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Abstract: Transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-βs) are elevated during menstruation and are involved in endometriosis. Similarly, matrix metalloproteinases like MMP-2 are also highly expressed in patients with endometriosis. Expression of gelatinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, is increased by TGF-βs. TGF-βs bind and activate receptor-mediated Smad proteins to mediate gene expression, however, also non-Smad signaling pathways participate in signal transduction of the TGF-βs. In this study, we found that of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is higher in stromal cells especially in endometriotic cells compared to epithelial cells. Treatment of endometrial and endometriotic stromal and epithelial cells with TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 decreased cell numbers, induced Smad3 phosphorylation, and enhanced MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion in all cell lines studied. Whereas a TGF-β receptor inhibito