Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases, their tissue inhibitors, and cathepsin-D in ovarian endometriosis: correlation with severity of disease.

In this study the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases 1, 2, 3, and 9, tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) 1 and 2, and cathepsin-D in ovarian endometriomas were correlated with the clinical severity of endometriosis (i.e., presence of chronic pelvic pain [CPP] and American Society of Reproductive Medicine [ASRM] scores).