子宫内膜异位症不孕的表观遗传学研究进展

Progress in research on epigenetics of endometriosis-associated infertility

子宫内膜异位症是生育年龄妇女不孕的主要原因之一,其机制仍不清楚。最新研究发现,子宫内膜异位症可能是一种表观遗传性疾病。DNA甲基化异常和印记功能紊乱是表观遗传异常的主要形式。在子宫内膜异位症中存在DNA的异常甲基化,这种异常甲基化与子宫内膜异位症不孕有关;印记基因对胎儿及胎盘的发育具有十分重要的作用,子宫内膜异位症相关的印记功能紊乱可能影响胚胎着床和发育。该文就DNA甲基化、基因印记与子宫内膜异位症不孕的研究进展作以综述,为子宫内膜异位症不孕新治疗方法的提出提供理论依据。

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease that affects women of childbearing age, and infertility is one of its major manifestations, The mechanism of endometriosis-associated infertility is still unclear, The latest study suggested that endometriosis may be an epigenetic disease, Abnormal DNA methylation and dysfunctional imprinting are major forms of epigenetic abnormality. Abnormal methylation, which presents in endometriosis, may be related to the endometriosis-associated infertility. Imprinted genes are particularly important for fetal and placental developments. Endometriosis related dysfunctional imprinting might influence embryonic implantation and development. In this review, we summarized progress in research on relationship of DNA methylation and gene imprinting with endometriosis-associated infertility, so as to provide a theoretical basis for searching for a new treatment for endometriosis-associated infertility.