Expression Pattern of Mitogen-inducible Gene 6 in Relation to the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Pathway and Redox Status in Patients with Endometriosis

Background: Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrium outside the uterus. It is a multi-factorial disease, where different processes facilitate the implantation and survival of ectopic endometrial tissue.

The Aim: This study aims to evaluate the levels of the expression patterns of mitogen-inducible gene 6 (Mig-6) in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of endometriosis patients and their relevance to the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2) and redox status.

Methods: Relative gene expression levels of Mig-6 and the levels of pERK1/2 were assessed in endometrial tissues of control group and in both eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of endometriosis patients .Serum levels of total protein thiols and total protein carbonyls were also assessed in endometriosis and control groups.

Results: Relative gene expression levels of Mig- 6 showed significant lower values in endometriosis group as compared to control group, and they were associated with significant increase in pERK 1/2 levels and altered redox status.

Conclusion: These data, signified a significant role of downregulated Mig-6 expression, and activated ERK 1/2 signaling in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Moreover, it suggested that oxidative stress indicated by high protein carbonyls level contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis and that protein thiols have a defensive role against oxidative stress.