Serum exosomal miRNA from endometriosis patients correlates with disease severity

PURPOSE: Exosomes are vesicles secreted by cells that contain a wide variety of biomolecules, including proteins or nucleic acids. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are commonly found in exosomes, are known to play important roles in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. METHODS: This study investigated the miRNA expression profile of serum exosomes from women with endometriosis in comparison with normal controls as well as the possible role of identified miRNAs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Exosomes with a diameter between 60 and 100 nm were identified by their expression of exosomal marker proteins CD9 and CD63. RESULTS: Microarray miRNA expression profiling analysis revealed that 26 genes were significantly up-regulated and 19 genes were significantly down-regulated in serum exosomes from endometriosis patients compared with normal controls. These differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly enriched in the regulation of cellular development, metabolism, and involved in the regulation of the MAPK and PI3k-Akt pathways. qRT-PCR analysis verified the differential expression of three miRNAs, miR-26b-5p, miR-215-5p, and miR-6795-3p. CONCLUSION: Further analysis indicated that these differentially expressed miRNAs in serum exosomes may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and are related to the severity and certain symptoms of endometriosis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00404-021-06227-z.