上皮-间质转化在子宫腺肌病中作用的研究进展

子宫腺肌病(ADS)是子宫内膜腺体及间质侵入子宫肌层导致的以子宫局灶或弥漫性增大为主要改变的良性疾病,其具体发病机制尚不清楚。目前多数研究者认为ADS是基底层内膜细胞增生、侵入到肌层间质的结果。在上皮-间质转化(EMT)过程中,上皮细胞失去细胞极性,细胞间紧密连接和黏附连接减弱,获得了浸润性和游走迁移能力,成为具有间质细胞功能和特性的细胞。EMT在肿瘤形成中赋予细胞迁移、浸润的能力,而ADS发生、发展过程中子宫内膜细胞侵入肌层的生物学行为与之非常相似。已有研究表明EMT在ADS形成中具有重要作用。目前ADS的临床治疗面临较多的挑战,因此阐明ADS的发生机制是寻求临床早期预防、治疗ADS有效方法的关键。

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis(ADS)is a common benign gynecological disorder characterized by the invasion of endometrial glands and stroma into the myometrial wall,which may result in uterine focal or diffuse enlargement.However,the pathogenesis of ADS has not been illuminated yet.Currently,most researchers think that abnormal proliferation of the basal endometrial cells and their invasion to the myometrium are the leading cause of adenomyosis.Whereas,the precise factors that induce to the aberrant invasion of endometrium are still unknown.During the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),epithelial cells lost cell polarity,and cell tight junction and adhesive junction both weaken.They acquire infiltration and migration ability and become cells like mesenchymal cells.EMT induces cell migration and infiltration during tumorgenesis.The biological behavior of endometrial cells invading myometrium of ADS is very similar to the EMT.It has been demonstrated that EMT plays an important role in the development of ADS.As for the clinical treatment of ADS is facing many challenges,illuminating the pathogenesis of ADS would be the key to explore an effective way for prevention and treatment of ADS.