Fig. 6

Distinct subclusters of decidualized stromal cells and pro-inflammatory stromal cells distinguish ME from controls and endometriosis cases. Upper panel: A summary of genes enriched in the stromal cell subclusters which are significantly enriched in cases (subclusters 1 [IL11+] and 5 [MGP+]) or controls (subcluster 3 [IGFBP1+]). Note: Subclusters 2 and 4 were not significantly different in cases vs. controls; see Additional file 6 for the listing of genes differentially expressed in these clusters. Lower panel: Characteristic features of stromal cell subcluster gene markers. The decidualized stromal cell subcluster (IGFBP1+, subcluster 3) is prominently enriched in genes that are associated with decidualization and uterine receptivity and are progesterone responsive. In contrast, the non-decidualized stromal cell subsets that are enriched in cases (MGP+ [subcluster 5] and IL11+ [subcluster 1]) are variably enriched in estrogen responsive genes, and remarkably enriched in genes associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and cellular senescence. Note: MGP+ (subcluster 5) is also enriched in cell adhesion and cell spreading gene markers