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Chemokines and Their Association With Symptom Severity in Women With Endometriosis

  • 0Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Journal of Reproductive Immunology +

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September 4, 2025

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September 4, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Chemokines like CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL1 are linked to endometriosis pain. Higher levels of these chemokines, especially CXCL1, correlate with increased pain severity in women with endometriosis.

Area Of Science

  • Reproductive immunology
  • Pain research
  • Molecular biology

Background

  • Endometriosis is associated with chronic pelvic pain.
  • Chemokines (CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL1) are implicated in pain signaling and inflammation.
  • The role of specific chemokines in endometriosis-related pain severity requires further elucidation.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the association between serum and endometrial chemokine levels (CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL1) and pain severity in women with endometriosis.
  • To explore potential differences in chemokine profiles between women with endometriosis and healthy controls.
  • To identify specific chemokines that may serve as biomarkers for endometriosis pain.

Main Methods

  • Cross-sectional study involving women with endometriosis (with/without hormonal treatment) and healthy controls.
  • Serum sampling and endometrial biopsy during the secretory phase.
  • Pain assessment using the Endometriosis Health Profile 30 (EHP-30) pain domain and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Main Results

  • Lower serum CCL2 and CXCL1, and endometrial CXCL8 in endometriosis patients versus controls.
  • Increased serum CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL1 correlated with higher EHP-30 pain scores.
  • Elevated endometrial CXCL8 and CXCL1 correlated with higher VAS pain scores.
  • CXCL1 showed consistent association with pain severity, irrespective of hormonal treatment.

Conclusions

  • Chemokines, particularly CXCL1, are associated with increased pain severity and reduced quality of life in endometriosis.
  • Serum and endometrial CXCL1 levels may serve as potential indicators of pain intensity in endometriosis.
  • Causality cannot be established; further research is warranted.

Keywords:

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