Evaluation of estrogen in endometriosis patients: Regulation of GATA-3 in endometrial cells and effects on Th2 cytokines.

AIMS: Endometriosis (EM) is a hormone-dependent chronic inflammatory disease, usually accompanied by a high level of localized estrogen and abnormal levels of cytokines, which are regulated by GATA-3 in lymphocytes. This study aimed to investigate the role of estrogen on GATA-3 expression and the relationship between GATA-3 and cytokine response.

METHODS

Endometrial tissues collected from 20 patients who underwent laparoscopic or open surgery were used. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, cell transfection, estrogen treatments and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to evaluate the effects of estrogen on GATA-3 expression and the relationship between estrogen-induced GATA-3 and the Th2 immune status of EM.

RESULTS

Estrogen regulated the expression of GATA-3 in a dose and time-dependent manner. GATA-3 was relocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Estrogen and GATA-3 regulated Th2 cytokine expression in eutopic endometrial cells, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10. Moreover, interferon-γ and IL-2 were highly expressed in the GATA-3 knockdown groups.

CONCLUSION

In summary, GATA-3 was induced by estrogen and may promote the occurrence and development of EM by regulating the secretion of cytokines in the eutopic endometrial cells of EM patients.