Significance of RCAS1 as targeted molecular therapy in fibrosis and the canceration of the endometriosis

子宫内膜异位症会影响女性的一生，包括盆腔疼痛、不孕、异常妊娠和卵巢癌。本研究的目的是为阐明子宫内膜异位症相关疼痛和癌变的分子机制提供线索。我们研究了在SiSo细胞上表达的RCAS1受体结合癌抗原（RCAS1 receptor-binding cancer antigen）作为未来治疗子宫内膜异位症的有益靶分子。在rAFS （Revised American Fertility Society）分类阶段IV的病例中，发现腹水中存在高水平的RCAS1浓度。在胶原凝胶收缩实验中，RCAS1明显导致凝胶表面面积明显减少。尽管其推测的机制尚不明确，但本研究提示RCAS1可能参与子宫内膜异位症相关纤维化。进一步探索RCAS1的生物学功能将有助于开发不依赖雌激素的子宫内膜异位症的新治疗策略。

Endometriosis can affect a woman's whole life, in terms of pelvic pain, infertility, abnormal pregnancy and ovarian cancer. The aim of this study is to provide a clue to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underling the endometriosis related pain and canceration. We have investigated RCAS1 receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells) as a beneficial target molecule for the treatment of endometriosis in the future. High level of RCAS1 concentration in ascites was revealed in the case of rAFS (Revised American Fertility Society) classification stage IV. In the collagen gel contraction assay, RCAS1 clearly caused significantly decrease the areas of gel surface. Although its putative mechanisms remain undefined, this research suggested a possibility that RCAS1 is involved in endometriosis-associated fibrosis. Further exploration of RCAS1 biological function will facilitate development of novel therapeutic strategies for endometriosis that does not depend on estrogen.