Detailed cellular atlas links endometriosis lesions to pain signaling
Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory mapped the microenvironment of human endometriosis lesions, showing how sensory neurons and immune cells interact to intensify pain. The study used tissue from the EndoRISE biorepository and was published in Nature Communications. The work suggests endometriosis pain has a biological basis involving neuronal signaling rather than being purely psychological.
The study drew on human samples from EndoRISE, a Connecticut biorepository described as the only state-funded U.S. program combining endometriosis specimen collection and sharing with education and advocacy. Researchers examined lesions from ovaries and the peritoneum, two common sites, using spatial transcriptomics to locate active genes and cells within intact tissue.
The resulting maps showed layered organization around epithelial glands. Nearby “close stroma” contained MME+ fibroblasts, activated macrophages, and pain-sensing neurons, while farther “far stroma” had OGN+ fibroblasts plus B cells and mast cells. Multiple sensory neuron types clustered near the lesion core.
People with endometriosis, especially those whose pain has been dismissed, may find validation in evidence that lesions involve neuronal and immune signaling. Clinicians could use cellular maps to guide future research into pain mechanisms and treatments. Broader society may benefit if such findings reduce stigma and support more biological understanding, though clinical applications are not yet established.