Modulation of immune and inflammatory responses involving selected galectins and selected immune-inflammatory mediators in women with deep endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis – preliminary study
- 1Department of Immunology and Serology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
- 2Medical Diagnostic Laboratory City Hospital in Zabrze
- 3Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
Abstract
Introduction: Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of functionally active endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, primarily within the peritoneal cavity. Its etiology and pathogenesis remain incompletely understood; however, endometriosis is considered a chronic inflammatory disease associated with immune system dysfunction. Galectins and other mediators of immune and inflammatory responses may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the potential involvement of selected immune and inflammatory mediators in endometriosis by assessing the concentrations of galectin-1 (Gal-1), galectin-3 (Gal-3), galectin-8 (Gal-8), galectin-9 (Gal-9), asprosin, FSTL1, meteorin, neuregulin-4, isthmin 1, SFRP2, and TNF-α in the serum and peritoneal fluid of women with deep infiltrating endometriosis, deep infiltrating endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis, and adenomyosis.
Methods: The study included 33 women in whom endometriosis was diagnosed during laparoscopy and subsequently confirmed by histopathological examination. The reference group consisted of 14 women without endometriosis. Blood serum and peritoneal fluid samples were collected, and the concentrations of the investigated parameters were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).
Results: In patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis, alterations in the detectability of Gal-1, Gal-3, and Gal-9 were observed, suggesting a potential involvement of these galectins in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Differences in the concentrations of asprosin, FSTL1, and TNF-α were also observed in this group, suggesting a possible association of these parameters with the inflammatory environment accompanying the disease.
Conclusions: The observed alterations in Gal-1, Gal-3, and Gal-9 levels in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis may indicate their involvement in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Differences in the concentrations of asprosin, FSTL1, and TNF-α suggest their potential association with the inflammatory environment of the disease. Further studies in larger cohorts are needed to determine the biological and clinical significance of these parameters and their potential interactions.
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BibTeX
@article{wendlocha2026modulation,
title = {{Modulation of immune and inflammatory responses involving selected galectins and selected immune-inflammatory mediators in women with deep endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis – preliminary study}},
author = {Dominika Wendlocha and Marta Smycz-Kubańska and Magdalena Kościelniak-Ziemniak and Mariusz Wójtowicz and Aleksandra Mielczarek-Palacz},
journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fendo.2026.1920315},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2026.1920315/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Modulation of immune and inflammatory responses involving selected galectins and selected immune-inflammatory mediators in women with deep endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis – preliminary study
AU - Dominika Wendlocha
AU - Marta Smycz-Kubańska
AU - Magdalena Kościelniak-Ziemniak
AU - Mariusz Wójtowicz
AU - Aleksandra Mielczarek-Palacz
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Frontiers in Endocrinology
DO - 10.3389/fendo.2026.1920315
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2026.1920315/full
AB - Introduction: Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of functionally active endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, primarily within the peritoneal cavity. Its etiology and pathogenesis remain incompletely understood; however, endometriosis is considered a chronic inflammatory disease associated with immune system dysfunction. Galectins and other mediators of immune and inflammatory responses may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the potential involvement of selected immune and inflammatory mediators in endometriosis by assessing the concentrations of galectin-1 (Gal-1), galectin-3 (Gal-3), galectin-8 (Gal-8), galectin-9 (Gal-9), asprosin, FSTL1, meteorin, neuregulin-4, isthmin 1, SFRP2, and TNF-α in the serum and peritoneal fluid of women with deep infiltrating endometriosis, deep infiltrating endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis, and adenomyosis. Methods: The study included 33 women in whom endometriosis was diagnosed during laparoscopy and subsequently confirmed by histopathological examination. The reference group consisted of 14 women without endometriosis. Blood serum and peritoneal fluid samples were collected, and the concentrations of the investigated parameters were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Results: In patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis, alterations in the detectability of Gal-1, Gal-3, and Gal-9 were observed, suggesting a potential involvement of these galectins in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Differences in the concentrations of asprosin, FSTL1, and TNF-α were also observed in this group, suggesting a possible association of these parameters with the inflammatory environment accompanying the disease. Conclusions: The observed alterations in Gal-1, Gal-3, and Gal-9 levels in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis coexisting with adenomyosis may indicate their involvement in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Differences in the concentrations of asprosin, FSTL1, and TNF-α suggest their potential association with the inflammatory environment of the disease. Further studies in larger cohorts are needed to determine the biological and clinical significance of these parameters and their potential interactions.
SN - 1664-2392
ER -