Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the endometrium grows outside the uterus. Angiogenesis plays an important role in endometriosis development. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that miR-410-3p is involved in regulating VEGF, NUMB endocytic adaptor protein, and Protocadherin 8 (PCDH8) expression. Therefore, this study sought to assess miR-410-3p, VEGFA, NUMB, and PCDH8 expression in ovarian endometriosis. METHODS: The study analyzed 48 ectopic and eutopic tissue samples from individuals with ovarian endometriosis along with 48 controls. The levels of miR-410-3p and its corresponding hub genes were analyzed through real-time PCR. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated a decrease in miR-410-3p expression in the ectopic (0.53 ± 0.09-fold) compared to both the eutopic and the controls, which was 0.95 ± 0.09-fold and 1.007 ± 0.12-fold, respectively (p < 0.0001). However, no significant difference was observed between the eutopic samples and the control group (p > 0.99). The findings also indicated that VEGF expression was elevated in the ectopic (1.38 ± 0.26-fold) when in comparison to both eutopic and controls, which was 0.98 ± 0.08-fold and 1.002 ± 0.12-fold, respectively (p < 0.001). However, there was no notable difference detected between the eutopic group and the controls (p > 0.99). The results for NUMB expression levels showed higher expression in ectopic (1.50 ± 0.33-fold) in comparison to the eutopic (0.98 ± 0.10-fold) and controls (1.004 ± 0.14-fold) (p < 0.001). But, no notable difference was observed between the eutopic and control group (p > 0.99). Moreover, PCDH8 expression was decreased in ectopic endometriosis (1.002 ± 0.14-fold) compared to both eutopic (1.001 ± 0.10-fold and controls (1.002 ± 0.14-fold) (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference between the eutopic samples and the control group (p > 0.99). CONCLUSION: It is proposed that miR-410-3p, along with its target genes VEGFA, NUMB, and PCDH8, may play a role in the ovarian endometriosis development and hold possible therapeutic significance for this disease.