[Expression of the survivin gene in the scar endometriosis and in normal human endometrium]

The survivin gene encoding a novel inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) is located on chromosome (17q25). It is expressed during development and in human cancer in vivo. Endometriosis in cicatrix after cesarean section represents the only localization of endometriotic implant which etiology is known. It is believed that during the surgical procedure when the uterine cavity is open there is a high risk of decidualized endometrium implantation. The aim of the study was to estimate the expression of the survivin mRNA in the scar endometriosis after cesarean section (n = 6) and perineum endometriosis (n = 2) and in normal human endometrium (n = 12, reference group) using reverse transcribed-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Total cellular RNA was isolated from the tissues using TriReagent according to the manufacturer's protocol. Total cellular mRNA was transcribed into cDNA with reverse transcriptase (RT) then the survivin gene fragment (430 bp) was amplified with PCR using specific primers. The products of the PCR reaction were separated on 2% agarose gel. The survivin gene was expressed in 4 of 6 cases of scar endometriosis after cesarean section and in 2/2 cases of perineum endometriosis. In all cases of normal endometrium we found the expression of survivin with a peak in the late proliferative phase. The antiapoptosis function of this gene product may play an important role in the endometriotic implant growth promotion.