Deng Yan, Liu Qin
School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, No.566 Qianjin East Rd., Kunshan, Suzhou, 215300, Jiangsu, China.
J Mol Histol. 2025 Jun 28;56(4):211. doi: 10.1007/s10735-025-10512-5.
Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic estrogen-dependent gynecological disease that affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of infertility worldwide. In addition to reproductive dysfunction, EM is associated with chronic pain, psychological distress, and significant healthcare costs, yet its etiopathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Chemokines, especially members of the CXC family, have attracted increasing attention for their roles in EM-related inflammation, immune dysregulation, cell migration, angiogenesis, and pain modulation. These small signaling proteins, typically 8-10 kDa in size, are aberrantly expressed in ectopic lesions and participate in both disease initiation and progression. This review aims to systematically summarize current research on the expression patterns and biological functions of CXC chemokines in EM, with a particular focus on their contributions to diagnostic strategies, pathological mechanisms, and therapeutic development. While emerging evidence highlights their importance, further studies are needed to clarify subtype-specific mechanisms and clinical applicability. Understanding the roles of CXC chemokines may help uncover novel molecular targets for diagnosis and intervention, thereby advancing more effective and personalized treatments for patients with endometriosis.
子宫内膜异位症（EM）是一种慢性雌激素依赖性妇科疾病，影响着约10%的育龄妇女，是全球不孕症的主要原因。除了生殖功能障碍外，EM还与慢性疼痛、心理困扰和高昂的医疗费用相关，但其发病机制仍未完全明确。趋化因子，尤其是CXC家族成员，因其在EM相关炎症、免疫失调、细胞迁移、血管生成和疼痛调节中的作用而受到越来越多的关注。这些小信号蛋白大小通常为8-10 kDa，在异位病灶中异常表达，并参与疾病的起始和进展。本综述旨在系统总结当前关于CXC趋化因子在EM中的表达模式和生物学功能的研究，特别关注它们在诊断策略、病理机制和治疗发展中的作用。虽然新出现的证据突出了它们的重要性，但仍需要进一步研究来阐明亚型特异性机制和临床适用性。了解CXC趋化因子的作用可能有助于发现诊断和干预的新分子靶点，从而为子宫内膜异位症患者推进更有效和个性化的治疗。
