OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the expression of Fas protein in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis, and in endometrium of women without endometriosis.
MATERIAL-METHOD:
Ectopic (n = 31) and eutopic endometrial tissues (n = 23) from 43 women with endometriosis and endometrium from women without endometriosis (n = 39) were used for immunohistochemical analysis of Fas.
RESULTS:
Expression of Fas was significantly higher than the proliferative and early secretory phase samples in women without endometriosis (p = 0.04). In eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis, epithelial Fas expression was similar in both proliferative and secretory phases. However, epithelial Fas expression was significantly higher than the eutopic endometrial samples of women with and without endometriosis (p = 004).
CONCLUSION:
Expression of Fas protein is impaired in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. Higher Fas protein expression was found in ovarian endometriomas compared to that of corresponding eutopic endometrial samples, and endometrial samples of control cases. Despite the increased expression of Fas, the resistance of the ectopic foci against apoptosis might be related to peritoneal inflammation and increased Fas ligand expression. These results suggest that the Fas protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
Keywords: Apoptosis, Fas, endometriosis