Expression of stem cell-related genes in the endometrium and endometriotic lesions: a pilot study.

Objective: To compare the expression of stem cell-related genes in the endometrium (END), superficial endometriosis (SE), and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).

Study Design: We performed a prospective pilot study of six women suffering from SE and DIE who gave consent for laparoscopy surgery, endometrial biopsies, and participation in this study. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of 84 stem cell-related genes was performed in 18 biopsy samples.

Results: A total of 40 of 84 genes were expressed in SE and DIE, but were different from END as follows. Seven genes were over-expressed in SE and 33 genes were under-expressed in DIE compared with END. Two genes were only over-expressed in SE and three genes were only over-expressed in DIE. Six under-expressed genes were exclusively located in SE and one was only located in DIE. The remaining 31 genes were not different among the groups. There was no significant difference in gene expression between SE and DIE samples.

Conclusion: Tissue of DIE and SE appears to have similar stem cell-related genes. Nevertheless, there are differences in gene expression between SE and DIE.