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Human Reproduction Update Advance Access published online on September 22, 2009
Human Reproduction Update, doi:10.1093/humupd/dmp034
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

The role of microRNAs in endometriosis and associated reproductive conditions

E. Maria C. Ohlsson Teague1,3, Cristin G. Print2 and M. Louise Hull1,3

1 School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, The Robinson Institute, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia 2 Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

To whom correspondence should be addressed at: 3 Correspondence address. Tel: +61-8-83033376; Fax: +61-8-83034099; E-mail: maria.teague{at}adelaide.edu.au (E.M.C.O.T.)/louise.hull{at}adelaide.edu.au (M.L.H.)

BACKGROUND: microRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Recent research has shown that miRNAs and their target mRNAs are differentially expressed in endometriosis and other disorders of the female reproductive system. Since miRNAs control a broad spectrum of normal and pathological cellular functions, they may play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of these disorders.

METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken of the published literature on; (i) the expression and functions of miRNAs in mammalian female reproductive tissues with a focus on endometriosis and the malignancies and fertility disorders related to this disease; and (ii) the potential roles played by validated mRNA targets of endometriosis-associated miRNAs. The current understanding of the biology of miRNAs is overviewed and the potential diagnostic and therapeutic potential of miRNAs in endometriosis is highlighted.

RESULTS: The differential expression of miRNAs in endometriosis, and the putative molecular pathways constituted by their targets, suggests that miRNAs may play an important role in endometriotic lesion development. Models for miRNA regulatory functions in endometriosis are presented, including those associated with hypoxia, inflammation, tissue repair, TGFβ-regulated pathways, cell growth, cell proliferation, apoptosis, extracellular matrix remodelling and angiogenesis. In addition, specific miRNAs which may be associated with malignant progression and subfertility in endometriosis are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS: miRNAs appear to be potent regulators of gene expression in endometriosis and its associated reproductive disorders, raising the prospect of using miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic tools in endometriosis.

Key words: endometriosis / microRNA / gene expression / female reproductive tract cancer / female infertility

Received on April 29, 2009; revised August 11, 2009; accepted on August 14, 2009


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