Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis by stromal cell culture through nuclear factor-kappaB activation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of NF-kappaB during the induction of COX-2 by TNF-alpha in the eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosis using stromal cell culture. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study in cultured stromal cells of the eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosis in the presence of TNF-alpha. RESULTS: Within 5-20 minutes of stimulation with TNF-alpha, p-IkappaB was clearly observed in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and in that of women without endometriosis. COX-2 protein was significantly induced by treatment with TNF-alpha in both eutopic endometrial stromal cells of women with and without endometriosis (p < 0.05), but the degree of induction was significantly increased in eutopic endometrial stromal cells of women with endometriosis than those of women without endometriosis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of COX-2 by TNF-alpha in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis may play a critical role in such pathophysiologic processes as endometriosis formation.