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Semin Reprod Med 2003; 21(2): 165-172
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41323
Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Apoptosis and the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Juan A. Garcia-Velasco1 , Aydin Arici2
  • 1IVI-Madrid, Madrid Spain,
  • 2Section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department Of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
14. August 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Apoptosis is a physiologic process that deletes unwanted cells without inducing an inflammatory reaction. Survival of endometriotic implants is associated with decreased apoptosis and an inflammatory environment. The most widely accepted theory-transplantation theory-related to the pathogenesis of endometriosis is supported by the description of abnormal survival of regurgitated endometrial cells. Eutopic endometrial cells from women with endometriosis also seem to resist apoptosis further when compared with cells from disease-free women. Several apoptotic pathways have been studied. Recent literature concerning apoptosis-related genes such as bcl-2/bax and fas/fas ligand is summarized in this article. Special emphasis is placed on sex steroid modulation and cell adhesion regulation, both relevant in early events of endometriosis.

KEYWORDS

Apoptosis - bcl-2 - fas ligand - endometrium

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