OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between heparanase (Hpa) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) gene expression and the development of endometriosis (EM).

METHODS

Expression of Hpa gene and Ang-2 mRNA in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium collected from 86 patients with endometriosis (EM group) and the normal endometrium from 30 women without endometriosis (control group) was determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

(1) Hpa gene expression was detected in 53 ectopic endometrium and 47 eutopic endometrium specimens in the EM group and 8 normal endometrium specimens in the control group. There was no significant difference in Hpa gene expression between ectopic and eutopic endometrium in the EM group (P > 0.05). However, the Hpa gene expression in normal endometrium in the control group was significantly lower than that in ectopic and eutopic endometrium in the EM group (P < 0.05). (2) Ang-2 gene expression was detected in 61 ectopic endometrium and 56 eutopic endometrium specimens in the EM group and 10 normal endometrium specimens in the control group. There was no significant difference in Ang-2 gene expression between ectopic and eutopic endometrium in the EM group (P > 0.05), however, the Ang-2 positive rate in normal endometrium in the control group was significantly lower than that in ectopic and eutopic endometrium in the EM group (P < 0.05). (3) The expression of Hpa gene in stage III-IV endometriosis was significantly higher than that in stage I-II endometriosis (P < 0.05). (4) The difference of Ang-2 mRNA expression between stage III-IV and stage I-II endometriosis was not significant (P > 0.05). (5) The expression of Hpa gene was shown to be significantly correlated to the expression of Ang-2 gene in ectopic endometrium specimens from patients with endometriosis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hpa and Ang-2 genes are highly expressed in both ectopic and eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis. Over-expression of these two genes may play a role in the development and progression of endometriosis.