TGF-β’s Role in the Development of Endometriosis

Endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease, is characterized by tissue abnormally growing outside of the uterus. Although the pathogenesis of endometriosis is not completely established, the widely accepted cause is retrograde menstruation. This phenomenon occurs in 90% of women, but does not account for the small percentage of women who actually develop endometriosis (6-10%). The likely cause for this small percentage is infiltration of the endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs), in eutopic (normal) and ectopic (abnormal) locations, such as the mesothelium. Their increased migration and proliferation abilities via the TGF-β pathway favor endometriosis-associated environments