Volume 32, Issue 2 (Summer 2025)                   J Birjand Univ Med Sci. 2025, 32(2): 79-97 | Back to browse issues page

Research code: IR.YAZD.REC.1403.001
Ethics code: IR.YAZD.REC.1403.001


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Khatami M, Heidari M M, Hajisafari Tafti M. Exploring the pathologic role of microRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic markers in endometriosis: A narrative review. J Birjand Univ Med Sci. 2025; 32 (2) :79-97
URL: http://journal.bums.ac.ir/article-1-3518-en.html
1- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran , m.khatami@yazd.ac.ir
2- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
3- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran & Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Abstract:   (561 Views)
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. The pathophysiology of this condition is complex and multifactorial, with recent research indicating that microRNAs may play an important role as post-transcriptional regulators in managing pathogenic processes, including inflammation, cell proliferation, vascularization, and resistance to apoptosis. This study examines the role of miRNAs in the pathophysiology of endometriosis and explores the potential mechanisms through which they influence the disease progression. Current findings suggest that certain miRNAs (such as miR-145, miR-200b, and miR-451) are expressed differently in endometriotic tissues and are associated with the negative regulation of their target genes within inflammatory signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor- Kappa B (NF-κB) and cell growth pathways (e.g., VEGF and Wnt/β-catenin). Furthermore, the impaired expression of miRNAs may contribute to increased cell invasion and metastasis, which are critical characteristics of endometriosis. Given that endometriosis is recognized as an inflammatory disease, it is reasonable to consider the relationship between the onset of endometriosis and alterations in miRNA expression. Recent studies have also indicated changes in the expression levels of several miRNAs in both endometriotic lesions and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis, compared to healthy individuals. This study concludes that miRNAs, functioning as epigenetic regulators, hold significant promise as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in endometriosis. Nevertheless, additional research is required to elucidate their precise mechanisms of action and clinical significance.
Full-Text [PDF 1034 kb]   (258 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Review | Subject: Reproductive Biology
Received: 2025/05/10 | Accepted: 2025/06/30 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/08/12 | ePublished: 2025/07/1

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