Chronic Niche Inflammation in Endometriosis-Associated Infertility: Current Understanding and Future Therapeutic Strategies

Y. Lin, Ya-Hsin Chen, Heng-Yu Chang, Heng‐Kien Au, Heng-Kien Au, Chii-Ruey Tzeng, Chii‐Ruey Tzeng, Yen‐Hua Huang
International journal of molecular sciences · 2018 · vol. 19(8) , pp. 2385 · doi:10.3390/ijms19082385 · PMID:30104541 · W2885886888
review OA: gold CC0 ⤵ 116 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This review examines the role of chronic inflammation in endometriosis-associated infertility and discusses nonhormonal, stem cell-based therapeutic strategies targeting these inflammatory processes.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease that affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age and accounts for up to 50% of female infertility cases. It has been highly associated with poorer outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART), including decreased oocyte retrieval, lower implantation, and pregnancy rates. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated infertility is crucial for improving infertility treatment outcomes. Current theories regarding how endometriosis reduces fertility include anatomical distortion, ovulatory dysfunction, and niche inflammation-associated peritoneal or implantation defects. This review will survey the latest evidence on the role of inflammatory niche in the peritoneal cavity, ovaries, and uterus of endometriosis patients. Nonhormone treatment strategies that target these inflammation processes are also included. Furthermore, mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies are highlighted for potential endometriosis treatment because of their immunomodulatory effects and tropism toward inflamed lesion foci. Potential applications of stem cell therapy in treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility in particular for safety and efficacy are discussed.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Infertility, Female Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Immunosuppressive Agents Immunosuppressive Agents Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Ovary Ovary Ovary

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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Cited by (50)

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