Galectin-1 overexpression in endometriosis and its regulation by neuropeptides (CRH, UCN) indicating its important role in reproduction and inflammation.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease of women of reproductive age featured by the presence of ectopic endometrium and is strongly related to infertility. Galectins, carbonhydrate-binding proteins, have been found to have pro- or anti-inflammatory roles in the reproductive tract and in pathological conditions concerning infertility. Galectin-1, which is expressed at endometrium and decidua, plays a major role in implantation and trophoblast invasion.

Differential expression of CRH, UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is considered as a benign aseptic inflammatory disease, characterised by the presence of ectopic endometrium-like tissue. Its symptoms (mostly pain and infertility) are reported as constant stressors. Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin (UCN) are neuropeptides, strongly related to stress and inflammation.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is expressed in the human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) and upregulates the expression of Fas ligand.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone acts as a stressor mediator in the human reproductive system. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) has been detected in several carcinomas of gynecological origin like breast, ovarian, and endometrial carcinomas. It was additionally shown that CRH could induce Fas ligand (FasL) expression in ovarian carcinoma cell lines.