An active angiogenesis is required for ectopic endometrial tissue growth. Our previous studies led to the identification of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is markedly elevated in active, vascularized, and early-stage endometriotic lesions, as a potent mitogenic factor for endothelial cells.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor elicits an angiogenic phenotype in human ectopic endometrial cells and triggers the production of major angiogenic factors via CD44, CD74, and MAPK signaling pathways.
Centre de recherche, Hôpital Saint-François d'Assise, and Faculty de Médecine, Université Laval, 10, rue de l'Espinay, Local D0-711, Québec (Québec), Canada G1L 3L5.
