New evidence of the presence of endometriosis in the human fetus

Signorile, Pietro G.; Baldi, Feliciano; Bussani, Rossana; D'Armiento, M.; Falco, Maria De; Boccellino, Mariarosaria; Quagliuolo, Lucio; Baldi, Alfonso

doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.04.002

Cited by 55 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…These primordial endometrial stem cells, isolated or more probably organized in foci, could remain misplaced and quiescent until insults of various kinds (physical, chemical, hormonal) provoke expression of silent genes up to that moment, modifying in this way their phenotype, biological functions, and finally also immunogenicity. The discovery of endometriotic foci in fetal age [207, 208], outside the uterine cavity, supports the hypothesis that the disease originates during early organogenesis of the female reproductive tract, and develops in its clinical form in the postpubertal age as a result of hormonal influences. Moreover, Signorile et al's data [206] showed the ectopic presence of primitive endometrium, expressing both CA125 and oestrogen receptor, in 11% of female foetuses (4/36).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Interplay between Misplaced Müllerian-Derived Stem Cells and Peritoneal Immune Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Laganà

Sturlese

Retto

et al. 2013

Obstetrics and Gynecology International

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In the genetic regulation of Müllerian structures development, a key role is played by Hoxa and Wnt clusters, because they lead the transcription of different genes according to the different phases of the organogenesis, addressing correctly cell-to-cell interactions, allowing, finally, the physiologic morphogenesis. Accumulating evidence is suggesting that dysregulation of Wnt and/or Hox genes may affect cell migration during organogenesis and differentiation of Müllerian structures of the female reproductive tract, with possible dislocation and dissemination of primordial endometrial stem cells in ectopic regions, which have high plasticity to differentiation. We hypothesize that during postpubertal age, under the influence of different stimuli, these misplaced and quiescent ectopic endometrial cells could acquire new phenotype, biological functions, and immunogenicity. So, these kinds of cells may differentiate, specializing in epithelium, glands, and stroma to form a functional ectopic endometrial tissue. This may provoke a breakdown in the peritoneal cavity homeostasis, with the consequent processes of immune alteration, documented by peripheral mononuclear cells recruitment and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in early phases and of angiogenic and fibrogenic cytokines in the late stages of the disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Interplay between Misplaced Müllerian-Derived Stem Cells and Peritoneal Immune Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Laganà

Sturlese

Retto

et al. 2013

Obstetrics and Gynecology International

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“…The lack of major differences between cohorts may simply reflect who participates in research irrespective of sampling framework rather than selection factors per se. Other study limitations include the lack of quantified dioxin exposure, given its suggestive association with endometriosis (Eskenazi et al 2002), and our inability to establish the timing and temporal ordering of fat and serum concentrations relative to development of disease, including a possible in utero origin (Buck Louis et al 2010; Signorile et al 2010). We are unaware of any human data specifying the interval between exposure and disease onset, although it was estimated to be 7–10 years in rhesus monkeys (Rier et al 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent Lipophilic Environmental Chemicals and Endometriosis: The ENDO Study

Louis

Chen

Peterson³

et al. 2012

Environ Health Perspect

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Background: An equivocal literature exists regarding the relation between persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) and endometriosis in women, with differences attributed to methodologies.Objectives: We assessed the association between POPs and the odds of an endometriosis diagnosis and the consistency of findings by biological medium and study cohort.Methods: Using a matched cohort design, we assembled an operative cohort of women 18–44 years of age undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy at 14 participating clinical centers from 2007 to 2009 and a population-based cohort matched on age and residence within a 50-mile catchment area of the clinical centers. Endometriosis was defined as visualized disease in the operative cohort and as diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging in the population cohort. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each POP in relation to an endometriosis diagnosis, with separate models run for each medium (omental fat in the operative cohort, serum in both cohorts) and cohort. Adjusted models included age, body mass index, breast-feeding conditional on parity, cotinine, and lipids.Results: Concentrations were higher in omental fat than in serum for all POPs. In the operative cohort, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) was the only POP with a significant positive association with endometriosis [per 1-SD increase in log-transformed γ-HCH: adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.59]; β-HCH was the only significant predictor in the population cohort (per 1-SD increase in log-transformed β-HCH: AOR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.72).Conclusions: Using a matched cohort design, we found that cohort-specific and biological-medium–specific POPs were associated with endometriosis, underscoring the importance of methodological considerations when interpreting findings.

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“…There are no definitive data that retrograde menstruation occurs more in women with than without endometriosis (D’Hooghe & Debrock, 2002; Halme, Hammod, Hulka, Raj, & Talbert, 1984). Recently, researchers have posited that endometriosis may have fetal origins (Signorile et al, 2010), further complicating our understanding of the natural history of the disease. To better understand the etiology and risk factors for endometriosis, researchers are searching for endometriosis biomarkers —”objective, quantifiable characteristics of biological processes” (Strimbu & Tavel, 2010, p. 2).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Overall Adiposity, Adipose Tissue Distribution, and Endometriosis

2016

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Background Endometriosis has been associated with a lean body habitus. However, we do not understand whether endometriosis is also associated with other characteristics of adiposity, including adipose tissue distribution and amount of visceral adipose tissue (VAT; adipose tissue lining inner organs). Having these understandings may provide insights on how endometriosis develops—some of the physiologic actions of adipose tissue differ depending on tissue amount and location, and are related to proposed mechanisms of endometriosis development. Objectives To review the literature regarding overall adiposity, adipose tissue distribution and/or VAT, and endometriosis. Methods We reviewed and synthesized studies indexed in PubMed and/or Web of Science. We included studies that had one or more measures of overall adiposity, adipose tissue distribution, and/or VAT, and women with and without endometriosis for comparison. We summarized the findings and commented on the methods used and potential sources of bias. Results Out of 366 identified publications, 19 (5.2%) were eligible. Two additional publications were identified from reference lists. Current research included measures of overall adiposity (e.g., body figure drawings) or adipose tissue distribution (e.g., waist-to-hip ratio), but not VAT. The weight of evidence indicated that endometriosis was associated with low overall adiposity and with a preponderance of adipose tissue distributed below the waist (peripheral). Discussion Endometriosis may be associated with being lean or having peripherally distributed adipose tissue. Well-designed studies with various sampling frameworks and precise measures of adiposity and endometriosis are needed to confirm associations between adiposity measures and endometriosis, and delineate potential etiologic mechanisms underlying endometriosis.

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New evidence of the presence of endometriosis in the human fetus

Cited by 55 publications

References 32 publications

Interplay between Misplaced Müllerian-Derived Stem Cells and Peritoneal Immune Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Interplay between Misplaced Müllerian-Derived Stem Cells and Peritoneal Immune Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Persistent Lipophilic Environmental Chemicals and Endometriosis: The ENDO Study

Overall Adiposity, Adipose Tissue Distribution, and Endometriosis

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