The Role of DJ-1 in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

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PLoS One. 2011; 6(3): e18074.

Published online 2011 March 21. doi:  10.1371/journal.pone.0018074

PMCID: PMC3061880

The Role of DJ-1 in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Priyanka Rai and Sisinthy Shivaji*

Jean-Marc Vanacker, Editor

Author information ► Article notes ► Copyright and License information ►

Abstract

Background

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease causing pelvic pain and infertility in 10% of reproductive-aged women. Despite a long history of the disease the pathogenesis of endometriosis is poorly understood. It is known that the expression of several proteins is either up or down regulated during endometriosis, but their precise role remains to be determined. DJ-1 is one such protein that is upregulated in eutopic endometrium of women having endometriosis suggesting that DJ-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis

Link to the rest: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3061880/

Thanks to U.S. National Library of Medicine

Baylor scientists receive $1.35 million from Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Baylor scientists receive $1.35 million from Ovarian Cancer Research Fund


HOUSTON -- (January 9, 2012) -- Two Baylor College of Medicine researchers have received three-year grants totaling $1.35 million from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund for studies directed toward earlier detection of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cause of cancer among U.S. women and the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in women. An estimated 22,000 will be diagnosed with the disorder this year and more than 15,000 will die of it.



"Investigating ARID1A
Over the next three years, Hawkins will research why some women with endometriosis (the growth of cells that usually line the uterus outside that organ, often on the ovary) go on to develop a kind of ovarian cancer known as endometrioid or clear cell ovarian cancer.

"Additionally, women with endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer have a better prognosis than women without endometriosis," she said.

She will look at a gene called ARID1A that may play a role in the transformation from endometriosis cells to ovarian cancer cells. How ARID1A plays a role in the formation of tumors is not yet understood, and Hawkins plans to study both benign and malignant human tissue to find mutations in ARID1A. She will work in cell cultures to determine if ARID1A leads to increased growth of cancer cells because of interaction with other cancer genes. She will create a mouse model to mimic the low levels of ARID1A and see how early tumors form as well as to study potential therapies."
Click here to read entire article: http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsID=5022

New Risks for Women with Endometriosis

New Risks for Women with Endometriosis
By Heidi Anne Duerr, MPH | January 3, 2012

Endometriosis affects as many as 6% of the general population. While some women with endometriosis remain asymptomatic, many women experience dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-cyclical pelvic pain, and subfertility. Now, new research indicates that patients with endometriosis are also more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease.
Read the rest here: http://hcp.obgyn.net/endometriosis/content/article/1760982/2012566

Endometriosis Linked to IBD

Endometriosis puts women at risk for Crohns Ulcerative Colitis
By: Lindsay Patterson

Reviewed By: Joseph V. Madia, MD

(dailyRx)Endometriosis is a common reproductive disorder that affects women during their childbearing years. It is often connected with infertility, and now, it's also been linked to inflammatory bowel disease.

New research has found that women with endometriosis are at least twice as likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Click here to read the rest: http://www.dailyrx.com/news-article/endometriosis-puts-women-risk-crohns-ulcerative-colitis-16651.html