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. 2015 Oct 15;7(10):1782–1797.

Figure 7.

Figure 7

The role of IL-22 in the crosstalk between ESC and VEC, and the progression of adenomyosis. Accompanied by implantation of endometrium into myometrium, IL-22 was produced by ESC. IL-22 not only strengthens the dialogue between ESC and VEC by up-regulating IL-22 receptors expression on VEC, but also promotes the activation and angiogenesis of VEC possibly by up-regulation CD105 and CXCR1 expression on VECs, and simulating IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF secretion. In addition, the unknown molecules of ESCs may also be involved in the regulation angiogenesis by increasing VE-cadherin expression on VEC. In turns, VEC enhances proliferation and probably inhibits apoptosis of ESC by regulating Ki-67, PCNA and FasL expression. These integral effects will further promote angiogenesis and ESC growth, and accelerate the progress of adenomyosis by this vicious circle. Blocking IL-22 will suppress angiogenesis and ESC growth by inhibiting dialogue between ESC and VEC. These findings indicate blocking IL-22 may be a potential treatment strategy for adenomyosis.