Endometriosis Knowledgebase


A repository for genes associated with endometriosis

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PMID 10365101
Gene Name TNC
Condition Endometriosis
Association Associated
Sex Female
Associated genes Tenascin
Other associated phenotypes Endometriosis
Tenascin is differentially expressed in endometrium and endometriosis.

J Pathol. 1999 Jan;187(2):242-8.

Harrington, D J| Lessey, B A| Rai, V| Bergqvist, A| Kennedy, S| Manek, S| Barlow, D H| Mardon, H J

Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, U.K.

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovary and peritoneum. The aetiology of endometriosis is not understood, although the adhesion of endometrial cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) would be expected to play a central role in its pathogenesis. The expression of ECM molecules in endometrium and in endometriosis has been investigated using immunohistochemistry and western blotting techniques. The ECM components collagen IV, laminin, vitronectin, and fibronectin had a similar pattern of expression throughout the menstrual cycle in endometrium and endometriosis. Expression of tenascin was elevated in the stroma of the functionalis region of the endometrium during the proliferative stage of the menstrual cycle and in endometriosis. Tenascin expression in endometriosis was not modulated according to the stage of the menstrual cycle. It is concluded that expression of tenascin is strictly regulated in endometrium and may be important in endometrial regeneration and in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Mesh Terms: Adult| Blotting, Western| Cell Division/physiology| Collagen/metabolism| Endometriosis/*metabolism/pathology| Endometrium/*metabolism| Female| Fibronectins/metabolism| Humans| Immunoenzyme Techniques| Laminin/metabolism| Menstrual Cycle/metabol