Articles
Vol. 68 No. 4 (2024)
The matrix stiffness is increased in the eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis patients: a study based on atomic force microscopy and histochemistry
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Received: 15 August 2024
Accepted: 18 November 2024
Accepted: 18 November 2024
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Previous ultrasound studies suggest that patients with adenomyosis (AM) exhibit increased uterine cavity stiffness, although direct evidence regarding extracellular matrix (ECM) content and its specific impact on endometrial stiffness remains limited. This study utilized atomic force microscopy to directly measure endometrial stiffness and collagen morphology, enabling a detailed analysis of the endometrium’s mechanical properties: through this approach, we established direct evidence of increased endometrial stiffness and fibrosis in patients with AM. Endometrial specimens were also stained with Picrosirius red or Masson’s trichrome to quantify fibrosis, and additional analyses assessed α-SMA and Ki-67 expression. Studies indicate that pathological conditions significantly influence the mechanical properties of endometrial tissue. Specifically, adenomyotic endometrial tissue demonstrates increased stiffness, associated with elevated ECM and fibrosis content, whereas normal endometrial samples are softer with lower ECM content. AM appears to alter both the mechanical and histological characteristics of the eutopic endometrium. Higher ECM content may significantly impact endometrial mechanical properties, potentially contributing to AM-associated decidualization defects and fertility challenges.
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Ethics Approval
the experimental protocols were approved by the Medical Ethics Review Board of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, ChinaSupporting Agencies
National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaHow to Cite
1.
Wang X, Cai W, Liang T, Li H, Gu Y, Wei X, et al. The matrix stiffness is increased in the eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis patients: a study based on atomic force microscopy and histochemistry. Eur J Histochem [Internet]. 2024 Dec. 4 [cited 2025 Dec. 13];68(4). Available from: https://www.ejh.it/ejh/article/view/4131
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