Expression of and in Different Forms of Endometriosis.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is the process by which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal properties, which helps endometriotic cells migrate and invade. This study looks at the expression of , a critical epithelial marker, and , an EMT regulator, in several types of endometriosis, including endometriomas and deep infiltrating endometriotic (DIE) nodules. We examined 19 individuals with endometriosis (9 with just endometriotic cysts and 10 with both DIE and endometriotic cysts) and 8 controls with benign gynecological abnormalities. Tissue samples were taken during laparoscopic surgery, and and expression were measured using Real-Time PCR, with and as controls. expression was maintained in the eutopic endometrium of both ovarian and DIE types, but it was considerably reduced in endometriotic cysts, indicating heightened mesenchymal features. was downregulated in the eutopic endometrium of ovarian endometriosis but upregulated in DIE. Endometriotic cysts in both groups had greater expression than their corresponding eutopic endometrium. and expression in DIE lesions was similar to that found in matched eutopic endometrium. The regulation of and varies across ovarian and DIE lesions. The feedback loop is increased in DIE eutopic endometrium but downregulated in ovarian endometriosis. downregulation in endometriotic cysts indicates heightened mesenchymal dynamics, whereas DIE nodules have gene expression patterns similar to eutopic endometrium. These findings emphasize the distinct regulatory processes that govern endometriotic lesions.