Supervisors info:
Μαυρογιάννη Δέσποινα, Μέλος Ε.ΔΙ.Π, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Σοφοκλής Σταύρος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Δρακάκης Πέτρος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Endometriosis represents a prevalent gynecological disorder, exhibiting an escalating incidence over recent years. This condition entails the ectopic presence of tissue bearing histological resemblances to endometrial tissue, most frequently observed in the ovaries. Notably, endometriosis frequently coincides with dysmenorrhea and has been intricately associated with an array of deleterious consequences affecting the overall health, daily life, and fertility of affected women. The definitive confirmation of endometriosis requires invasive surgical exploration, typically through laparoscopy, rendering its diagnosis often challenging and occasionally met with reluctance on the part of afflicted individuals. The underpinning pathophysiological mechanisms of this disorder remain a subject of persistent research, with variations in protein levels and regulatory molecules, such as microRNAs, having been identified and correlated with the condition. Notably, cellular proliferation, growth, migration, and apoptosis of endometrial cells are believed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of this disease.
Within the framework of the present study, microRNA-194 (miR-194) levels were ascertained through Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real Time - PCR) in samples of both normal and endometrial tissue procured from women presenting with endometriosis. The principal objective of this investigation was to elucidate the potential role of miR-194 in endometriosis and to establish a correlation between its levels, whether elevated or diminished, and the susceptibility to developing the condition. In parallel, efforts were made to discern the levels of miR-194 in the normal and endometrial tissue derived from the same subjects, with the aim of comprehending its potential role as a modulatory mechanism contributing to the development of cells in ectopic locations. The control cohort was composed of women without a history of endometriosis.
The analysis of the dataset revealed that among the control subjects (n=9) and the group that included patients who developed endometriosis either in the form of individual cysts (n=6) or in the form of cysts and invasive alteration (n=7) there was not a statistically significant difference in miR-194 expression levels. Moreover, an examination of endometrial and non-endometrial tissues from the same individuals uncovered the fact that there is no statistically significant change regarding miR-194 expression levels. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that, owing to the limited sample size under scrutiny, these specific findings warrant further in-depth exploration.
The examination of microRNA-194 levels as a potential biomarker pertinent to endometriosis and, secondarily, to fertility, presents an avenue for further research. Such research holds the promise of advancing our comprehension of the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning this malady, facilitating early diagnosis and preventative measures, and potentially complete recovery for women grappling with the challenges posed by endometriosis.
Keywords:
Endometriosis, MicroRNA, MiR-194, ZEB proteins, Gene expression
