Role of Klf11 in endometriosis-associated fibrosis. S. DaftaryGaurang ZhengYe M. TabbaaZaid K. SchoolmeesterJohn P. GadaRavi GrzendaAdrienne L. J. MathisonAngela L. KeeneyGary A. LomberkGwen UrrutiaRaul 2013 <p>Endometriotic lesions in <i>Klf11-/-</i> mice were associated with prolific <i>de novo</i> scar tissue formation in contrast to wildtype controls. (<b>A</b>) Adhesions in <i>Klf11-/-</i> animals were thick, opaque, dense and unyielding to mechanical disruption by pressure. The adhesions had a broad base (black arrows) and involved adjacent viscera such as the small and large intestine, stomach and liver, thereby resulting in obliteration of physiological tissue planes. (<b>B</b>) Progressive fibrosis further involved the intestinal mesentery in these animals, resulting in straightening of the bowel with apparent shortening of length (white arrows). (<b>C</b>) In contrast, in wildtype animals, the lesions remained discrete (white arrows and box in C and D) with minimal adhesions (black arrow). Any adhesions that formed were slender, transparent, non-obliterating and very easily disrupted by pressure. (<b>D</b>) Lack of progressive and prolific fibrosis in wildtype animals preserved normal intra-abdominal anatomy with no peritoneal obliteration or mesenteric fibrosis.</p>