A profile of autoantibodies to steroid hormones and steroidogenic enzymes in women with endometriosis
Menzhinskaya I.V., Pavlovich S.V., Melkumyan A.G., Chuprynin V.D.
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects women of reproductive age and is characterized by the presence of a wide range of autoantibodies, including those directed against steroid hormones. Of particular scientific interest is the detection of autoantibodies to steroidogenic enzymes, which have been identified as a risk factor for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
Objective: To study the profile of autoantibodies to steroid and gonadotropic hormones, and steroidogenic enzymes, in women with endometriosis.
Materials and methods: Using enzyme immunoassay, serum antibodies to estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and steroidogenic enzymes (21-hydroxylase, aromatase, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme) were determined in patients with ovarian and deep infiltrating endometriosis (n=45) and in women without endometriosis (n=20).
Results: In patients with endometriosis, in addition to the predominant antibodies to estradiol and progesterone (60% and 55.6%, respectively), antibodies (M and G) to steroidogenic enzymes were detected. The detection rate and odds of detecting these antibodies were higher (33.3%, OR=9.5) than those in the control group (5%). Combinations of several antibodies against enzymes were observed in patients with severe endometriosis.
Conclusion: In addition to the high prevalence of autoantibodies to steroid hormones, patients with endometriosis are highly likely to have antibodies to steroidogenic enzymes. The latter may contribute to the development of autoimmune POI and infertility. The study will continue with a larger sample size and broader range of laboratory and instrumental parameters.
Authors’ contributions: Menzhinskaya I.V., Pavlovich S.V. – conception and design of the study; Menzhinskaya I.V., Melkumyan A.G., Chuprynin V.D. – material collection and processing; Menzhinskaya I.V., Melkumyan A.G. – statistical analysis, drafting of the manuscript; Pavlovich S.V., Chuprynin V.D. – editing of the manuscript.
Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: The study was conducted in accordance with state assignment No. 122020900125-8, entitled "Development of a differentiated approach to the management of patients of reproductive age with different forms of endometriosis".
Ethical Approval: The study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia.
Patient Consent for Publication: All patients provided informed consent for the publication of their data.
Authors' data sharing statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.
For citation: Menzhinskaya I.V., Pavlovich S.V., Melkumyan A.G., Chuprynin V.D. A profile of autoantibodies to steroid hormones and steroidogenic enzymes in women with endometriosis.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (11): 146-154 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.253
Keywords
endometriosis
autoantibody profile
autoantibodies to steroidogenic enzymes
premature ovarian insufficiency
infertility
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Received 15.10.2024
Accepted 12.11.2024
About the Authors
Irina V. Menzhinskaya, Dr. Med. Sci., Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, Russia, 117997, +7(495)438-11-83, i_menzinskaya@oparina4.ruStanislav V. Pavlovich, PhD, Scientific Secretary, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, Russia, 117997; Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology, Institute of Vocational Education,
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, +7(495)438-52-25, s_pavlovich@oparina4.ru
Arika G. Melkumyan, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, Russia, 117997, +7(495)438-52-25, dr.melkumyan@gmail.com
Vladimir D. Chuprynin, PhD, Head of the Department of Surgery, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, Russia, 117997, +7(495)438-35-75, v_chuprynin@oparina4.ru
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