1. Heparin is a promising agent for the treatment of endometriosis-associated fibrosis 
Kaei Nasu, M.D., Ph.D., Akitoshi Tsuno, M.D., Ph.D., Marina Hirao, Hironao Kobayashi, Akitoshi Yuge, M.D., Ph.D., Hisashi Narahara, M.D., Ph.D. 
Fertility and Sterility 
Volume 94, Issue 1, Pages (June 2010)
DOI: /j.fertnstert
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

2. Figure 1
Effects of heparin on the contractility of ECSCs as assessed by collagen gel contraction assay. Endometriotic stromal cells were cultured in 3D collagen gels for 48 hours in the presence of heparin sodium (1–100 μg/mL). Then the collagen gels were photographed (A). The ECSC-mediated collagen gel contractility was assessed by measuring the gel surface area with the image analysis program. The areas of gel surface after 48 hours under untreated conditions were defined as 100%. The relative gel contraction ratio was calculated (B). Data are presented as means ± SD of representative experiments. ∗P<.0001 versus untreated controls (Bonferroni/Dunn test).
Fertility and Sterility  , 46-51DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

3. Figure 2
Morphological features of ECSCs observed by laser scanning microscopy. Untreated ECSCs cultured in 3D collagen gels adhered to the collagen fibers and contracted the initially loose network to a dense tissue-like structure. Their morphology was dendritic to stellate. In contrast, the contractile force of the ECSCs treated with 100 μg/mL of heparin sodium was weak. Their morphology remained round to polygonal, and they did not adhere to the collagen fibers in comparison to the untreated ECSCs.
Fertility and Sterility  , 46-51DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

4. Figure 3
Expression of α-SMA, RhoA, ROCK-I, ROCK-II, and GAPDH proteins in ECSCs cultured three dimensionally in collagen gel for 48 hours. The expression of these contraction-related proteins was investigated by Western blotting analysis.
Fertility and Sterility  , 46-51DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions