Expression of Nodal, Cripto, SMAD3, Phosphorylated SMAD3, and SMAD4 in the Proliferative Endometrium of Women With Endometriosis

摘要

Background: Nodal is a growth factor of the transforming growth factor superfamily that is expressed in high turnover tissues, such as the human endometrium, and in several malignancies. The effects of Nodal are modulated by the coreceptor Cripto and mediated by SMAD proteins. This study evaluated the gene and protein expression of Nodal, Cripto, total and phosphorylated (p) SMAD3, and SMAD4 in the proliferative endometrium of women with and without endometriosis.