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DFF45 expression in ovarian endometriomas
Tomasz Banas1, Krzysztof Skotniczny, Antoni Basta
1Jagiellonian University, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 23 Kopernika Street, 30-501 Krakow, Poland. tbanas@mp.pl
Objective:
Endometriosis, defined as a spread of endometrium outside the uterus cavity, affects up to 30% women of reproductive age, with the ovaries being its most common localization. In the ectopic lesions, endometrial cells show abnormal proliferation and impaired apoptosis. The DNA destruction during apoptosis is a direct result of activation of the DFF40/DFF45 complex. DFF40 (DNA fragmentation factor of 40 kDa) is responsible for direct DNA fragmentation while DFF45 (DNA fragmentation factor of 45 kDa) acts not only as a DFF40 inhibitor, but also as its chaperone. Therefore, the presence of DFF45 is required for proper DFF40 synthesis. The aim of this study was to determine the DFF45 level in human ovarian endometriosis.
Study Design:
The endometriosis samples were collected from 43 affected women, while the 81 normal endometrial specimens were obtained from the control group. Western blot and immunohistochemistry tests were used to determine the DFF45 level in examined tissues.
Results:
The expression of DFF45 in normal human endometrium and ovarian endometriosis was confirmed using both the Western blot and the immunohistochemistry tests. In normal eutopic proliferatory endometrium, a lower DFF45 expression was observed compared with secretory endometrium, while no cyclic changes in DFF45 expression were observed in the ovarian endometriomas. In the normal eutopic endometrium, stronger DFF45 staining was noted in the endometrial glands in comparison to the stroma, irrespective of menstrual cycle phase. However, in the ovarian endometriosis no difference between the glandular layer and stroma in DFF45 immunoreactivity was appreciated. The lowest level of DFF45 was observed in ovarian endometriosis when compared with both normal eutopic proliferatory and secretory endometria using the Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis.
Conclusions:
A decreased level of DFF45 observed in ovarian endometriosis may be a part of an apoptosis-resistant mechanism enhancing the disease progression.
Insights
Ovarian endometriosis shows decreased levels of DNA fragmentation factor 45 (DFF45), a protein crucial for apoptosis. This reduction may contribute to apoptosis resistance and disease progression in endometriosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Endometriosis affects up to 30% of women of reproductive age, commonly localized in the ovaries.
- Ectopic endometrial cells in endometriosis exhibit abnormal proliferation and impaired apoptosis.
- The DNA fragmentation factor 45 (DFF45) plays a critical role in apoptosis regulation and DFF40 synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of DFF45 in human ovarian endometriosis.
- To compare DFF45 levels between normal endometrium and endometriotic tissues.
Main Methods:
- Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to analyze DFF45 expression.
- Tissue samples were obtained from 43 women with endometriosis and 81 controls.
Main Results:
- DFF45 expression was confirmed in both normal endometrium and ovarian endometriosis.
- Ovarian endometriosis exhibited significantly lower DFF45 levels compared to normal eutopic endometrium.
- Unlike normal endometrium, ovarian endometriosis showed no difference in DFF45 staining between glandular and stromal layers.
Conclusions:
- Decreased DFF45 levels in ovarian endometriosis may indicate an apoptosis-resistant mechanism.
- This reduction in DFF45 could be a contributing factor to the progression of endometriosis.
