Comments on: Gene Polymorphisms in FAS (Rs3740286 and Rs4064) are Involved in Endometriosis Development in Brazilian Women, but not those in CASP8 (rs13416436 and rs2037815) - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Comments on: Gene Polymorphisms in FAS (Rs3740286 and Rs4064) are Involved in Endometriosis Development in Brazilian Women, but not those in CASP8 (rs13416436 and rs2037815) |

We read with great interest the article by Pissetti et al entitled ‘Gene Polymorphisms in FAS (Rs3740286 and Rs4064) Are Involved in Endometriosis Development in Brazilian Women, but not those in CASP8 (rs13416436 and rs2037815),’ published in your journal. The authors investigated the association between two polymorphisms involved in apoptosis and the risk of developing endometriosis in a case-control study enrolling 45 women. Interestingly, they found a positive association between polymorphisms of the Fas cell surface death receptor gene FAS and the confirmed surgical diagnosis of endometriosis.

The authors investigated polymorphisms of the FAS gene, similarly to other previous authors. Overall, one of the alterations appearing in the eutopic and ectopic endometria of women with endometriosis refers to the regulation of apoptosis. In fact, anomalous susceptibility of endometrial tissue to apoptosis may deeply contribute to the development of implants; in particular, it has been reported that expressions of FAS and its ligand may be decreased in eutopic and ectopic endometria of women with endometriosis. In contrast, higher levels of proapoptotic proteins, such as FAS ligand, in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis may contribute to an increased apoptosis of immune cells, leading to decreased scavenger activity in the peritoneal cavity and, thus, less immune clearance.

[...]