Apoptosis and endometriosis
Tasuku Harada1, Fuminori Taniguchi, Masao Izawa
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan. tasuku@grape.med.tottori-u.ac.jp
Summary
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial for uterine health. In endometriosis, apoptosis regulation is altered, potentially driving disease development and offering therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cellular biology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Apoptosis is vital for tissue homeostasis, eliminating senescent cells during the menstrual cycle.
- The BCL-2 family and Fas/FasL system are key regulators of apoptosis in endometrial tissues.
- Endometrial tissues in women with endometriosis exhibit distinct apoptotic profiles compared to healthy controls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological role of apoptosis in normal endometrium.
- To examine alterations in apoptosis regulation in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of endometriosis patients.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting apoptosis in endometriosis treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on apoptosis in normal and endometriotic endometrium.
- Analysis of research on BCL-2 family and Fas/FasL system in endometriosis.
- Examination of clinical applications of apoptosis-targeting therapies for endometriosis.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis plays a critical role in endometrial tissue homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of apoptosis is observed in both eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis.
- Altered apoptosis mechanisms may contribute to endometriosis pathogenesis and cell survival.
- Targeting apoptosis pathways presents a potential therapeutic strategy for endometriosis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding apoptosis dysregulation in endometriosis is key to developing effective treatments.
- Further research linking basic science findings on apoptosis to clinical applications is warranted.
- Targeting apoptosis offers a promising avenue for novel endometriosis therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...