Endometriosis Knowledgebase


A repository for genes associated with endometriosis

Results


PMID 23427178
Gene Name TNF
Condition Endometriosis
Association Associated
Sex Female
Associated genes TNFA, EGR1
Other associated phenotypes Ovulatory dysfunction in endometriosis
Elevated peritoneal fluid TNF-alpha incites ovarian early growth response factor 1 expression and downstream protease mediators: a correlation with ovulatory dysfunction in endometriosis.

Reprod Sci. 2013 May;20(5):514-23. doi: 10.1177/1933719113477479. Epub 2013 Feb

Birt, Julie A| Nabli, Henda| Stilley, Julie A| Windham, Emma A| Frazier, Shellaine R| Sharpe-Timms, Kathy L

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.

Endometriosis-associated infertility manifests itself via multiple, poorly understood mechanisms. Our goal was to characterize signaling pathways, between peritoneal endometriotic lesions and the ovary, leading to failed ovulation. Genome-wide microarray analysis comparing ovarian tissue from an in vivo endometriosis model in the rat (Endo) with controls (Sham) identified 22 differentially expressed genes, including transiently expressed early growth response factor 1 (Egr1). The Egr1 regulates gene requisites for ovulation. The Egr1 promoter is responsive to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) signaling. We hypothesized that altered expression of ovarian EGR1 is induced by elevated peritoneal fluid TNF-alpha which is upregulated by the presence of peritoneal endometriosis. Endo rats, compared to controls, had more peritoneal fluid TNF-alpha and quantitative, spatial differences in Egr1 mRNA and EGR1 protein localization in follicular compartments. Interactions between elevated peritoneal fluid TNF-alpha and overexpression of follicular Egr1/EGR1 expression may affect downstream protease pathways impeding ovulation in endometriosis. Preliminary studies identified similar patterns of EGR1 protein localization in human ovaries from women with endometriosis and compared to those without endometriosis.

Mesh Terms: Animals| Ascitic Fluid/immunology/*metabolism| Binding Sites| Case-Control Studies| Disease Models, Animal| Early Growth Response Protein 1/genetics/*metabolism| Endometriosis/*enzymology/genetics/immunology/physiopathology| Female| Gene Expressio