ORIGINAL ARTICLE: TNFα Gene Silencing Reduced Lipopolysaccharide‐Promoted Proliferation of Endometriotic Stromal Cells

Problem  We previously reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-promoted endometriotic stromal cell (ESC) proliferation by inducing TNFα production. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TNFα gene silencing on LPS-treated ESCs. Method of study  Endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs) and endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) (EMSCs) were obtained from ovarian chocolate cysts and uterine myoma, respectively. Using PCR array, LPS-induced gene expression profiling after transfection of TNFα siRNA into ESCs was performed. Down-regulated genes by TNFα silencing were examined using real-time RT-PCR. Effect of TNFα silencing was examined using ELISA and BrdU incorporation, respectively. Results  In PCR array, TNFα silencing in ESCs repressed LPS-induced expression of cIAP2 and IL-8, NFκB pathway responsive genes. After adding LPS, the levels of cIAP2 and IL-8 expression in ESCs were higher compared with those in EMSCs. TNFα silencing attenuated the LPS-induced ESC proliferation. Conclusion  Tumor necrosis factor α may be involved in cell proliferation of endometriotic tissues.