Expression Profiling of Immune-Related Genes in Different Samples from Patients with Endometriosis Revealed Upregulation of THBS1, CHGB and CYR61

Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory, estrogen-dependent disease that affects approximately 6–10% of women of reproductive age. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of 48 immune-related genes in different types of biological samples from patients with histologically confirmed endometriosis compared to a control group. We analyzed (1) patients’ endometrial tissue, ectopic lesions, and menstrual and venous blood, as well as (2) the control group’s endometrial tissue and menstrual and venous blood. After RNA isolation, expression analysis of 48 immune-related genes was performed using NanoString nCounter® Elements XT technology. All samples were normalized using nSolver Analysis Software, including control normalization and the use of a reference gene, as well as additional approaches for the detection of reliable differential expression. Expressions of the analyzed genes were similar in venous blood between patients and the controls; no significant dysregulation was found in menstrual blood. Most of the analyzed genes were upregulated in patients’ endometria. Three genes attracted our attention due to their overexpression in ectopic lesions. We were able to demonstrate the differential expression of three genes in ectopic lesions, suggesting their association with the development of endometriosis—THBS1, CHGB, and CYR61. The evidently higher expression of THBS1 in the ectopic lesions nominates this molecule as a potential therapeutic target in endometriosis as well.