Abstract: Objective: To explore the expression and significance of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and D2-40 labeled microlymphatic vessel density (MLVD) in endometriosis (EMs). Methods: 20 patients with ovarian EMs who were treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from November 2017 to May 2018 were selected, and eutopic and ectopic endometrium were taken. 20 patients who underwent hysterectomy or hysteromyomectomy removal during the same period were selected, and their normal endometrium was taken. The expression levels of SDF-1, CXCR4 mRNA and protein and MLVD in different endometrial tissues were compared. The effect of SDF-1 on the migration capacity of ectopic endometriotic cells was verified by cell scratching experiments. Results: ①The expression levels of SDF-1, CXCR4 mRNA and protein and MLVD in ectopic endometrium were higher than those in eutopic and normal endometrium, and those of eutopic endometrium was higher than those of normal endometrium, the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05). ②The cell migration rate of the SDF-1 treatment group was higher than that of the DMEM-F12 treatment group, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). Conclusions: SDF-1 and CXCR4 may be involved in lymphangiogenesis of EMs and promote lymphatic migration of endometrium, which plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diseases.

Key words: Endometriosis, Receptors, CXCR4;, Lymphatic vessels, Lymphatic metastasis;, Stromal cell-derived factor 1