<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Endometriosis is a debilitating gynecological disease defined as the presence of endometrium-like epithelium and/or stroma outside the uterine cavity. The most commonly affected sites are the pelvic peritoneum, ovaries, uterosacral ligaments, and the rectovaginal septum. The aberrant tissue responds to hormonal stimulation, undergoing cyclical growth and shedding similar to appropriately located endometrial tissue in the uterus. Common symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods and ovulation, severe pelvic cramping, heavy bleeding, pain during sex, urination and bowel pain, bleeding, and pain between periods. Numerous theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Sampson’s theory of retrograde menstruation is considered to be the most accepted. This theory assumes that endometriosis occurs due to the retrograde flow of endometrial cells through the fallopian tubes during menstruation. However, it has been shown that this process takes place in 90% of women, while endometriosis is diagnosed in only 10% of them. This means that there must be a mechanism that blocks the immune system from removing endometrial cells and interferes with its function, leading to implantation of the ectopic endometrium and the formation of lesions. In this review, we consider the contribution of components of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)-I-mediated antigen-processing pathway, such as the ERAP, TAP, LMP, LNPEP, and tapasin, to the susceptibility, onset, and severity of endometriosis. These elements can induce significant changes in MHC-I-bound peptidomes that may influence the response of immune cells to ectopic endometrial cells.</p>
</abstract>

Endometriosis is a debilitating gynecological disease defined as the presence of endometrium-like epithelium and/or stroma outside the uterine cavity. The most commonly affected sites are the pelvic peritoneum, ovaries, uterosacral ligaments, and the rectovaginal septum. The aberrant tissue responds to hormonal stimulation, undergoing cyclical growth and shedding similar to appropriately located endometrial tissue in the uterus. Common symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods and ovulation, severe pelvic cramping, heavy bleeding, pain during sex, urination and bowel pain, bleeding, and pain between periods. Numerous theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Sampson’s theory of retrograde menstruation is considered to be the most accepted. This theory assumes that endometriosis occurs due to the retrograde flow of endometrial cells through the fallopian tubes during menstruation. However, it has been shown that this process takes place in 90% of women, while endometriosis is diagnosed in only 10% of them. This means that there must be a mechanism that blocks the immune system from removing endometrial cells and interferes with its function, leading to implantation of the ectopic endometrium and the formation of lesions. In this review, we consider the contribution of components of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)-I-mediated antigen-processing pathway, such as the ERAP, TAP, LMP, LNPEP, and tapasin, to the susceptibility, onset, and severity of endometriosis. These elements can induce significant changes in MHC-I-bound peptidomes that may influence the response of immune cells to ectopic endometrial cells.

The Antigen-Processing Pathway via Major Histocompatibility Complex I as a New Perspective in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis

Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Tissue, Immunology, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy

Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Endometriosis is a debilitating gynecological disease defined as the presence of endometrium-like epithelium and/or stroma outside the uterine cavity. The most...

The Antigen-Processing Pathway via Major Histocompatibility Complex I as a New Perspective in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis

Article Category: Review

Published Online: Mar 13, 2024

Page range: -

Received: Nov 02, 2023

Accepted: Jan 30, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aite-2024-0008

Keywords
Endometriosis, ERAP, TAP, LMP, LNPEP, Tapasin

© 2024 Izabela Nowak et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Antigen-Processing Pathway via Major Histocompatibility Complex I as a New Perspective in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis

Article Category: Review

Published Online: Mar 13, 2024

Page range: -

Received: Nov 02, 2023

Accepted: Jan 30, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aite-2024-0008

KeywordsEndometriosis, ERAP, TAP, LMP, LNPEP, Tapasin

© 2024 Izabela Nowak et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Endometriosis, ERAP, TAP, LMP, LNPEP, Tapasin