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Abstract / Description of output
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Patients experience chronic pelvic pain and infertility, with the most likely origin of the tissue deposits (lesions) being endometrial fragments shed at menses. Menstruation is an inflammatory process associated with a dramatic increase in inflammatory mediators and tissue-resident immune cells. In the present study, we developed and validated a mouse model of endometriosis using syngeneic menstrual endometrial tissue introduced into the peritoneum of immunocompetent mice. We demonstrate the establishment of endometriotic lesions that exhibit similarities to those recovered from patients undergoing laparoscopy. Specifically, in both cases, lesions had epithelial (cytokeratin(+)) and stromal (vimentin/CD10(+)) cell compartments with a well-developed vasculature (CD31(+) endothelial cells). Expression of estrogen receptor β was increased in lesions compared with the peritoneum or eutopic endometrium. By performing experiments using mice with green fluorescent protein-labeled macrophages (MacGreen) in reciprocal transfers with wild-type mice, we obtained evidence that macrophages present in the peritoneum and in menses endometrium can contribute to the inflammatory microenvironment of the lesions. In summary, we developed a mouse model of endometriosis that exhibits similarities to human peritoneal lesions with respect to estrogen receptor expression, inflammation, and macrophage infiltration, providing an opportunity for further studies and the possible identification of novel therapies for this perplexing disorder.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1930-1939 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | The American Journal of Pathology |
Volume | 184 |
Issue number | 7 |
Early online date | 4 Jun 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2014 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'A Novel Mouse Model of Endometriosis Mimics Human Phenotype and Reveals Insights into the Inflammatory Contribution of Shed Endometrium'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Toward new treatments for endometriosis: is the peritoneal transforming growth factor: B superfamily a therapeutic target?
Horne, A., Brown, J., Critchley, H., Duncan, C., McNeilly, A. & Saunders, P.
1/09/12 → 31/08/14
Project: Research
Profiles
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Philippa Saunders
- Deanery of Clinical Sciences - Personal Chair of Reproductive Steroids
- Centre for Inflammation Research - Professor of Reproductive Steroids & Director of Postgraduate Research for CMVM
- Edinburgh Imaging
Person: Academic: Research Active