mRNA expression and DNA methylation level of the MMP-2 gene in peritoneal endometriosis

Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease that affects 10% of women of childbearing age. Its development is known to be related to the MMP-2 gene. Specifically, the expression of MMP-2 is increase in endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between mRNA expression and DNA methylation levels of the MMP-2 gene in peritoneal endometriosis.

This study used a cross-sectional design. The samples included peritoneal endometriosis tissue from women with endometriosis and normal endometrial tissue from women without endometriosis. Twenty samples of each type were taken, and the women were 20-45 years of age. Peritoneal endometriosis tissue was acquired using the laparoscopic technique, while normal endometrial tissue was taken with the microcuretase technique. The mRNA expression of the MMP-2 gene was analysed with qRT-PCR, and the level of DNA methylation of the MMP-2 gene was analysed with a methylation-specific PCR method.

The mRNA expression of MMP-2 gene in peritoneal endometriosis tissue was increased, and there were significant differences between peritoneal endometriosis tissue and normal endometrial tissue. The MMP-2 gene was hypermethylated, but there was no significant difference (p = 0.596) between peritoneal endometriosis tissue and endometrial tissue in terms of methylation. This study did not show a significant correlation between mRNA expression and DNA methylation levels of the MMP-2 gene (p = 0.769, r = 0.070).

The increase in MMP-2 gene expression in peritoneal endometriosis tissue is likely not only due to hypermethylation; there are other factors that might play a role.