The role of the adhesion molecule Nectin-4 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis
Objective:
Nectins are immunoglobulin-like adhesion molecules, and they play important role in cell proliferation and tumor metastasis. The objective in this study was to compare the expression of Nectin-4 in normal endometrium and in ectopic endometriotic tissues.
Materials And Methods:
Nectin-4 expression was investigated in ovarian endometriosis (n = 20), peritoneal endometriosis (n = 20), endometrium of endometriosis (n = 20), and in a control group (having no endometriosis) (n = 20) by immunohistochemical method.
Results:
Nectin-4 expression, when compared with control group, was higher in endometriotic lesions of patients having ovarian endometriosis and peritoneal endometriosis (p = 0.003 and p = 0.009, respectively). This difference was significant in the endometrium of patients having endometriosis (p = 0.011).
Conclusion:
The authors believe that Nectin-4 molecule may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. For this reason, the use of medicines developed against this molecule in the treatment of endometriosis may be useful.
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