Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 mRNA: A Promising Peripheral Blood Marker for Diagnosis of Endometriosis
Abstract
Background/Aims: Endometriosis is an invasive disease. Its diagnosis depends on laparoscopy, which is traumatic and associated with potential complications. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid, reliable, and less invasive diagnostic test for endometriosis. We hypothesized that genes related to cell invasion would be transcriptionally upregulated in endometriosis, and tested whether blood levels of their transcripts might be used as biomarkers of endometriosis.Methods:We used quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to quantify the mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and MMP-9 in peripheral blood from 20 patients with mild/intermediate endometriosis, 20 patients with severe endometriosis and 20 endometriosis-free subjects. Results:Our results indicate that circulating mRNA for MMP-3 is significantly higher in patients with endometriosis than in control patients, regardless of the degree of severity. Conversely, the level of circulating mRNA for VEGFA and MMP-9 did not distinguish patients from controls. Conclusion: MMP-3 mRNA is a promising peripheral blood marker that discriminates between patients with endometriosis and healthy subjects. Our results support the possibility of finding genes suitable for diagnostic qRT-PCR for endometriosis in peripheral blood and should be explored further.
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The same study showed similar levels of MMP-9 and VEGF-A mRNA among cases and controls.
“The same study showed similar levels of MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) mRNA among cases and controls [66].”
From Update on biomarkers for the detection of endometriosis (2015) · cites this paper as [66]
In de Sanctis et al., mRNA levels of MMP-3 were significantly higher in stage II-IV endometriosis cases than in controls.
“In a study by de Sanctis et al., mRNA levels of MMP-3 were significantly higher in stage II–IV endometriosis cases than in controls [66].”
From Update on biomarkers for the detection of endometriosis (2015) · cites this paper as [66]
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- Authors
- De Sanctis, P., Elmakky, A., Farina, A., Caramelli, E., Seracchioli, R., Mabrouk, M., Mignemi, G., Venturoli, S., Villa, G., Guerrini, M., Manuzzi, L., Montanari, G., Valvassori, L., & Zucchini, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Bologna (IT)
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola (IT)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2010-12-09
- Volume
- 71
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 118-123
- ISSN
- 0378-7346 (ISSN-L)
- 1423-002X
- OpenAlex
- W2063425267
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 1.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms
- Keywords
- endometriosis, matrix metalloproteinase-3, peripheral blood biomarkers, non-invasive diagnosis, VEGF-A, MMP-9, circulating mRNA, endometriosis severity
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Endometriosis, Female, Humans, RNA, Messenger, Biomarkers, Matrix Metalloproteinase 3, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Matrix Metalloproteinase 9, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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