Study of the Expression of Pain and Inflammation Pathway Genes and Their Associated miRNAs in Patients With Endometriosis.
Azam Govahi, Samaneh Rokhgireh, Fateme Arjmand, Mahmood Barati, Marziyeh Ajdary, Shahla Chaichian, Shahla Mirgaloybayat
Abstract
Open AccessIntroduction: Inflammatory mechanisms mediate neuropathies in patients with endometriosis. The ENA-78 and CGRP genes are involved in pain signaling and inflammatory responses in these patients. However, the regulatory role of miRNAs targeting these genes remains unknown. This study is aimed at investigating the expression of CGRP- and ENA-78-related miRNAs in plasma and endometrial tissues in women with endometriosis and comparing it with healthy fertile women. Materials and Methods: Blood plasma, ectopic (EC), and eutopic (EU) endometrium samples from 30 patients with endometriosis and blood plasma and endometrial tissue samples from 30 healthy fertile women were collected. The Q-PCR technique was used to determine the expression levels of ENA-78 and CGRP genes and their associated microRNAs. Results: Expression of the CGRP gene in EC and EU tissues of the endometriosis group increased compared to the control group, and the expression of miRNAs related to this gene (hsa-miR-5584-5p and hsa-miR-410-5p) in EC and EU tissues and serum of endometriosis patients decreased compared to the control group. Also, the expression of the ENA-78 gene in EC and EU tissues of the endometriosis group increased compared to the control group, and the expression of miRNAs related to this gene (hsa-miR-4748 and hsa-miR-92a-3p) in EC and EU tissues and serum of endometriosis patients decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Identification of miRNAs related to the pain and inflammation pathway may provide us with new markers for the evaluation of endometriosis. hsa-miR-5584-5p, hsa-miR-410-5p, hsa-miR-4748, and hsa-miR-92a-3p modulate neuroimmune responses in endometriosis and may serve as future diagnostic or therapeutic targets.