The M2 polarization of macrophage induced by fractalkine in the endometriotic milieu enhances invasiveness of endometrial stromal cells.

Fractalkine (FKN) is involved in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including endometriosis. Our objective was to investigate the role of FKN in the cross-talking between endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and U937 (macrophage line) in the endometriotic milieu. We have found that FKN levels in peritoneal fluid and ESCs positively correlate with the progress of endometriosis.

MiR-195 inhibits proliferation and growth and induces apoptosis of endometrial stromal cells by targeting FKN.

MiR-195, which exhibits a proliferation-inhibiting role in different tumors, has been reported to be down-regulated in the ectopic endometrium. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of miR-195 on the biological characteristic of the endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). MiR-195 has been presumed to target the 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTR) of Fractalkine (FKN), which also plays important roles in endometriosis.