Stromal cell-derived miR-423-5p targets EMP2 to promote M2 macrophage polarization and directly enhance stromal cell migration in endometriosis

Objectives

M2 macrophages enriched in endometriotic lesions are involved in immune evasion and angiogenesis, while the migratory capacity of ectopic endometrial stromal cells is also closely associated with lesion progression. However, whether these two processes are regulated by a common upstream molecule remains unclear. This study aims to investigate whether endometrial stromal cell-derived miR-423-5p promotes M2 macrophage polarization by targeting epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) and directly enhances the migratory capacity of stromal cells themselves, thereby synergistically contributing to the progression of endometriosis (EMs).