Iron-Storage Protein Ferritin Is Upregulated in Endometriosis and Iron Overload Contributes to a Migratory Phenotype.

ABSTRACT: High levels of iron in the peritoneal cavity during menstruation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. However, whether iron directly affects the growth or migration of human endometriotic cells is poorly understood. This study demonstrated the presence of increased levels of the iron storage protein, ferritin, in the endometriotic tissues of patients with endometriosis. Furthermore, iron treatment stimulated the migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), but not growth, of 12Z human endometriotic cells. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/-9 was markedly increased through iron treatment in 12Z cells. Interestingly, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were significantly increased by iron in 12Z cells, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine si

SUBMITTER: Woo JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7694081 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature