Expression, regulation and function of MicroRNAs in endometriosis.

Endometriosis (EMS), characterized by the presence and growth of functional en do met rial-like tissues outside the uterine cavity, is a common and benign gyneco logical disorder with a poorly understood and somewhat enigmatic etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded 19-25 nucleotide-long RNAs and have an important role in post-transcriptional gene silencing by base pairing with target mRNAs. Recent research has shown that miRNAs and their target mRNAs are differentially expressed in endometriosis and other disorders of the female reproductive system. In this paper, we review the recent progress in understanding the roles of miRNAs in endometriosis, and specific miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for endometriosis.