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Journal Article Review Ppublish 24 citations

PubMed: 39828017 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2025.103752

Endometriosis and autoimmunity.

Autoimmun Rev 24(4):103752

Authors: Luz P Blanco, Noemi Salmeri, Sarah M Temkin, Victoria K Shanmugam, Pamela Stratton

Affiliations

  • National Institute of Arthritis, and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.
  • Office of Research on Women's Health, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.
  • Office of Autoimmune Disease Research, Office of Research on Women's Health, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.
  • Office of Research on Women's Health, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America; Scientific Consulting Group, Gaithersburg, MD, United States of America.

Abstract

Endometriosis is a female-specific chronic condition that affects 1 in 10 women and other individuals with a uterus worldwide with common symptoms that include pelvic pain and infertility. Reliable and effective non-invasive biomarkers for endometriosis do not exist, and therefore currently a diagnosis of endometriosis requires direct visualization of lesions at surgery. Similarly, few safe and effective management strategies exist for endometriosis, with hormonal interventions and surgery only providing temporary symptom control. The development of endometriosis involves the implantation and proliferation of ectopic endometrial cells which triggers local and systemic inflammation and fibrosis. While multiple genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors appear to influence the natural history of endometriosis, chronic inflammation is a hallmark feature associated with development and progression of the disease. Data further shows that endometriosis commonly co-occurs with autoimmune diseases, adding evidence that immune dysfunction likely contributes to the pathogenesis of this disorder. Specific innate and adaptive immune system drivers of endometriosis remain to be identified and additional research is needed to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of this debilitating disease. In this narrative review, we discuss the shared biological mechanisms and plausible immune-related connections between endometriosis and autoimmunity.

MeSH

Endometriosis, Autoimmunity

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