Apoptose no endométrio: humano e endometriose / Apoptosis in the endometrium: human and endometriosis

RESUMO

A apoptose tem papel fundamental na manutenção da homeostase tissular e na eliminação de células geneticamente alteradas ou que albergam vírus. No ciclo menstrual, a apoptose atua contribuindo para a homeostase celular do endométrio, eliminando as células da camada funcional endometrial durante as fases secretora e menstrual do ciclo. A família do oncogene Bcl-2 tem sido extensamente estudada no tecido endometrial e endometriótico. O endométrio eutópico de mulheres com a endometriose apresenta diferenças fundamentais ao ser comparado com o endométrio de pacientes sem endometriose. Essas diferenças podem ser responsáveis pela sobrevida das células endometriais advindas do fluxo menstrual retrógrado na cavidade peritoneal e no desenvolvimento da endometriose. Este artigo consiste numa revisão da literatura sobre a importância da morte celular via apoptose no endométrio normal e no endométrio de mulheres portadoras de endometriose.

ABSTRACT

Apoptosis is very important in the homeostasis of tissues. Its function consists in the elimination of the excessive or disfunctional cells. In menstrual cycle, the role of apoptosis is the homeostasis of endometrium, eliminating all cells of the functional layer during secretory phase and menstruation. The oncogene Bcl-2 family has been studied in endometrium and endometriosis. Ectopic endometrium from women with endometriosis has differences from endometrium of patients without the disease. These differences can be responsible for the survival of endometrial cells regurgitated in peritoneal cavity and development of endometriosis. The apoptosis is being studied in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. This paper consists in a review of apoptosis, its role in the endometrium of patients with and without endometriosis.