Aberrant expression of the pluripotency marker SOX-2 in endometriosis

Fertil Steril. 2011 Jan;95(1):338-41. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.08.006. Epub 2010 Sep 20.

Abstract

Expression of the pluripotency factors SOX-2, OCT-4, KLF-4, and NANOG was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence microscopy in the endometrium, myometrium, and endometriotic tissue of 36 patients. Aberrant expression of SOX-2 may indicate a stem cell origin of endometriosis, whereas the presence of all progenitor markers in endometrial tissue marks the endometrium as a potential source for induced pluripotent stem cell generation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Endometriosis* / genetics
  • Endometriosis* / metabolism
  • Endometriosis* / pathology
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Endometrium / physiology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / genetics
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Stem Cell Niche / pathology
  • Stem Cell Niche / physiology
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / physiology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • KLF4 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • NANOG protein, human
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • POU5F1 protein, human
  • SOX2 protein, human
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors