Current concepts of the pathogenesis of endometriosis

Abstract

Endometriosis is a disease that causes the health of women of reproductive age to deteriorate. The implantation theory is the most widely accepted pathogenesis of the disease, although many points remain poorly understood concerning this theory. According to this theory, regurgitated endometrial debris has to go through various sequential events for the disease to develop. Recent studies have elucidated several aspects of these events. A remarkably reduced gene expression of GnRH II and an increase in uterine contraction-induced IL-8 secretion are suggested to be pathogenic changes in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. An increased level of osteoprotegerin in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis is suggested to impede tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis of endometriotic cells. An increase in the concentration of hepatocyte growth factor and a decrease in the concentration of interferon gamma-inducible protein-10 in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis may stimulate the angiogenesis and development of endometriosis. Midkine, the concentration of which is very high in the follicular fluid of the ovary, may stimulate the growth of endometriosis at the time of ovulation. Immune cells, such as macrophages, lymphocytes, mast cells, and neutrophils, in endometriotic lesions are suggested to play important roles in the progression of the disease. For example, IL-4 from Th2 cells, IL-17 from Th17 cells, tryptase from mast cells, and some serine proteases from neutrophils have been shown to stimulate endometriotic stromal cells, suggesting their specific roles in endometriosis. Interestingly, adiponectin, a key factor in metabolism, also appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. These novel findings sustain the current understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis. © 2009 Japan Society for Reproductive Medicine.