Endometriosis: Focusing on Molecular and Cellular Research, 2nd Edition
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 4
Special Issue Editor
Interests: electrochemotherapy; cancer; cell culture; gene expression; immunohistochemistry; cell signaling; apoptosis; cell proliferation; cancer biomarkers; regression analysis; phosphorylation; diagnosis; endometriosis; melanoma; osteoarthritis; articular cartilage; p53; chondrocytes; mesothelioma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Endometriosis is a common disease in the reproductive system that affects approximately 6–10% of women of reproductive age. This disease involves the presence of endometrial cells, glands, and stroma outside the uterus, resulting in symptoms such as pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during sexual intercourse, and subfertility. Despite the great advances made in diagnostics, pharmacology, minimally invasive surgery, and assisted reproduction technologies, endometriosis still represents an unsolved global health issue. The theory still most accepted today regarding its pathogenesis is that of retrograde menstruation, proposed by Sampson about a century ago. Other theories propose phenomena such as the metaplasia of coelomic tissue or activation of stem cells. Recently, an alteration of the organogenesis processes of the uterus has been proposed as a pathogenetic mechanism of endometriosis.
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent condition characterized by elevated estrogen receptor β (ERβ) expression, which suppresses ERα, resulting in a high ERβ/ERα ratio. ERβ contributes to disease progression by modulating apoptosis, mitochondrial function (via NRF1), and oxidative stress (through SOD2 regulation). It also upregulates inflammatory mediators such as COX2 and MMP1, promoting tissue invasion and lesion growth. Recent studies suggest that alterations in the molecular mechanisms regulating adenogenesis and the survival of endometrial structures are closely linked to the development and persistence of endometriotic lesions outside the uterus. Moreover, the chronic inflammatory environment and oxidative stress present in endometriotic lesions may promote genetic and epigenetic alteration, which is possibly responsible for the survival and growth of the endometriosis structures outside of the uterus.
This Special Issue aims to publish advanced research and review articles to allow readers to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing endometriosis and the important prerequisites for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Prof. Dr. Alfonso Baldi
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- endometriosis
- reproductive system
- endometrial cell
- novel treatment
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