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Parke S, Gude K, Roth K, Messina F. Efficacy and safety of eliapixant in endometriosis-associated pelvic pain: the randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2b SCHUMANN study. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:353. [PMID: 38890641 PMCID: PMC11186168 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03188-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SCHUMANN study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the selective P2 × 3 antagonist eliapixant in patients with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain (EAPP). METHODS SCHUMANN was a randomized, placebo- and active comparator-controlled, double-blind to placebo and open-label to comparator, parallel-group, multicenter, dose-finding phase 2b study. The participants were women with surgically diagnosed endometriosis who fulfilled defined EAPP criteria. Participants were randomized 1:1:1:1 to twice daily (BID) 25 mg, 75 mg, or 150 mg oral eliapixant or a placebo for 12 weeks. An exploratory once-daily elagolix 150 mg treatment group was also included. The primary endpoint was the absolute change in mean worst EAPP from baseline to the end of intervention (EOI). RESULTS Overall, 215 participants were randomized for treatment (44 to eliapixant 25 mg, 44 to eliapixant 75 mg, 43 to eliapixant 150 mg, 43 to a placebo, and 41 to elagolix 150 mg). For safety reasons, the study was terminated early; both treatment and enrollment stopped immediately, producing less than 50% of the planned number of completers. The study found no significant differences in EAPP reduction from baseline between groups and no significant dose-response model. The elagolix 150 mg group showed better pain reduction than any of the other groups. No new safety signals were observed, relative to the previously known safety profile of eliapixant, which was generally well tolerated. However, one case of moderate and probably drug-induced liver injury in a participant receiving eliapixant 150 mg BID supported the association between eliapixant and a potential increase in liver function values, defined before the start of the phase 2 program. CONCLUSIONS This study did not meet its primary objective as no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences in changes of mean worst EAPP from baseline were observed between treatment groups. The single observed case of moderate, probably drug-induced liver injury was the second case in the eliapixant phase 2 program conducted in the following indications: refractory or unexplained chronic cough, diabetic neuropathic pain, overactive bladder, and EAPP. Due to this, the benefit-risk ratio for the study was no longer considered to be positive. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04614246; registered November 3, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Parke
- Research and Development, Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - Katrin Roth
- Research and Development, Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Istrate-Ofiţeru AM, Mogoantă CA, Zorilă GL, Roşu GC, Drăguşin RC, Berbecaru EIA, Zorilă MV, Comănescu CM, Mogoantă SȘ, Vaduva CC, Brătilă E, Iliescu DG. Clinical Characteristics and Local Histopathological Modulators of Endometriosis and Its Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1789. [PMID: 38339066 PMCID: PMC10855449 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (E) and adenomyosis (A) are associated with a wide spectrum of symptoms and may present various histopathological transformations, such as the presence of hyperplasia, atypia, and malignant transformation occurring under the influence of local inflammatory, vascular and hormonal factors and by the alteration of tumor suppressor proteins and the inhibition of cell apoptosis, with an increased degree of lesion proliferation. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 243 patients from whom tissue with E/A or normal control uterine tissue was harvested and stained by histochemical and classical immunohistochemical staining. We assessed the symptomatology of the patients, the structure of the ectopic epithelium and the presence of neovascularization, hormone receptors, inflammatory cells and oncoproteins involved in lesion development. Atypical areas were analyzed using multiple immunolabeling techniques. RESULTS The cytokeratin (CK) CK7+/CK20- expression profile was present in E foci and differentiated them from digestive metastases. The neovascularization marker cluster of differentiation (CD) 34+ was increased, especially in areas with malignant transformation of E or A foci. T:CD3+ lymphocytes, B:CD20+ lymphocytes, CD68+ macrophages and tryptase+ mast cells were abundant, especially in cases associated with malignant transformation, being markers of the proinflammatory microenvironment. In addition, we found a significantly increased cell division index (Ki67+), with transformation and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes p53, B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) and Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in areas with E/A-transformed malignancy. CONCLUSIONS Proinflammatory/vascular/hormonal changes trigger E/A progression and the onset of cellular atypia and malignant transformation, exacerbating symptoms, especially local pain and vaginal bleeding. These triggers may represent future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca-Maria Istrate-Ofiţeru
- Department of Histology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (A.-M.I.-O.); (G.-C.R.)
- Research Centre for Microscopic Morphology and Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency County Hospital, 200642 Craiova, Romania; (R.C.D.); (D.G.I.)
| | - Carmen Aurelia Mogoantă
- ENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - George-Lucian Zorilă
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency County Hospital, 200642 Craiova, Romania; (R.C.D.); (D.G.I.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Gabriela-Camelia Roşu
- Department of Histology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (A.-M.I.-O.); (G.-C.R.)
- Research Centre for Microscopic Morphology and Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Roxana Cristina Drăguşin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency County Hospital, 200642 Craiova, Romania; (R.C.D.); (D.G.I.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | | | - Marian Valentin Zorilă
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | | | | | - Constantin-Cristian Vaduva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Elvira Brătilă
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Dominic Gabriel Iliescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency County Hospital, 200642 Craiova, Romania; (R.C.D.); (D.G.I.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
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3
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Yin W, Li X, Liu P, Li Y, Liu J, Yu S, Tai S. Digestive system deep infiltrating endometriosis: What do we know. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:3649-3661. [PMID: 37632165 PMCID: PMC10718155 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Digestive system infiltrating endometriosis (DSIE) is an uncommon form of endometriosis in the digestive system. DSIE often occurs in the intestines (especially the sigmoid rectum), liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Clinically, DSIE presents with the same symptoms as endometriosis, including cyclic pain, bleeding and infertility, in addition to specific biliary/intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal bleeding. Compared to general endometriosis, DSIE has unique biological behaviour and pathophysiological mechanisms. Most DSIEs are deep invasive endometrioses, characterized by metastasis to the lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels, angiogenesis, peripheral nerve recruitment, fibrosis and invasion of surrounding tissues. DSIE-related peripheral angiogenesis is divided into three patterns: angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and inosculation. These patterns are regulated by interactions between multiple hypoxia-hormone cytokines. The nerve growth factors regulate the extensive neurofibril recruitment in DSIE lesions, which accounts for severe symptoms of deep pain. They are also associated with fibrosis and the aggressiveness of DSIE. Cyclic changes in DSIE lesions, recurrent inflammation and oxidative stress promote repeated tissue injury and repair (ReTIAR) mechanisms in the lesions, accelerating fibril formation and cancer-related mutations. Similar to malignant tumours, DSIE can also exhibit aggressiveness derived from collective cell migration mediated by E-cadherin and N-cadherin. This often makes DSIE misdiagnosed as a malignant tumour of the digestive system in clinical practice. In addition to surgery, novel treatments are urgently required to effectively eradicate this lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenze Yin
- Department of Hepatic SurgerySecond Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- Department of PathologySecond Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Peng Liu
- Laboratory of Medical GeneticsHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Yingjie Li
- Department of PathologySix Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of PathologySecond Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Shan Yu
- Department of PathologySecond Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Sheng Tai
- Department of Hepatic SurgerySecond Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
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Guan Q, Velho RV, Jordan A, Pommer S, Radde I, Sehouli J, Mechsner S. Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Opioid Peptide-Receptor Expression in the Endometriosis-Associated Nerve Fibers-Possible Treatment Option? Cells 2023; 12:1395. [PMID: 37408230 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting millions of women worldwide. Chronic pelvic pain is one of the main problems of this condition, leading to quality-of-life impairment. Currently, available treatment options are not able to treat these women accurately. A better understanding of the pain mechanisms would be beneficial to integrate additional therapeutic management strategies, especially specific analgesic options. To understand pain in more detail, nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor expression was analyzed in EM-associated nerve fibers (NFs) for the first time. Laparoscopically excised peritoneal samples from 94 symptomatic women (73 with EM and 21 controls) were immunohistochemically stained for NOP, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Peritoneal NFs of EM patients and healthy controls were positive for NOP and often colocalized with SP-, CGRP-, TH-, and VIP-positive nerve fibers, suggesting that NOP is expressed in sensory and autonomic nerve fibers. In addition, NOP expression was increased in EM associate NF. Our findings highlight the potential of NOP agonists, particularly in chronic EM-associated pain syndromes and deserve further study, as the efficacy of NOP-selective agonists in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihui Guan
- Endometriosis Research Center, Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Renata Voltolini Velho
- Endometriosis Research Center, Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alice Jordan
- Endometriosis Research Center, Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabrina Pommer
- Endometriosis Research Center, Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Irene Radde
- Endometriosis Research Center, Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jalid Sehouli
- Endometriosis Research Center, Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sylvia Mechsner
- Endometriosis Research Center, Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Lee GJ, Porreca F, Navratilova E. Prolactin and pain of endometriosis. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 247:108435. [PMID: 37169264 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Women experience chronic pain more often than men with some pain conditions being specific to women while others are more prevalent in women. Prolactin, a neuropeptide hormone with higher serum levels in women, has recently been demonstrated in preclinical studies to sensitize nociceptive sensory neurons in a sexually dimorphic manner. Dysregulation of prolactin and prolactin receptors may be responsible for increased pain especially in female predominant conditions such as migraine, fibromyalgia, and pelvic pain. In this review, we focus on the role of prolactin in endometriosis, a condition characterized by pelvic pain and infertility that affects a large proportion of women during their reproductive age. We discuss the symptoms and pathology of endometriosis and discuss how different sources of prolactin secretion may contribute to this disease. We highlight our current understanding of prolactin-mediated mechanisms of nociceptor sensitization in females and how this mechanism may apply to endometriosis. Lastly, we report the results of a systematic review of clinical studies conducted by searching the PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify association between endometriosis and blood levels of prolactin. The results of this search strongly indicate that serum prolactin levels are increased in patients with endometriosis and support the possibility that high levels of prolactin may promote pelvic pain in these patients and increase vulnerability to other comorbid pain conditions likely by dysregulating prolactin receptor expression. Targeting of prolactin and prolactin receptors may improve management of pain associated with endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace J Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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6
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Guo SW. Cracking the enigma of adenomyosis: an update on its pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Reproduction 2022; 164:R101-R121. [PMID: 36099328 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Traditionally viewed as enigmatic and elusive, adenomyosis is a fairly common gynecological disease but is under-recognized and under-researched. This review summarizes the latest development on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of adenomyosis, which have important implications for imaging diagnosis of the disease and for the development of non-hormonal therapeutics. Abstract Traditionally considered as an enigmatic disease, adenomyosis is a uterine disease that affects many women of reproductive age and is a contributing factor for pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), and subfertility. In this review, the new development in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of adenomyosis has been summarized, along with their clinical implications. After reviewing the progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis and describing the prevailing theories, in conjunction with their deficiencies, a new hypothesis, called endometrial-myometrial interface disruption (EMID), which is backed by extensive epidemiologic data and demonstrated by a mouse model, is reviewed, along with recent data implicating the role of Schwann cells in the EMI area in the genesis of adenomyosis. Additionally, the natural history of adenomyotic lesions is elaborated and underscores that, in essence, adenomyotic lesions are fundamentally wounds undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair (ReTIAR), which progress to fibrosis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation, and smooth muscle metaplasia. Increasing lesional fibrosis propagates into the neighboring EMI and endometrium. The increased endometrial fibrosis, with ensuing greater tissue stiffness, results in attenuated prostaglandin E2, hypoxia signaling and glycolysis, impairing endometrial repair and causing HMB. Compared with adenomyosis-associated HMB, the mechanisms underlying adenomyosis-associated pain are less understood but presumably involve increased uterine contractility, hyperinnervation, increased lesional production of pain mediators, and central sensitization. Viewed through the prism of ReTIAR, a new imaging technique can be used to diagnose adenomyosis more accurately and informatively and possibly help to choose the best treatment modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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7
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Miller JE, Lingegowda H, Symons LK, Bougie O, Young SL, Lessey BA, Koti M, Tayade C. IL-33 activates group 2 innate lymphoid cell expansion and modulates endometriosis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:149699. [PMID: 34699382 PMCID: PMC8675188 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation and localized alterations in immune cell function are suspected to contribute to the progression of endometriosis and its associated symptoms. In particular, the alarmin IL-33 is elevated in the plasma, peritoneal fluid, and endometriotic lesions from patients with endometriosis; however, the exact role of IL-33 in the pathophysiology of endometriosis is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate, in both humans and a murine model, that IL-33 contributes to the expansion of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), and this IL-33–induced ILC2 expansion modulates the endometriosis lesion microenvironment. Importantly, we show that IL-33 drives hallmarks of severe endometriosis, including elevated inflammation, lesion proliferation, and fibrosis, and that this IL-33–induced aggravation is mediated by ILC2s. Finally, we demonstrate the functionality of IL-33 neutralization as a promising and potentially novel therapeutic avenue for treating the debilitating symptoms of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Miller
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Lindsey K Symons
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olga Bougie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven L Young
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bruce A Lessey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Madhuri Koti
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chandrakant Tayade
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Velho RV, Taube E, Sehouli J, Mechsner S. Neurogenic Inflammation in the Context of Endometriosis-What Do We Know? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313102. [PMID: 34884907 PMCID: PMC8658724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM) is an estrogen-dependent disease characterized by the presence of epithelial, stromal, and smooth muscle cells outside the uterine cavity. It is a chronic and debilitating condition affecting ~10% of women. EM is characterized by infertility and pain, such as dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysuria, and dyschezia. Although EM was first described in 1860, its aetiology and pathogenesis remain uncertain. Recent evidence demonstrates that the peripheral nervous system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of this disease. Sensory nerves, which surround and innervate endometriotic lesions, not only drive the chronic and debilitating pain associated with EM but also contribute to a growth phenotype by secreting neurotrophic factors and interacting with surrounding immune cells. Here we review the role that peripheral nerves play in driving and maintaining endometriotic lesions. A better understanding of the role of this system, as well as its interactions with immune cells, will unearth novel disease-relevant pathways and targets, providing new therapeutics and better-tailored treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Voltolini Velho
- Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Endometriosis Research Center Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (R.V.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Eliane Taube
- Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Jalid Sehouli
- Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Endometriosis Research Center Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (R.V.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Sylvia Mechsner
- Department of Gynecology Charité with Center of Oncological Surgery, Endometriosis Research Center Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (R.V.V.); (J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-030-450664866
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The deep infiltrating endometriosis tissue has lower T-cadherin, E-cadherin, progesterone receptor and oestrogen receptor than endometrioma tissue. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 60:1059-1065. [PMID: 34794738 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2021.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the T-cadherin, E-cadherin, PR and ER staining levels of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) tissue, ovarian endometriomas and normal endometrial tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS DIE tissue of 24 cases, endometrioma of 30 cases and normal endometrial tissues of 30 cases were examined. T-cadherin, E-cadherin, ER-α and PR-α staining levels of DIE, endometrioma tissues and endometrial tissues were compared immunohistochemically. H-score was calculated to compare the expression of T-cadherin, E-cadherin, ER-α, PR-α in IHC staining based on the percentage of cells stained at each intensity level. RESULTS T-cadherin, E-cadherin, ER and PR H-score were found lowest in DIE tissue and the highest in endometrial tissue (p < 0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001 and < 0.0001, respectively). In correlation analysis, a positive correlation was found between T-cadherin, E-cadherin, PR and ER H-score (p < 0.0001 for each). No correlation was found between age, body mass index (BMI), visual analog scale (VAS) score, CA125, endometrioma size and the severity of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and dystonia (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION T-cadherin, E-cadherin, ER and PR H-score were found lowest in DIE tissue, the highest in endometrium tissue. The finding of lower expression of PR-α in endometriotic nodule in our study may be related to decrease in progesterone effect which could not inhibit the decrease in the expression of T-cadherin and E-cadherin, thus the invasiveness of DIE tissue. These findings suggest that DIE tissue and ovarian endometrioma tissues have a different biology.
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Eliapixant is a selective P2X3 receptor antagonist for the treatment of disorders associated with hypersensitive nerve fibers. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19877. [PMID: 34615939 PMCID: PMC8494816 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99177-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP-dependent P2X3 receptors play a crucial role in the sensitization of nerve fibers and pathological pain pathways. They are also involved in pathways triggering cough and may contribute to the pathophysiology of endometriosis and overactive bladder. However, despite the strong therapeutic rationale for targeting P2X3 receptors, preliminary antagonists have been hampered by off-target effects, including severe taste disturbances associated with blocking the P2X2/3 receptor heterotrimer. Here we present a P2X3 receptor antagonist, eliapixant (BAY 1817080), which is both highly potent and selective for P2X3 over other P2X subtypes in vitro, including P2X2/3. We show that eliapixant reduces inflammatory pain in relevant animal models. We also provide the first in vivo experimental evidence that P2X3 antagonism reduces neurogenic inflammation, a phenomenon hypothesised to contribute to several diseases, including endometriosis. To test whether eliapixant could help treat endometriosis, we confirmed P2X3 expression on nerve fibers innervating human endometriotic lesions. We then demonstrate that eliapixant reduces vaginal hyperalgesia in an animal model of endometriosis-associated dyspareunia, even beyond treatment cessation. Our findings indicate that P2X3 antagonism could alleviate pain, including non-menstrual pelvic pain, and modify the underlying disease pathophysiology in women with endometriosis. Eliapixant is currently under clinical development for the treatment of disorders associated with hypersensitive nerve fibers.
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Zomer MT, Kondo W, Cavalcanti TCS, Von Linsigen R, Ferreira LRG, Carranco RC, Trippia CH, Kulak J. Assessment of Nerve Fiber Density and Expression of Hormonal Receptors Within Rectosigmoid Endometriosis Nodules. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2021; 29:265-273. [PMID: 34411730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess nerve fiber density and expression of hormone receptors in bowel endometriosis. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Private hospital. PATIENTS Women with endometriosis undergoing laparoscopic segmental bowel resection (n = 54). INTERVENTIONS Tissue samples were obtained from patients with surgically treated rectosigmoid endometriosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The rectosigmoid specimen containing the endometriosis nodule was manually sectioned and divided into 3 areas: core of the nodule, margin of the nodule, and healthy bowel tissue. The intensity of expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and measured according to the Allred score. Nerve fibers were stained by immunohistochemistry using Protein Gene Product 9.5, and the density of nerve fillets was counted and expressed in number/mm². All glandular and stromal cells stained for estrogen; however, glandular cells stained more strongly than stromal cells (61.1% vs 35.2%; p = .01). Most of glandular and stromal cells stained strongly for progesterone receptors (90.7% vs 98.1%; p = .2). The density of nerve fibers was very high in the margin of the nodule (172.22±45.66/mm²), moderate in healthy bowel tissue (111.48±48.57/mm²), and very low in the core of the nodule (7.31±4.9/mm²); p = .01. CONCLUSION Both glandular and stromal cells within the rectosigmoid endometriosis nodule express estrogen and progesterone receptors. Higher intensity of expression of estrogen receptors occurs in glandular cells. The density of nerve fibers is extremely high at the nodule margin and very low in the center of the nodule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Tessmann Zomer
- Gynecology Department, CEAGIC (Center for Advanced Gynecology Surgery) at Vita Batel Hospital, Rua Angelo Sampaio (Drs. Zomer, Kondo, and Carranco); Neopath, Avenida Vicente Machado (Dr. Cavalcanti); Gynecology Department, Clinics Hospital from the Federal University of Parana, Rua General Carneiro (Drs. Linsigen, Ferreira, and Kulak); Instituto de Roentgen Diagnósticos, Rua Mal. Deodoro (Dr. Trippia), Curitiba, Brazil.
| | - William Kondo
- Gynecology Department, CEAGIC (Center for Advanced Gynecology Surgery) at Vita Batel Hospital, Rua Angelo Sampaio (Drs. Zomer, Kondo, and Carranco); Neopath, Avenida Vicente Machado (Dr. Cavalcanti); Gynecology Department, Clinics Hospital from the Federal University of Parana, Rua General Carneiro (Drs. Linsigen, Ferreira, and Kulak); Instituto de Roentgen Diagnósticos, Rua Mal. Deodoro (Dr. Trippia), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Teresa Cristina Santos Cavalcanti
- Gynecology Department, CEAGIC (Center for Advanced Gynecology Surgery) at Vita Batel Hospital, Rua Angelo Sampaio (Drs. Zomer, Kondo, and Carranco); Neopath, Avenida Vicente Machado (Dr. Cavalcanti); Gynecology Department, Clinics Hospital from the Federal University of Parana, Rua General Carneiro (Drs. Linsigen, Ferreira, and Kulak); Instituto de Roentgen Diagnósticos, Rua Mal. Deodoro (Dr. Trippia), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Renate Von Linsigen
- Gynecology Department, CEAGIC (Center for Advanced Gynecology Surgery) at Vita Batel Hospital, Rua Angelo Sampaio (Drs. Zomer, Kondo, and Carranco); Neopath, Avenida Vicente Machado (Dr. Cavalcanti); Gynecology Department, Clinics Hospital from the Federal University of Parana, Rua General Carneiro (Drs. Linsigen, Ferreira, and Kulak); Instituto de Roentgen Diagnósticos, Rua Mal. Deodoro (Dr. Trippia), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Luiz Rodrigo Guimaraes Ferreira
- Gynecology Department, CEAGIC (Center for Advanced Gynecology Surgery) at Vita Batel Hospital, Rua Angelo Sampaio (Drs. Zomer, Kondo, and Carranco); Neopath, Avenida Vicente Machado (Dr. Cavalcanti); Gynecology Department, Clinics Hospital from the Federal University of Parana, Rua General Carneiro (Drs. Linsigen, Ferreira, and Kulak); Instituto de Roentgen Diagnósticos, Rua Mal. Deodoro (Dr. Trippia), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ramiro Cabrera Carranco
- Gynecology Department, CEAGIC (Center for Advanced Gynecology Surgery) at Vita Batel Hospital, Rua Angelo Sampaio (Drs. Zomer, Kondo, and Carranco); Neopath, Avenida Vicente Machado (Dr. Cavalcanti); Gynecology Department, Clinics Hospital from the Federal University of Parana, Rua General Carneiro (Drs. Linsigen, Ferreira, and Kulak); Instituto de Roentgen Diagnósticos, Rua Mal. Deodoro (Dr. Trippia), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Trippia
- Gynecology Department, CEAGIC (Center for Advanced Gynecology Surgery) at Vita Batel Hospital, Rua Angelo Sampaio (Drs. Zomer, Kondo, and Carranco); Neopath, Avenida Vicente Machado (Dr. Cavalcanti); Gynecology Department, Clinics Hospital from the Federal University of Parana, Rua General Carneiro (Drs. Linsigen, Ferreira, and Kulak); Instituto de Roentgen Diagnósticos, Rua Mal. Deodoro (Dr. Trippia), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Jaime Kulak
- Gynecology Department, CEAGIC (Center for Advanced Gynecology Surgery) at Vita Batel Hospital, Rua Angelo Sampaio (Drs. Zomer, Kondo, and Carranco); Neopath, Avenida Vicente Machado (Dr. Cavalcanti); Gynecology Department, Clinics Hospital from the Federal University of Parana, Rua General Carneiro (Drs. Linsigen, Ferreira, and Kulak); Instituto de Roentgen Diagnósticos, Rua Mal. Deodoro (Dr. Trippia), Curitiba, Brazil
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Xu X, Cai X, Liu X, Guo SW. Possible involvement of neuropeptide and neurotransmitter receptors in Adenomyosis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:25. [PMID: 33602248 PMCID: PMC7893711 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00711-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating data indicate that sensory nerve derived neuropeptides such as substance P and calcitonin gene related-protein (CGRP) can accelerate the progression of endometriosis via their respective receptors, so can agonists to their respective receptors receptor 1 (NK1R), receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP-1) and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR). Adrenergic β2 receptor (ADRB2) agonists also can facilitate lesional progression. In contrast, women with endometriosis appear to have depressed vagal activity, concordant with reduced expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). The roles of these receptors in adenomyosis are completely unknown. METHODS Adenomyotic tissue samples from 30 women with adenomyosis and control endometrial tissue samples from 24 women without adenomyosis were collected and subjected to immunohistochemistry analysis of RAMP1, CRLR, NK1R, ADRB2 and α7nAChR, along with their demographic and clinical information. The extent of tissue fibrosis was evaluated by Masson trichrome staining. RESULTS We found that the staining levels of NK1R, CRLR, RAMP1 and ADRB2 were all significantly elevated in adenomyotic lesions as compared with control endometrium. In contrast, α7nAChR staining levels were significantly reduced. The severity of dysmenorrhea correlated positively with lesional ADRB2 staining levels. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that SP, CGRP and noradrenaline may promote, while acetylcholine may stall, the progression of adenomyosis through their respective receptors on adenomyotic lesions. Additionally, through the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-sympatho-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axes and the lesional overexpression of ADRB2, adenomyosis-associated dysmenorrhea and adenomyotic lesions may be mutually promotional, forming a viscous feed-forward cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ningbo No. 7 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315200, China
| | - Xianjun Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ningbo No. 7 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315200, China
| | - Xishi Liu
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Reduced vagal tone in women with endometriosis and auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential therapeutic approach. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1345. [PMID: 33446725 PMCID: PMC7809474 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79750-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory and sympathetic nerves have been shown to promote the progression of endometriosis through the release of neuromediators and the lesional activation of respective receptors. The role of vagus nerves (VN) in lesional progression, however, is completely unclear, despite the signs suggestive of increased sympathetic tone in women with endometriosis. This study was undertaken to investigate whether VN plays any role in the progression of endometriosis. We recruited 45 patients with endometriosis and 42 healthy women, who were given electrocardiogram test and their heart rate variability was evaluated. In addition, three prospective, and randomized mouse experiments were conducted that evaluated, respectively, the effect of vagotomy, the effect of VN stimulation (VNS), and the therapeutic potential of VNS after the endometriosis was well established. All lesions were excised, weighed, and processed for immunohistochemistry and histochemistry analysis of select markers for lesional progression and fibrosis. We found that endometriosis patients exhibited reduced vagal activity as compared with controls, indicative of disrupted autonomic balance. Vagotomy increased while VNS decreased the lesion weight as compared with control mice, concomitant with more progressive and retarded lesion development and fibrogenesis, respectively. In addition, VNS demonstrated promising therapeutic effect, as evidenced by significantly reduced lesion weight, more attenuated lesional progression concomitant with improved hyperalgesia. Taken together, our data indicate that VN activity may play a dampening role in the progression of endometriosis. Consequently, boosting the VN activity may have therapeutic potentials for patients with endometriosis.
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Ding S, Guo X, Zhu L, Wang J, Li T, Yu Q, Zhang X. Macrophage-derived netrin-1 contributes to endometriosis-associated pain. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:29. [PMID: 33553322 PMCID: PMC7859736 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-2161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Endometriosis-associated pain can be considered a type of neuropathic pain. Netrin-1 is an axon guidance cue that regulates axonal attraction or rejection in neural injury and regeneration. However, whether netrin-1 plays a role in endometriosis-associated pain remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the role of netrin-1 in endometriosis-related pain. Methods Peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid, and endometrial tissues were sampled from women with (n=37) and without endometriosis (n=23). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were used to stimulate human monocytic cell lines (THP-1) and rat alveolar macrophage-derived cell lines (NR8383) to induce M1 phenotype macrophages. Serum netrin-1 concentrations, endometrial expression levels of netrin-1, and its receptors including deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC), A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR), uncoordinated B receptor (UNC5B), uncoordinated C receptor (UNC5C) and Down’s syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM) were assessed. The polarization phenotypes of the peritoneal macrophages were identified by detecting the marker expression of M1/M2 macrophages via flow cytometry. The expression levels of M1 markers and netrin-1 in THP-1/NR8383 cells were determined. Results The expression levels of netrin-1 in serum and endometriotic lesions were significantly higher in women with endometriosis, and were positively correlated with the severity of endometriosis-associated pain. Netrin-1 was co-expressed with CD68 (a macrophage marker) in endometriotic lesions and was synthesized and secreted by THP-1 and NR8383 cells in the process of M1 polarization. In women with endometriosis, peritoneal macrophages were polarized towards the M1 phenotype. In addition, increased expression of DCC and A2BAR, and decreased expression of UNC5B, UNC5C and DSCAM were found in endometriotic lesions. Conclusions These results suggest that netrin-1 production by macrophages in endometriotic lesions may play an important role in endometriosis-associated pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojie Ding
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyue Guo
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Libo Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianzhang Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tiantian Li
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qin Yu
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinmei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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15
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Yan D, Liu X, Xu H, Guo SW. Mesothelial Cells Participate in Endometriosis Fibrogenesis Through Platelet-Induced Mesothelial-Mesenchymal Transition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5894452. [PMID: 32813013 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT While fibrosis in endometriosis has recently loomed prominently, the sources of myofibroblasts, the principal effector cell in fibrotic diseases, remain largely obscure. Mesothelial cells (MCs) can be converted into myofibroblasts through mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT) in many fibrotic diseases and adhesion. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether MCs contribute to the progression and fibrogenesis in endometriosis through MMT. SETTING, DESIGN, PATIENTS, INTERVENTION, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Dual immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against calretinin, Wilms' tumor-1 (WT-1), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were performed on lesion samples from 30 patients each with ovarian endometrioma (OE) and deep endometriosis (DE), and 30 normal endometrial (NE) tissue samples. Human pleural and peritoneal MCs were co-cultured with activated platelets or control medium with and without neutralization of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and/or platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and their morphology, proliferation, and expression levels of genes and proteins known to be involved in MMT were evaluated, along with their migratory and invasive propensity, contractility, and collagen production. RESULTS The number of calretinin/WT-1 and α-SMA dual-positive fibroblasts in OE/DE lesions was significantly higher than NE samples. The extent of lesional fibrosis correlated positively with the lesional α-SMA staining levels. Human MCs co-cultured with activated platelets acquire a morphology suggestive of MMT, concomitant with increased proliferation, loss of calretinin expression, and marked increase in expression of mesenchymal markers. These changes coincided with functional differentiation as reflected by increased migratory and invasive capacity, contractility, and collagen production. Neutralization of TGF-β1 and PDGFR signaling abolished platelet-induced MMT in MCs. CONCLUSIONS MCs contribute to lesional progression and fibrosis through platelet-induced MMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingmin Yan
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xishi Liu
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Maddern J, Grundy L, Castro J, Brierley SM. Pain in Endometriosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:590823. [PMID: 33132854 PMCID: PMC7573391 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.590823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic and debilitating condition affecting ∼10% of women. Endometriosis is characterized by infertility and chronic pelvic pain, yet treatment options remain limited. In many respects this is related to an underlying lack of knowledge of the etiology and mechanisms contributing to endometriosis-induced pain. Whilst many studies focus on retrograde menstruation, and the formation and development of lesions in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, the mechanisms underlying the associated pain remain poorly described. Here we review the recent clinical and experimental evidence of the mechanisms contributing to chronic pain in endometriosis. This includes the roles of inflammation, neurogenic inflammation, neuroangiogenesis, peripheral sensitization and central sensitization. As endometriosis patients are also known to have co-morbidities such as irritable bowel syndrome and overactive bladder syndrome, we highlight how common nerve pathways innervating the colon, bladder and female reproductive tract can contribute to co-morbidity via cross-organ sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Maddern
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Luke Grundy
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Joel Castro
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stuart M. Brierley
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Yong PJ, Bedaiwy MA, Alotaibi F, Anglesio MS. Pathogenesis of bowel endometriosis. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2020; 71:2-13. [PMID: 32646752 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of bowel endometriosis is multifactorial. There is a predilection for disease of the rectum/sigmoid colon because refluxed endometrium is more likely to settle in the pouch of Douglas and its movement is delimited by the sigmoid colon, in addition to the close proximity of the rectum/sigmoid to posterior extrinsic uterine adenomyosis and to ovarian endometriomas. Once situated, deep bowel endometriosis has features of invasion, angiogenesis, and fibrosis (repeated tissue injury and repair), with emerging research on oxidative stress and the microbiome. Furthermore, deep bowel endometriosis is associated with neurogenesis and/or the recruitment of local nerve fibers and is capable of invading existing nerves, which in turn may also promote fibrosis. Recently, somatic cancer driver mutations (e.g., in KRAS) were identified in deep bowel endometriosis, which may play a role in the genetic/epigenetic theory of endometriosis. In the future, it is possible that bowel endometriosis could be classified based on molecular features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Yong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, F2 - 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3N1, Canada.
| | - Mohamed A Bedaiwy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, F2 - 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3N1, Canada.
| | - Fahad Alotaibi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, F2 - 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3N1, Canada.
| | - Michael S Anglesio
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, 275 - 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6, Canada.
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18
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Yan D, Liu X, Guo SW. The establishment of a mouse model of deep endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:235-247. [PMID: 30561644 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to establish a mouse model of deep endometriosis (DE)? SUMMARY ANSWER A mouse DE model that is macroscopically and microscopically similar to nodular lesions in humans can be constructed in as short as 3 weeks by intraperitoneal injection of uterine fragments along with the infusion of substance P (SP) and/or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although a baboon DE model was reported 5 years ago, its prohibitive cost and demand for facilities and expertise associated with the use of non-human primates put its use out of reach for most laboratories. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A total of 48 female Balb/C mice were used for this study. Among them, 16 were randomly selected as donors that contributed uterine fragments, and the remaining 32 were recipient mice. The mice with induced endometriosis were followed up for 3-4 weeks. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS One day before the induction of endometriosis by intraperitoneal injection of uterine fragments, osmotic pumps were inserted into equal groups of recipient mice to infuse either sterile saline, SP, CGRP, or both SP and CGRP. The hotplate test was administrated to all mice at the baseline and before and after induction of endometriosis. Four (3 for the SP+CGRP group) weeks after induction, all mice were sacrificed. Their endometriotic lesions were excised, weighed and processed for histopathologic examination, and histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses of markers of proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (FMT), smooth muscle metaplasia (SMM), mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT) and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) were done. The extent of lesional fibrosis was evaluated by Masson trichrome staining. To further evaluate surrounding organ/tissue invasion, the peritoneal areas adhesive to the lesions were excised for immunohistochemical analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Endometriotic lesions in mice treated with SP and/or CGRP satisfied all requirements for DE, i.e. presence of endometrial epithelial and stromal cells, abundance of fibromuscular content, and encapsulation in surrounding tissues or organs. The lesion weight in the CGRP, SP and SP+CGRP groups was 1.62, 2.14 and 2.18-fold, respectively, heavier than that of control group. Concomitantly, the SP, CGRP and SP+CGRP groups had significantly shorter hotplate latency than that of control group. Lesions in mice treated with SP and/or CGRP, especially with SP+CGRP, exhibited characteristics consistent with EMT, FMT, SMM and extensive fibrosis, along with signs of MMT and EndoMT. Lesional invasion into surrounding tissues/organs was found to be 25.0, 75.0 and 87.5% in mice treated with CGRP, SP and SP+CGRP, but none in control mice. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study is limited by the use of histologic and immunohistochemistry analyses only and lacks molecular data. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The establishment of a mouse DE model supports the idea that endometriotic lesions are wounds undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair and underscores the importance of microenvironments in shaping the lesions' destiny. In addition, signs consistent with MMT and EndoMT indicate that there may be more culpable factors that still remain unidentified and should be pursued in the future. Moreover, the close correlation between the extent of lesional fibrosis and markers of EMT, MMT, EndoMT, FMT and SMM as shown here should facilitate our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the DE pathophysiology. Since this DE model is based on a biologically plausible and evidence-backed theory, it should shed much needed insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of DE. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by Grants 81471434 (S.W.G.), 81530040 (S.W.G.), 81771553 (S.W.G.), 81671436 (X.S.L.) and 81871144 (X.S.L.) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. None of the authors has any conflict of interest to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingmin Yan
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xishi Liu
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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19
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Reis FM, Coutinho LM, Vannuccini S, Batteux F, Chapron C, Petraglia F. Progesterone receptor ligands for the treatment of endometriosis: the mechanisms behind therapeutic success and failure. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:565-585. [PMID: 32412587 PMCID: PMC7317284 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite intense research, it remains intriguing why hormonal therapies in general and progestins in particular sometimes fail in endometriosis. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We review here the action mechanisms of progesterone receptor ligands in endometriosis, identify critical differences between the effects of progestins on normal endometrium and endometriosis and envisage pathways to escape drug resistance and improve the therapeutic response of endometriotic lesions to such treatments. SEARCH METHODS We performed a systematic Pubmed search covering articles published since 1958 about the use of progestins, estro-progestins and selective progesterone receptor modulators, to treat endometriosis and its related symptoms. Two reviewers screened the titles and abstracts to select articles for full-text assessment. OUTCOMES Progesterone receptor signalling leads to down-regulation of estrogen receptors and restrains local estradiol production through interference with aromatase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Progestins inhibit cell proliferation, inflammation, neovascularisation and neurogenesis in endometriosis. However, progesterone receptor expression is reduced and disrupted in endometriotic lesions, with predominance of the less active isoform (PRA) over the full-length, active isoform (PRB), due to epigenetic abnormalities affecting the PGR gene transcription. Oxidative stress is another mechanism involved in progesterone resistance in endometriosis. Among the molecular targets of progesterone in the normal endometrium that resist progestin action in endometriotic cells are the nuclear transcription factor FOXO1, matrix metalloproteinases, the transmembrane gap junction protein connexin 43 and paracrine regulators of estradiol metabolism. Compared to other phenotypes, deep endometriosis appears to be more resistant to size regression upon medical treatments. Individual genetic characteristics can affect the bioavailability and pharmacodynamics of hormonal drugs used to treat endometriosis and, hence, explain part of the variability in the therapeutic response. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Medical treatment of endometriosis needs urgent innovation, which should start by deeper understanding of the disease core features and diverse phenotypes and idiosyncrasies, while moving from pure hormonal treatments to drug combinations or novel molecules capable of restoring the various homeostatic mechanisms disrupted by endometriotic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando M Reis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre (HUPC), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Cochin, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Larissa M Coutinho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Vannuccini
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre (HUPC), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Batteux
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Charles Chapron
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre (HUPC), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Cochin, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Maharajaa SPK, Asally R, Markham R, Manconi F. Endometriotic lesions. JOURNAL OF ENDOMETRIOSIS AND PELVIC PAIN DISORDERS 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/2284026519838748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a complex gynaecological condition affecting women of reproductive age. It is characterised by the presence of lesions containing endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. The disease is typically associated with pelvic pain (including dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia), infertility and bowel-related symptoms. Endometriotic lesions have a highly variable presentation and most commonly occur in the abdominal cavity. These lesions are broadly classified into peritoneal, ovarian and deep infiltrating endometriosis. There have been observations of increased density of nerve fibres and neurological molecules in the endometriotic lesions compared to the uninvolved peritoneum of women without endometriosis and the presence of unmyelinated nerve fibres were higher near the glands. The lesion sites are characterised by a range of immunological alterations, and specific immune cell populations have also been known to synthesise and secrete neurogenic factors. Endometriotic lesions are capable of producing prostaglandins which are direct generators of pain and are capable of inducing inflammation. Diagnosing the disease involves direct visualisation of the lesions through a laparoscopic or laparotomy, which is followed by histopathological examination of biopsied or excised lesions. The staging of endometriosis due to its complexity is highly variable as presentation and gaps in knowledge pose a great challenge in the classification of the disease. The medical management of endometriosis aims at providing adequate analgesia and suppression of the activity of the lesion. A better understanding of endometriotic lesion relationships between innervations and specific clinical characteristics may elucidate aspects of pain mechanisms and infertility in endometriosis and facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sri PK Maharajaa
- Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Razan Asally
- Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert Markham
- Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Frank Manconi
- Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Ferrero S, Vellone VG, Barra F. Pathophysiology of pain in patients with peritoneal endometriosis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:S8. [PMID: 31032289 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.01.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Ferrero
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valerio Gaetano Vellone
- Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Barra
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Yan D, Liu X, Guo SW. Neuropeptides Substance P and Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide Accelerate the Development and Fibrogenesis of Endometriosis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2698. [PMID: 30804432 PMCID: PMC6389969 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39170-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriotic lesions are known to be hyperinnervated, especially in lesions of deep endometriosis (DE), which are frequently in close proximity to various nerve plexuses. DE lesions typically have higher fibromuscular content than that of ovarian endometriomas (OE) lesions, but the underlying reason remains elusive. Aside from their traditional role of pain transduction, however, whether or not sensory nerves play any role in the development of endometriosis is unclear. Here, we show that, thorough their respective receptors neurokinin receptor 1 (NK1R), calcitonin receptor like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP-1), neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (FMT) and further turn stromal cells into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in endometriotic lesions, resulting ultimately in fibrosis. We show that SP and CGRP, or the rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) supernatant, through the induction of NK1R and CGRP/CRLR/RAMP-1 signaling pathways, promoted EMT, FMT and SMM in endometriosis, resulting in increased migratory and invasive propensity, cell contractility, production of collagen, and eventually to fibrosis. Neutralization of NK1R and/or CGRP/CRLR/RAMP-1 abrogated these processes. Extended exposure of endometriotic stromal cells to SP and/or CGRP or the DRG supernatant induced increased expression of α-SMA, desmin, oxytocin receptor, and smooth muscle myosin heavy-chain. Finally, we show that DE lesions had significantly higher nerve fiber density, increased staining levels of α-SMA, NK1R, CRLR, and RAMP-1, concomitant with higher lesional fibrotic content than that of OE lesions. The extent of lesional fibrosis correlated positively with the staining levels of NK1R, CRLR, and RAMP-1, as well as the nerve fiber density in lesions. Thus, this study provides another piece of evidence that sensory nerves play an important role in promoting the development and fibrogenesis of endometriosis. It explains as why DE frequently have higher fibromuscular content than that of OE, highlights the importance of lesional microenvironment in shaping the lesional fate, gives more credence to the idea that ectopic endometrium is fundamentally wounds that go through repeated tissue injury and repair, and should shed much needed light into the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingmin Yan
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xishi Liu
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Barrera Villa Zevallos H, Markham R, Manconi F. The nervous system and genomics in endometriosis. JOURNAL OF ENDOMETRIOSIS AND PELVIC PAIN DISORDERS 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/2284026518813487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a gynaecological disease that occurs in approximately 10% to 15% of women of reproductive age and up to 47% of infertile women. The presence of implants of endometrial-like glands and stroma outside the uterus, characteristic of this disease, induce a wide variety of symptoms, mainly pelvic pain and infertility. Women suffering from this condition experience great distress, which significantly affects their quality of life. Numerous studies attempting to decipher the pathogenic mechanisms of endometriosis have been conducted around the world, yet its aetiology still remains unknown. It is widely believed that in women with endometriosis, the endometrium has characteristic features that allow the formation of implants once fragments have entered the peritoneal cavity through retrograde menstruation. Furthermore, a strong genetic tendency to develop the disease has been reported among patients and first-degree relatives. Thanks to the recent technological advances achieved in genomics and bioinformatics, a number of studies have had the potential to analyse several aspects of the pathogenesis of endometriosis from a genetic perspective. Due to the recent identification of nerve fibres in the endometrium of women with endometriosis, research on the neurogenesis of the disease has increased in the past few years. However, the genetic aspects of nerve growth in endometriosis have not been analysed in depth and further research providing important insights into the mechanisms that mediate pain in affected patients has the potential to contribute substantially to the future management of the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Markham
- Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Frank Manconi
- Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Bourlev V, Moberg C, Ilyasova N, Davey E, Kunovac Kallak T, Olovsson M. Vasoactive intestinal peptide is upregulated in women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 80:e12857. [PMID: 29675846 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) causes compromised the quality of life in women with endometriosis and is often attributed to local inflammation and ingrowth of nerve fibers. In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate whether the inflammation-related vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and interleukin (IL)-6 were increased in affected patients. METHOD OF STUDY Endometrial and endometriotic tissue biopsy specimens, and serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) samples, were obtained from 85 endometriosis patients and 53 controls. VIP and IL-6 analysis and measurement of microvessel density in tissue were performed using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and ELISA. RESULTS Compared with controls, VIP transcript and protein levels were increased in endometrium from endometriosis patients and further elevated in patients with CPP. In addition, microvessel density, a measurement of angiogenic activity, was increased in the endometrium and in endometriosis lesions in the same subset of patients. Serum and PF levels of VIP and IL-6 were higher in women with endometriosis and CPP compared with endometriosis patients who reported no chronic pain. CONCLUSION Vasoactive intestinal peptide is upregulated in endometriosis patients reporting chronic pain. Increased microvessel density in tissue and peritoneal fluid concentrations of IL-6 indicate an elevated inflammation in the pelvic microenvironment of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Bourlev
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V. I. Kulakov of Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Christian Moberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Natalia Ilyasova
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V. I. Kulakov of Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Eva Davey
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Matts Olovsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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25
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Postmenopausal Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis of the Colon: Rare Location and Novel Medical Therapy. Case Rep Gastrointest Med 2018; 2018:9587536. [PMID: 29666722 PMCID: PMC5832128 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9587536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We report an uncommon case of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the colon presenting as iron deficiency anemia nine years after hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The endometrial implant was found at the hepatic flexure, an exceedingly rare location for endometriosis invasion with no cases distinctly reported in the literature. Additionally, the presentation of gastrointestinal endometriosis as iron deficiency anemia is not well documented in the literature. Instead of surgery, we prescribed a novel medical therapeutic approach using conjugated estrogen-bazedoxifene to antagonize the proliferative effects of estrogen on endometrial tissue. After five months of therapy and repeat colonoscopy, no evidence of endometrial tissue remained in the hepatic flexure.
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Chakrabarty A, Liao Z, Mu Y, Smith PG. Inflammatory Renin-Angiotensin System Disruption Attenuates Sensory Hyperinnervation and Mechanical Hypersensitivity in a Rat Model of Provoked Vestibulodynia. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2017; 19:264-277. [PMID: 29155208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Vestibulodynia is characterized by perivaginal mechanical hypersensitivity, hyperinnervation, and abundant inflammatory cells expressing renin-angiotensin system proteins. We developed a tractable rat model of vestibulodynia to further assess the contributions of the renin-angiotensin system. Complete Freund's adjuvant injected into the posterior vestibule induced marked vestibular hypersensitivity throughout a 7-day test period. Numbers of axons immunoreactive for PGP9.5, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and GFRα2 were increased. Numbers of macrophages and T cells were also increased whereas B cells were not. Renin-angiotensin-associated proteins were abundant, with T cells as well as macrophages contributing to increased renin and angiotensinogen. Media conditioned with inflamed vestibular tissue promoted neurite sprouting by rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro, and this was blocked by the angiotensin II receptor type 2 receptor antagonist PD123319 or by an angiotensin II function blocking antibody. Sensory axon sprouting induced by inflamed tissue was dependent on activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme or chymase, but not cathepsin G. Thus, vestibular Complete Freund's adjuvant injection substantially recapitulates changes seen in patients with provoked vestibulodynia, and shows that manipulation of the local inflammatory renin-angiotensin system may be a useful therapeutic strategy. PERSPECTIVE This study provides evidence that inflammation of the rat vestibule induces a phenotype recapitulating behavioral and cytological features of human vestibulodynia. The model confirms a crucial role of the local inflammatory renin-angiotensin system in hypersensitivity and hyperinnervation. Targeting this system holds promise for developing new nonopioid analgesic treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Chakrabarty
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Zhaohui Liao
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Ying Mu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Peter G Smith
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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Cuevas M, Cruz ML, Ramirez AE, Flores I, Thompson KJ, Bayona M, Vernon MW, Appleyard CB. Stress During Development of Experimental Endometriosis Influences Nerve Growth and Disease Progression. Reprod Sci 2017; 25:347-357. [PMID: 29108503 DOI: 10.1177/1933719117737846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We have previously shown that stress prior to induction worsens clinical presentation and inflammatory parameters in a rat model of endometriosis. This study was designed to examine whether stress during the development of endometriosis can affect the growth of endometriotic implants through nerve growth and immune alterations. METHODS Endometriosis was surgically induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by suturing uterine horn implants onto the small intestine mesentery. Two weeks later, one group of rats (endo-stress) was subjected to a 10-day swim stress protocol. Controls had no stress (endo-no stress) or sutures only and stress (sham-stress). On day 60, all rats were killed and examined for the presence of endometriotic vesicles. The size of each vesicle was measured. The uterus and colon were removed and assessed for damage, cell infiltration, and expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), its receptors (p75 and Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (Trk-A)/pTrk-A), and calcitonin gene-related peptide, a sensory fiber marker. A differential analysis of peritoneal fluid white blood cell count was performed. RESULTS Stress significantly increased endometriotic vesicle size but not colonic damage and increased infiltration of mast cells. Significantly increased expression of NGF and its receptors was found in the uterus of animals with endometriosis receiving stress. CONCLUSIONS Stress stimulates the development of ectopic endometrial vesicles in an animal model of endometriosis and increases inflammatory cell recruitment to the peritoneum. In addition, stress promotes nerve fiber growth in the uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marielly Cuevas
- 1 Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Myrella L Cruz
- 1 Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Antonio E Ramirez
- 1 Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Idhaliz Flores
- 1 Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Kenira J Thompson
- 1 Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Manuel Bayona
- 1 Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
- 2 Public Health Program, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Michael W Vernon
- 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Caroline B Appleyard
- 1 Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
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Important role of collective cell migration and nerve fiber density in the development of deep nodular endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2017; 107:987-995.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Wu J, Xie H, Yao S, Liang Y. Macrophage and nerve interaction in endometriosis. J Neuroinflammation 2017; 14:53. [PMID: 28288663 PMCID: PMC5351283 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-0828-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the immune system in endometriotic milieus has been considered to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Macrophage recruitment and nerve fiber infiltration are the two major characteristics of this aberrant immune environment. First, the recruitment of macrophages and their polarization phenotype within the endometriotic lesion have been demonstrated to facilitate the development and maintenance of endometriosis. M1 phenotype of macrophages has the capacity to secrete multiple cytokines for inflammatory response, while M2 macrophage possesses an opposite property that can mediate the process of immunosuppression and neuroangiogenesis. Upon secretion of multiple abnormal signal molecules by the endometriotic lesion, macrophages could alter their location and phenotype. These changes facilitate the accommodation of the aberrant microenvironment and the exacerbation of disease progression. Second, the infiltration of nerve fibers and their abnormal distribution are proved to be involved in the generation of endometriosis-associated pain and inflammatory response. An imbalance in sensory and sympathetic innervation and the abnormal secretion of different cytokines could mediate neurogenesis and subsequent peripheral neuroinflammation in endometriosis. Although endometriosis creates an inflammatory milieu promoting macrophage infiltration and an imbalanced innervation, interaction between macrophages and nerve fibers in this process remains unknown. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of macrophage and nerve interaction in endometriosis, where macrophage recruitment and neurogenesis can be the underlying mechanism of neuroinflammation and pathogenesis of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjie Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510089 China
| | - Hongyu Xie
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510089 China
| | - Shuzhong Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, the 2nd Zhongshan Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong Province China
| | - Yanchun Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, the 2nd Zhongshan Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong Province China
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30
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Mechanisms of pain in endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2017; 209:8-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.07.497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Yan D, Liu X, Guo SW. Nerve fibers and endometriotic lesions: partners in crime in inflicting pains in women with endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2016; 209:14-24. [PMID: 27418559 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
One of major objectives in treating endometriosis is to alleviate pain since dysmenorrhea and other types of pain top the list of complaints from women with endometriosis who seek medical attention. Indeed, endometriosis-associated pain (EAP) is the most debilitating of the disease that negatively impacts on the quality of life in affected women, contributing significantly to the burden of disease and adding to the substantial personal and societal costs. Unfortunately, the mechanisms underlying the EAP are still poorly understood. In the last two decades, one active research field in endometriosis is the investigation on the distribution and genesis of nerve fibers in eutopic and ectopic endometrium, and the attempt to use endometrial nerve fiber density for diagnostic purpose. Since EAP presumably starts with the terminal sensory nerves, in or around endometriotic lesions, that transduce noxious mediators to the central nervous system (CNS) which ultimately perceives pain, this field of research holds the promise to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the EAP, thus opening new avenues for novel diagnostics and therapeutics. In this review, we shall first briefly provide some basic facts on nerve fibers, and then provide an overview of some major findings in this filed while also note some conflicting results and expose areas in need of further research. We point out that since recently accumulated evidence suggests that endometriotic lesions are wounds undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair, the relationship between endometriotic lesions and nerve fibers is not simply unidirectional, i.e. lesions promote hyperinnervations. Rather, it is bidirectional, i.e. endometriotic lesions and nerve fibers engage active cross-talks, resulting in the development of endometriosis and pain. That is, nerve fibers and endometriotic lesions are actually partners in crime in inflicting pains in women with endometriosis, aided and abetted possibly by other culprits, some yet to be identified. We provide a list of possible perpetrators likely to be involved in this crime. Finally, we discuss possible implications when viewing the relationship from this vista.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingmin Yan
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xishi Liu
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Kogan EA, Ovakimyan AS, Paramonova NB, Faizullina NM, Kazachenko IF, Adamyan LV. [Morphological substrate and pathogenetic mechanisms of pelvic pain syndrome in endometriosis. Part II. Peripheral nerve tissue remodeling in the foci of endometriosis]. Arkh Patol 2016; 78:20-25. [PMID: 27296002 DOI: 10.17116/patol201678320-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Endometriosis (EM) is morphologically characterized by the development of extrauterine endometrioid heterotopies, the major clinical symptoms of which is chronic pelvic pain, which is a serious problem not only in modern gynecology, but also in public health as a whole. AIM to investigate neurogenic markers in the foci of EM of various sites and histological structure in women with and without pain syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS The investigation was performed using the operative material (resected segments of the intestine, bladder, rectovaginal septum, and small pelvic peritoneum) obtained from 52 women with an intraoperative and morphologically verified diagnosis of EM and (Group 1) and without (Group 2) pain syndrome. Immunohistochemical examination was made on paraffin-embedded tissue sections in accordance with the standard protocols, by using the antibodies: 1) anti-PGP 9.5 polyclonal rabbit antibodies; 2) mouse anti-human neurofilament (NF) protein monoclonal antibodies (Clone 2F1); 3) mouse anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) monoclonal antibodies; 4) monoclonal mouse anti-human NGF receptor p75 (NGFRp75) antibodies (Dako, Denmark). RESULTS Our findings demonstrate differences in the expression of PGP 9.5, NFs, NGF, and NGFRp75 in the foci and adjacent tissue in painful and painless EM irrespective of the locations of heterotopies. CONCLUSION The found molecular features are a manifestation of the remodeling of nerve fibers and nerve endings in the foci of EM and PGP9.5, NGF, and NGFRp75 give rise to nerve fiber neoformation and pain syndrome in EM. At the same time, the immunohistochemical phenotype of EM foci does not depend on their site and reflects the presence or absence of pain syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Kogan
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - A S Ovakimyan
- Academician V.I. Kulakov Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - N B Paramonova
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - N M Faizullina
- Academician V.I. Kulakov Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - I F Kazachenko
- Academician V.I. Kulakov Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - L V Adamyan
- Academician V.I. Kulakov Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
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Parkin KL, Fazleabas AT. Uterine Leukocyte Function and Dysfunction: A Hypothesis on the Impact of Endometriosis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2016; 75:411-7. [PMID: 26782366 PMCID: PMC6309859 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the growth of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterus. The disease affects approximately 10-15% of women of reproductive age and presents with clinical symptoms of pelvic pain and infertility. Changes in the leukocyte populations within the ectopic tissue and eutopic endometrium have been reported, and data suggest these alterations contribute to the pathology and symptoms of the disease. In this review, we discussed differences when comparing uterine NK cells and regulatory T cells within the eutopic endometrium between patients with endometriosis and healthy patients, and how these differences relate to implantation failure and/or decreased clearance of menstrual tissue in patients with the disease. The data demonstrate a critical need to examine endometrium and menstrual tissue in patients with endometriosis excluded from studies examining unknown causes of infertility and heavy menstrual bleeding. The information gathered from excluded patients will further enhance our understanding of how the immune system contributes to the pathophysiology of endometriosis and help to identify biomarkers for patients at higher risk for developing endometriosis-associated infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin L. Parkin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Asgerally T. Fazleabas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
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Expression of microtubule associated protein 2 and synaptophysin in endometrium: high levels in deep infiltrating endometriosis lesions. Fertil Steril 2016; 105:435-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Aich A, Afrin LB, Gupta K. Mast Cell-Mediated Mechanisms of Nociception. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:29069-92. [PMID: 26690128 PMCID: PMC4691098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms161226151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells are tissue-resident immune cells that release immuno-modulators, chemo-attractants, vasoactive compounds, neuropeptides and growth factors in response to allergens and pathogens constituting a first line of host defense. The neuroimmune interface of immune cells modulating synaptic responses has been of increasing interest, and mast cells have been proposed as key players in orchestrating inflammation-associated pain pathobiology due to their proximity to both vasculature and nerve fibers. Molecular underpinnings of mast cell-mediated pain can be disease-specific. Understanding such mechanisms is critical for developing disease-specific targeted therapeutics to improve analgesic outcomes. We review molecular mechanisms that may contribute to nociception in a disease-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Aich
- Vascular Biology Center, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Lawrence B Afrin
- Vascular Biology Center, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Kalpna Gupta
- Vascular Biology Center, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Ferrero S, Alessandri F, Racca A, Leone Roberti Maggiore U. Treatment of pain associated with deep endometriosis: alternatives and evidence. Fertil Steril 2015; 104:771-792. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Tosti C, Pinzauti S, Santulli P, Chapron C, Petraglia F. Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis. Reprod Sci 2015; 22:1053-9. [PMID: 26169038 DOI: 10.1177/1933719115592713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a benign gynecologic disease, affecting women of reproductive age associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility. Ovarian endometrioma (OMA), superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SPE), and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) are, till now, recognized as major phenotypes. The discussion is to know whether they share the same pathogenetic mechanisms. Till today, DIE is recognized as the most severe clinical form of endometriosis and has a complex clinical management. The DIE lesions have been considered in the present article, without distinguishing between the anterior (bladder) or the posterior (vagina, uterosacral ligaments, rectum, and ureter) compartment. The present knowledge indicates that hormonal function (estrogen and progesterone receptors) and immunological factors, such as peritoneal macrophages, natural killer cells, and lymphocytes, are critically altered in DIE. The aggressive behavior of DIE may be explained by the highly decreased apoptosis (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells [NF-kB], B-cell lymphoma 2 [Blc-2], and anti-Mullerian hormone) and by the increased proliferation activity related to oxidative stress (NF-kB, reactive oxygen species, extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), advanced oxidation protein product). Invasive mechanisms are more expressed (matrix metalloproteinases and activins) in DIE in comparison to the OMA and SPE. Correlated with the increased invasiveness are the data on very high expression of neuroangiogenesis (nerve growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and intercellular adhesion molecule) genes in DIE. Therefore, at the present time, several of the DIE pathogenetic features result specific in comparison to other endometriosis phenotypes, pleading for the existence of a specific entity. These evidence of specific pathogenetic features of DIE may explain the more severe symptomatology related to this form of endometriosis and suggest possible future target medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tosti
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP, Hôspital Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Serena Pinzauti
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP, Hôspital Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Pietro Santulli
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP, Hôspital Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, CNRS (UMR 8104), Paris, France
| | - Charles Chapron
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP, Hôspital Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, CNRS (UMR 8104), Paris, France
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Tarjanne S, Ng CH, Manconi F, Arola J, Mentula M, Maneck B, Fraser IS, Heikinheimo O. Use of hormonal therapy is associated with reduced nerve fiber density in deep infiltrating, rectovaginal endometriosis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2015; 94:693-700. [DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Satu Tarjanne
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - Cecilia H.M. Ng
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology; Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Frank Manconi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology; Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Johanna Arola
- Department of Pathology; Haartman Institute; University of Helsinki and HUSLAB; Helsinki Finland
| | - Maarit Mentula
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - Bharvi Maneck
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology; Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Ian S. Fraser
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology; Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Oskari Heikinheimo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
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Laux-Biehlmann A, d’Hooghe T, Zollner TM. Menstruation pulls the trigger for inflammation and pain in endometriosis. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2015; 36:270-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Kogan EA, Paramonova NB, Demura TA, Faĭzullina NM, Ovakimian AS, Adamian LV. [The morphological substrate and pathogenetic mechanisms of pelvic pain syndrome in endometriosis]. Arkh Patol 2015; 76:37-43. [PMID: 25842924 DOI: 10.17116/patol201476637-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTION To study the origin and morphological substrate of pain syndrome in deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the bowel. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The investigation was conducted using the intraoperative material (resected portions of the large and small bowels, appendix) obtained from 40 women diagnosed as having deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the bowel, which was accompanied by pain syndrome. Paraffin sections were immunohistochemically examined using the standard protocol. Antibodies to Ki-67, PTEN, ER, PR, ("Dako"), CD34 ("Cell Marque", USA), VEGF, EGF, EGFR, COX-2 ("Abcam"), and MMP 1 and 2 ("Abbiotec") were applied. Dako REAL EnVision Detection System kits ("Dako", Denmark) were used as secondary antibodies. RESULTS The morphological substrate of pelvic pain syndrome in deep infiltrating endometriosis was established to be factors that acted in situ at the location of endometriotic foci and those caused by the infiltrative perivascular, intravascular, and perineural growth of endometrioid heterotopies. CONCLUSION Inflammation and fibrosis in the endometriotic foci contribute to the accumulation of algogenes, which gives rise to somatogenic pain syndrome, and chronic nerve fiber injury as a source of nociceptive stimulation leads to neuropathic pain syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Kogan
- FGBU "Nauchnyĭ tsentr akusherstva, ginekologii i perinatologii im. akad. V.I. Kulakova" Minzdrava Rossii, Moskva; GBOU "Pervyĭ Moskovskiĭ gosudarstvennyĭ meditsinskiĭ universitet im. I.M. Sechenova" Minzdrava Rossii, Rossiĭskaia Federatsiia
| | - N B Paramonova
- FGBU "Nauchnyĭ tsentr akusherstva, ginekologii i perinatologii im. akad. V.I. Kulakova" Minzdrava Rossii, Moskva; GBOU "Pervyĭ Moskovskiĭ gosudarstvennyĭ meditsinskiĭ universitet im. I.M. Sechenova" Minzdrava Rossii, Rossiĭskaia Federatsiia
| | - T A Demura
- FGBU "Nauchnyĭ tsentr akusherstva, ginekologii i perinatologii im. akad. V.I. Kulakova" Minzdrava Rossii, Moskva; GBOU "Pervyĭ Moskovskiĭ gosudarstvennyĭ meditsinskiĭ universitet im. I.M. Sechenova" Minzdrava Rossii, Rossiĭskaia Federatsiia
| | - N M Faĭzullina
- FGBU "Nauchnyĭ tsentr akusherstva, ginekologii i perinatologii im. akad. V.I. Kulakova" Minzdrava Rossii, Moskva
| | - A S Ovakimian
- FGBU "Nauchnyĭ tsentr akusherstva, ginekologii i perinatologii im. akad. V.I. Kulakova" Minzdrava Rossii, Moskva
| | - L V Adamian
- FGBU "Nauchnyĭ tsentr akusherstva, ginekologii i perinatologii im. akad. V.I. Kulakova" Minzdrava Rossii, Moskva
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Ding D, Liu X, Duan J, Guo SW. Platelets are an unindicted culprit in the development of endometriosis: clinical and experimental evidence. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:812-32. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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McKinnon BD, Bertschi D, Bersinger NA, Mueller MD. Inflammation and nerve fiber interaction in endometriotic pain. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2015; 26:1-10. [PMID: 25465987 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2014.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is an extremely prevalent estrogen-dependent condition characterized by the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, and is often presented with severe pain. Although the relationship between lesion and pain remains unclear, nerve fibers found in close proximity to endometriotic lesions may be related to pain. Also, women with endometriosis pain develop central sensitization. Endometriosis creates an inflammatory environment and recent research is beginning to elucidate the role of inflammation in stimulating peripheral nerve sensitization. In this review, we discuss endometriosis-associated inflammation, peripheral nerve fibers, and assess their potential mechanism of interaction. We propose that an interaction between lesions and nerve fibers, mediated by inflammation, may be important in endometriosis-associated pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D McKinnon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Berne, Murtenstrasse 35, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland.
| | - Dominic Bertschi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland
| | - Nick A Bersinger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Berne, Murtenstrasse 35, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland
| | - Michael D Mueller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Berne, Murtenstrasse 35, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland
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Alvarez P, Bogen O, Levine JD. Role of nociceptor estrogen receptor GPR30 in a rat model of endometriosis pain. Pain 2014; 155:2680-2686. [PMID: 25280432 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis, the most common cause of chronic pelvic pain, is an estrogen-dependent disease in which classic estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ) play an important role. Although recent evidence suggests that the novel G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPR30) also plays a key role in the progression of endometriosis, whether it is also involved in endometriosis pain is still unknown. Here we tested the hypothesis that GPR30 expressed by nociceptors contributes to endometriosis pain. Intramuscular injection of the GPR30 agonists raloxifene or 17β-estradiol produced a fast-onset, persistent, mechanical hyperalgesia at the site of the injection. Intrathecal antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN), but not mismatch (MM) ODN, targeting mRNA for GPR30 markedly inhibited its protein expression in nociceptors and attenuated the mechanical hyperalgesia induced by local raloxifene or 17β-estradiol. Pretreatment with the GPR30 antagonist G-36 also inhibited the hyperalgesia induced by raloxifene or 17β-estradiol in naive control rats. Surgical implant of autologous uterine tissue onto the gastrocnemius muscle, which induces endometriosis-like lesions, produced local mechanical hyperalgesia. Intrathecal AS, but not MM, ODN targeting GPR30 mRNA reversibly inhibited the mechanical hyperalgesia at the site of endometriotic lesions. Finally, intralesional injection of the GPR30 antagonist G-36 also inhibited the mechanical hyperalgesia at the site of ectopic uterine tissue. We conclude that local GPR30 agonists produce persistent mechanical hyperalgesia in naive female rats, whereas local GPR30 antagonists inhibit mechanical hyperalgesia in a model of endometriosis pain. Thus, GPR30 expressed by nociceptors innervating ectopic uterine lesions might play a major role in endometriosis pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Alvarez
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA Division of Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Detection of the pan neuronal marker PGP9.5 by immuno-histochemistry and quantitative PCR in eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2014; 291:85-91. [PMID: 25047272 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-014-3379-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess endometrial gene as well as protein expression of neuroendocrine and supposedly endometriosis-associated product PGP9.5 and pain symptoms in women with endometriosis and controls undergoing laparoscopy, using molecular biological and immuno-histochemical approaches in the same patients. METHODS Biopsy of eutopic endometrium from 29 patients by sharp curettage, and preparation of paraffin blocks. Determination of PGP9.5 gene expression and protein abundance using qPCR and immuno-histochemistry. RESULTS qPCR; The PGP9.5 mRNA expression level between women with (N = 16) and without (N = 13) endometriosis was not different, regardless of pain symptoms or menstrual cycle phase. PGP9.5 expression was higher in women who reported pain compared to those who did not; however, this association was not statistically significant. The expression of PGP9.5 mRNA was higher in women with endometriosis and pain during the proliferative than in the secretory phase (P = 0.03). Furthermore, in the first half of the cycle, the abundance of the PGP9.5 transcript was also significantly higher in endometriosis patients compared to those without (P = 0.03). Immuno-histochemistry; Thirteen of the 16 endometriosis patients showed positive PGP9.5 immuno-reactivity in the endometrium, whereas no such signal was observed in women without endometriosis. The absolute number of nerve fibres per mm(2) in women with endometriosis was similar, regardless of the pain symptoms. CONCLUSIONS PGP9.5 mRNA expression is increased in the proliferative phase of endometriotic women with pain. The presence of nerve fibres was demonstrated by a PGP9.5 protein signal in immuno-histochemistry and restricted to patients with endometriosis. Based on these results, however, there did not appear to be a direct association between the gene expression and protein abundance in women with and without endometriosis or those that experienced pain.
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Alvarez P, Levine JD. Screening the role of pronociceptive molecules in a rodent model of endometriosis pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2014; 15:726-33. [PMID: 24755283 PMCID: PMC4119016 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Chronic pain is a major symptom in patients with endometriosis, a common gynecologic condition affecting women in their reproductive years. Although many proalgesic substances are produced by endometriosis lesions, experimental evidence supporting their relative roles is still lacking. Furthermore, it is unclear whether these proalgesic agents directly activate nociceptors to induce endometriosis pain. To determine their relative contribution to pain associated with endometriosis, we evaluated the intrathecal administration of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) antisense to messenger RNA for receptors for 3 pronociceptive mediators known to be produced by the ectopic endometrium. Two weeks after the implant of autologous uterine tissue onto the gastrocnemius muscle, local mechanical hyperalgesia was observed in operated rats. Intrathecal antisense ODN targeting messenger RNA for the interleukin 6 receptor-signaling complex subunit glycoprotein 130 and the nerve growth factor tyrosine kinase receptor A, but not their mismatch ODNs, reversibly attenuated mechanical hyperalgesia at the implant site. In contrast, intrathecal antisense ODN targeting the tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, at a dose that markedly inhibited intramuscularly injected tumor necrosis factor alpha, had only a small antihyperalgesic effect in this model. These results indicate the relative contribution of pronociceptive mediators produced by ectopic endometrial tissue to endometriosis pain. The experimental approach presented here provides a novel method to evaluate for the differential contribution of mediators produced by other painful lesions as well as endometriosis lesions as targets for novel treatment of pain syndromes. PERSPECTIVE This article presents evidence for the relative contribution of proalgesic mediators to primary hyperalgesia displayed by rats submitted to a model of endometriosis pain. This approach can be used to identify potential targets for the treatment of endometriosis pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Alvarez
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Division of Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jon D Levine
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Division of Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
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Morotti M, Vincent K, Brawn J, Zondervan KT, Becker CM. Peripheral changes in endometriosis-associated pain. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 20:717-36. [PMID: 24859987 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain remains the cardinal symptom of endometriosis. However, to date, the underlying mechanisms are still only poorly understood. Increasing evidence points towards a close interaction between peripheral nerves, the peritoneal environment and the central nervous system in pain generation and processing. Recently, studies demonstrating nerve fibres and neurotrophic and angiogenic factors in endometriotic lesions and their vicinity have led to increased interest in peripheral changes in endometriosis-associated pain. This review focuses on the origin and function of these nerves and factors as well as possible peripheral mechanisms that may contribute to the generation and modulation of pain in women with endometriosis. METHODS We conducted a systematic search using several databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) of publications from January 1977 to October 2013 to evaluate the possible roles of the peripheral nervous system in endometriosis pathophysiology and how it can contribute to endometriosis-associated pain. RESULTS Endometriotic lesions and peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis had pronounced neuroangiogenic properties with increased expression of new nerve fibres, a shift in the distribution of sensory and autonomic fibres in some locations, and up-regulation of several neurotrophins. In women suffering from deep infiltrating endometriosis and bowel endometriosis, in which the anatomical distribution of lesions is generally more closely related to pelvic pain symptoms, endometriotic lesions and surrounding tissues present higher nerve fibre densities compared with peritoneal lesions and endometriomas. More data are needed to fully confirm a direct correlation between fibre density in these locations and the amount of perceived pain. A better correlation between the presence of nerve fibres and pain symptoms seems to exist for eutopic endometrium. However, this appears not to be exclusive to endometriosis. No correlation between elevated neurotrophin levels and pain severity appears to exist, suggesting the involvement of other mediators in the modulation of pain. CONCLUSIONS The increased expression of neurotrophic factors and nerve fibres in endometriotic lesions, eutopic endometrium and the peritoneum imply a role of such peripheral changes in the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated pain. However, a clear link between these findings and pain in patients with endometriosis has so far not been demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Morotti
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Genoa, Genoa 16100, Italy
| | - Katy Vincent
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Jennifer Brawn
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Krina T Zondervan
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Christian M Becker
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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Donnez O, Soares M, Defrère S, Dehoux JP, van Langendonckt A, Donnez J, Dolmans MM, Colette S. Nerve fiber density in deep nodular endometriotic lesions induced in a baboon experimental model. Fertil Steril 2013; 100:1144-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Nerve Fibers are Absent in Disease-Free and Eutopic Endometrium, but Present in Endometriotic (Especially Deep) Lesions. JOURNAL OF ENDOMETRIOSIS AND PELVIC PAIN DISORDERS 2013. [DOI: 10.5301/je.5000155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective Detection of nerve fibers in endometrial biopsies was recently proposed as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis. However, their occurrence in the functional layer of endometrium still remains controversial. Nerve fibers were found to be present in endometriotic lesions themselves, which may account for some of the pain experienced by patients, but their origin is not clear. The objective of the present study was to reevaluate the presence of nerve fibers in endometrium and in different types of endometriotic lesions. Patients and Methods Nerve fiber density (PGP9.5 immunohistochemical analysis), unmyelinated nerve fiber presence (neurofilament immunohistochemical detection) and nerve growth factor expression were evaluated in endometrial (disease free: n = 20; endometriotic: n = 26) and endometriotic (peritoneal lesions: n = 11; ovarian lesions: n = 16; rectovaginal lesions: n = 27) samples. Results Endometrial biopsies were found to be mostly negative for nerve fibers. Nerve fiber density was higher in deep nodular lesions than in peritoneal (p<0.01) or ovarian (p<0.001) lesions. Around 30% of PGP9.5-positive nerve fibers were confirmed by neurofilament staining. Nerve growth factor expression was detected at higher levels in the stroma of deep-infiltrating lesions (p<0.05). Conclusions No nerve fibers were detected in endometrial biopsies (from healthy or endometriosis patients). However, nerve fibers were detected in endometriotic lesions. Most of them were found to be unmyelinated, suggesting they could be implicated in pain. Deep nodular lesions may be more neuroattractive through the action of nerve growth factor.
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Malvasi A, Cavallotti C, Nicolardi G, Pellegrino M, Dell'Edera D, Vergara D, Kumakiri J, Greco M, Tinelli A. NT, NPY and PGP 9.5 presence in myomeytrium and in fibroid pseudocapsule and their possible impact on muscular physiology. Gynecol Endocrinol 2013; 29:177-81. [PMID: 22849656 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2012.708803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The uterine myoma pseudocapsule is a neurovascular bundle surrounding fibroid, containing neuropeptides, probably involved in uterine scar healing. We studied neurotensin (NT), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) nerve fibres in the pseudocapsule neurovascular bundle of intramural uterine fibroids on 67 no pregnant women by intracapsular myomectomy sparing the neurovascular bundle, sampling full thickness specimens of the pseudocapsule of uterine fibroids (PUF) and normal myometrium (NM) obtained from the fundus uteri (FU) and the uterine body (UB). The samples were sent for histological and immunofluorescent analyses and compared by morphometrical quantification. The Conventional Unit (C.U.) difference of NT, NPY, and PGP 9.5 nerve fibres was statistically analyzed. Our results showed that NT, NPY, and PGP 9.5 neurofibers are almost equally present in PUF as in NM of a no pregnant uterus. As all of these neuropeptides are present in the uterine muscle and can affect muscle contractility, uterine peristalsis and muscular healing. A myomectomy respecting the pseudocapsule neurofibers should facilitate smooth muscle scarring and promote restoration of normal uterine peristalsis with a possible positive influence on fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Malvasi
- Department of Obstetric & Gynecology, Santa Maria Hospital, Bari, Italy
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