Differential expression of genes and microRNAs related to adhesion and apoptosis pathways in deep and superficial lesions of patients with endometriosis

Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease, which mainly affects women in reproductive age and is associated with pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility. The processes of adhesion and escape of apoptosis seem essential for the development and maintenance of this disease. In addition, more recently, the importance of microRNAs in the pathophysiology of endometriosis has been reported. Despite this knowledge, further studies aimed at investigating the etiology of endometriosis are still needed in order to make it easier to research and develop new therapeutic targets.Objectives:The aim of this work is to investigate the expression profile of genes (MAPK1 and CAPN2) and microRNAs (miR-30a-5p, miR-7-5p, miR-143-3p and miR-93-5p) involved in adhesion and apoptosis pathways in superficial peritoneal endometriosis and deep infiltrating endometriosis and to evaluate whether these lesions share the same pathophysiological mechanisms.Patients and Methods: We will use samples of deep lesion (n = 10) and superficial lesion (n = 10) of patients affected by endometriosis under treatment at Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto. The collection will be performed during laparoscopy and the tissue will be stored in liquid nitrogen, for further analysis of the gene expression by the RQ-PCR technique. An RNA extraction should be used with Trizol Reagent (Invitrogen, USA), a cDNA synthesis will be performed with commercial kit High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription (Applied Biosystems) and RQ-PCR using TaqMan Assay-on-demand (Applied Biosystems). (AU)