P27kip1 as a Key Regulator of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecological benign chronic disease defined as the growth of endometrial glands and stroma in extra-uterine sites, most commonly implanted over visceral and peritoneal surfaces within the female pelvis causing inflammatory lesions. It affects around 10% of the female population and is often accompanied by chronic pelvic pain, adhesion formation and infertility. The expression of cell cycle and inflammatory proteins is modified in the endometriotic tissues. Immunostaining of glandular and stromal cells in endometrial biopsies obtained from patients with endometriosis compared with those of healthy control demonstrated that endometriotic tissues have lower levels of p27kip1 protein. Endometriosis endometrial cells cultures have also lower levels of p27kip1 compared to health endometrial cells cultures and restore the cell cycle balance when transduced with an adenoviral vector caring the p27kip1 coding gene (Adp27EGFP). The low levels of p27kip1 are related to the S phase in the cell cycle, whereas higher levels lead to a G1 cell cycle arrest. The goal of this highlight review is to provide a broad overview of the advancements in endometriosis mainly correlating the cytokine p27kip1 expression with the disease regulation. This review is a synopsis of important findings for researchers to quickly and relevant sources of interest to his/her studies.