Abstract
Purpose
Ectopic endometrial tissue is biochemically and functionally distinct from eutopic endometrium, including differences in receptivity to steroids and invasive potential. For this reason, using ectopic endometrial tissue to induce endometriosis in animal models may be of interest to understand better the pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of human pelvic endometriotic lesions (specifically red lesions) to implant into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice.
Methods
Human peritoneal endometriotic tissue (red lesions) was injected into the pelvic cavity of nude mice. The mice were euthanized after 5 or 14 days, lesions were recovered, and histological analysis was performed. Proliferative activity and neoangiogenesis of lesions were assessed after Ki67 and CD34 immunohistological staining, respectively.
Results
After 5 and 14 days, endometriotic tissue was found to have implanted onto intact mesothelium and reorganized into structured glands and stroma, forming endometriosis-like lesions. These lesions showed considerable proliferative activity and effective neoangiogenesis.
Conclusion
This model represents a promising tool to study in vivo implantation of human ectopic endometrium, which is dissimilar to eutopic endometrium. Moreover, this study shows that glands and stroma detached from red endometriotic lesions are able to implant in other peritoneal sites, as in a metastatic process.
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