The Expression of B-Catenin in the Epithelial Cells and Stromal Cells of endometriosis and normal endometrial cells

Endometriosis is a common benign disease defined bythe presence of the endometrial epithelial and stromal cells outside of the uterine cavity. To date, the etiology, pathogenesis and path-physiology are not fully clarified. The understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of endometriosis is crucial in novel strategic therapeutic approaches for the endometriosis. The purpose of the present study was to examine the expression pattern, the intensity and the sub localization of B-catenin in both ectopic and eutopic endometrial cells during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. A total number of 41 tissue samples were included in this study, where endometriotic tissue samples (n=26)and normal endometrial tissue samples (n=15) were investigated using immunohistochemistry(IHC)method to detect the expression patterns of B-catenin. While, the Immunoperoxidase staining technique and semi-quantitative scoring system were used to quantify the results and the comparisons between endometriotic tissues and normal endometrial tissues were also performed. Compared with normal endometrial tissues, our study found a decreased B-catenin expression in endometriotic tissues. Both, Endometriotic tissues of the ovary from non-pregnant and the peritoneum showed a statistically significant reduced- B-catenin expression (P < 0.001) when compared with the normal endometrial cell (P < 0. 05). Besides theDifferent expression modes of B-catenin in ectopic and eutopic endometrial cells was also been detected. In conclusion the down-expression of B-catenin may have an essential role in the invasion, proliferation and differentiation of endometriosis. The alteration of expression of B-catenin may take part in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.