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Ramaiyer MS, Saad E, Kurt I, Borahay MA. Genetic Mechanisms Driving Uterine Leiomyoma Pathobiology, Epidemiology, and Treatment. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:558. [PMID: 38790186 PMCID: PMC11121260 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are the most common benign tumor of the uterus. They can be associated with symptoms including abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, urinary frequency, and pregnancy complications. Despite the high prevalence of UL, its underlying pathophysiology mechanisms have historically been poorly understood. Several mechanisms of pathogenesis have been suggested, implicating various genes, growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and microRNA aberrations. The purpose of this study is to summarize the current research on the relationship of genetics with UL. Specifically, we performed a literature review of published studies to identify how genetic aberrations drive pathophysiology, epidemiology, and therapeutic approaches of UL. With regards to pathophysiology, research has identified MED12 mutations, HMGA2 overexpression, fumarate hydratase deficiency, and cytogenetic abnormalities as contributors to the development of UL. Additionally, epigenetic modifications, such as histone acetylation and DNA methylation, have been identified as contributing to UL tumorigenesis. Specifically, UL stem cells have been found to contain a unique DNA methylation pattern compared to more differentiated UL cells, suggesting that DNA methylation has a role in tumorigenesis. On a population level, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and epidemiologic analyses have identified 23 genetic loci associated with younger age at menarche and UL growth. Additionally, various GWASs have investigated genetic loci as potential drivers of racial disparities in UL incidence. For example, decreased expression of Cytohesin 4 in African Americans has been associated with increased UL risk. Recent studies have investigated various therapeutic options, including ten-eleven translocation proteins mediating DNA methylation, adenovirus vectors for drug delivery, and "suicide gene therapy" to induce apoptosis. Overall, improved understanding of the genetic and epigenetic drivers of UL on an individual and population level can propel the discovery of novel therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eslam Saad
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (E.S.); (I.K.)
| | - Irem Kurt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (E.S.); (I.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, 42000 Konya, Turkey
| | - Mostafa A. Borahay
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (E.S.); (I.K.)
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2
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Yang Q, Vafaei S, Falahati A, Khosh A, Bariani MV, Omran MM, Bai T, Siblini H, Ali M, He C, Boyer TG, Al-Hendy A. Bromodomain-Containing Protein 9 Regulates Signaling Pathways and Reprograms the Epigenome in Immortalized Human Uterine Fibroid Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:905. [PMID: 38255982 PMCID: PMC10815284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing proteins (BRDs) are involved in many biological processes, most notably epigenetic regulation of transcription, and BRD dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including tumorigenesis. However, the role of BRDs in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids (UFs) is entirely unknown. The present study aimed to determine the expression pattern of BRD9 in UFs and matched myometrium and further assess the impact of a BRD9 inhibitor on UF phenotype and epigenetic/epitranscriptomic changes. Our studies demonstrated that the levels of BRD9 were significantly upregulated in UFs compared to matched myometrium, suggesting that the aberrant BRD expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of UFs. We then evaluated the potential roles of BRD9 using its specific inhibitor, I-BRD9. Targeted inhibition of BRD9 suppressed UF tumorigenesis with increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, decreased cell proliferation, and extracellular matrix deposition in UF cells. The latter is the key hallmark of UFs. Unbiased transcriptomic profiling coupled with downstream bioinformatics analysis further and extensively demonstrated that targeted inhibition of BRD9 impacted the cell cycle- and ECM-related biological pathways and reprogrammed the UF cell epigenome and epitranscriptome in UFs. Taken together, our studies support the critical role of BRD9 in UF cells and the strong interconnection between BRD9 and other pathways controlling the UF progression. Targeted inhibition of BRDs might provide a non-hormonal treatment option for this most common benign tumor in women of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Somayeh Vafaei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Ali Falahati
- DNA GTx LAB, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai 505262, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Azad Khosh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.K.); (T.G.B.)
| | - Maria Victoria Bariani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Mervat M. Omran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
- Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo 11796, Egypt
| | - Tao Bai
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Hiba Siblini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
| | - Thomas G. Boyer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.K.); (T.G.B.)
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
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Liu W, Xia K, Zheng D, Huang X, Wei Z, Wei Z, Guo W. Construction of a prognostic risk score model based on the ARHGAP family to predict the survival of osteosarcoma. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1179. [PMID: 38041020 PMCID: PMC10693137 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11673-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignancy of bone tumors. More and more ARHGAP family genes have been confirmed are to the occurrence, development, and invasion of tumors. However, its significance in osteosarcoma remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the relationship between ARHGAP family genes and prognosis in patients with OS. METHODS OS samples were retrieved from the TCGA and GEO databases. We then performed LASSO regression analysis and multivariate COX regression analysis to select ARHGAP family genes to construct a risk prognosis model. We then validated this prognostic model. We utilized ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms to calculate the stroma and immune scores of samples, as well as the proportions of tumor infiltrating immune cells (TICs). Finally, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments to investigate the effect of ARHGAP28 on osteosarcoma. RESULTS We selected five genes to construct a risk prognosis model. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups and the survival time of the high-risk group was lower than that of the low-risk group. The high-risk group in the prognosis model constructed had relatively poor immune function. GSEA and ssGSEA showed that the low-risk group had abundant immune pathway infiltration. The overexpression of ARHGAP28 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and tumor growth in mice, and IHC showed that overexpression of ARHGAP28 could inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. CONCLUSION We constructed a risk prognostic model based on five ARHGAP family genes, which can predict the overall survival of patients with osteosarcoma, to better assist us in clinical decision-making and individualized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenda Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, China, Hubei Province
| | - Kezhou Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, China, Hubei Province
| | - Di Zheng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, China, Hubei Province
| | - Xinghan Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, China, Hubei Province
| | - Zhun Wei
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, China, Hubei Province
| | - Zicheng Wei
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, China, Hubei Province
| | - Weichun Guo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, China, Hubei Province.
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Yang Q, Ali M, Treviño LS, Mas A, Al-Hendy A. Developmental reprogramming of myometrial stem cells by endocrine disruptor linking to risk of uterine fibroids. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:274. [PMID: 37650943 PMCID: PMC10471700 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04919-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The stage, when tissues and organs are growing, is very vulnerable to environmental influences, but it's not clear how exposure during this time causes changes to the epigenome and increases the risk of hormone-related illnesses like uterine fibroids (UFs). METHODS Developmental reprogramming of myometrial stem cells (MMSCs), the putative origin from which UFs originate, was investigated in vitro and in the Eker rat model by RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, RRBS, gain/loss of function analysis, and luciferase activity assays. RESULTS When exposed to the endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) diethylstilbestrol during Eker rat development, MMSCs undergo a reprogramming of their estrogen-responsive transcriptome. The reprogrammed genes in MMSCs are known as estrogen-responsive genes (ERGs) and are activated by mixed lineage leukemia protein-1 (MLL1) and DNA hypo-methylation mechanisms. Additionally, we observed a notable elevation in the expression of ERGs in MMSCs from Eker rats exposed to natural steroids after developmental exposure to EDC, thereby augmenting estrogen activity. CONCLUSION Our studies identify epigenetic mechanisms of MLL1/DNA hypo-methylation-mediated MMSC reprogramming. EDC exposure epigenetically targets MMSCs and leads to persistent changes in the expression of a subset of ERGs, imparting a hormonal imprint on the ERGs, resulting in a "hyper-estrogenic" phenotype, and increasing the hormone-dependent risk of UFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Lindsey S. Treviño
- Division of Health Equities, Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010 USA
- Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Aymara Mas
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Avda. Menéndez Pelayo 4, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637 USA
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Yazlovitskaya EM, Graham TR. Type IV P-Type ATPases: Recent Updates in Cancer Development, Progression, and Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4327. [PMID: 37686603 PMCID: PMC10486736 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptations of cancer cells for survival are remarkable. One of the most significant properties of cancer cells to prevent the immune system response and resist chemotherapy is the altered lipid metabolism and resulting irregular cell membrane composition. The phospholipid distribution in the plasma membrane of normal animal cells is distinctly asymmetric. Lipid flippases are a family of enzymes regulating membrane asymmetry, and the main class of flippases are type IV P-type ATPases (P4-ATPases). Alteration in the function of flippases results in changes to membrane organization. For some lipids, such as phosphatidylserine, the changes are so drastic that they are considered cancer biomarkers. This review will analyze and discuss recent publications highlighting the role that P4-ATPases play in the development and progression of various cancer types, as well as prospects of targeting P4-ATPases for anti-cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Todd R. Graham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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A View on Uterine Leiomyoma Genesis through the Prism of Genetic, Epigenetic and Cellular Heterogeneity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065752. [PMID: 36982825 PMCID: PMC10056617 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas (ULs), frequent benign tumours of the female reproductive tract, are associated with a range of symptoms and significant morbidity. Despite extensive research, there is no consensus on essential points of UL initiation and development. The main reason for this is a pronounced inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity resulting from diverse and complicated mechanisms underlying UL pathobiology. In this review, we comprehensively analyse risk and protective factors for UL development, UL cellular composition, hormonal and paracrine signalling, epigenetic regulation and genetic abnormalities. We conclude the need to carefully update the concept of UL genesis in light of the current data. Staying within the framework of the existing hypotheses, we introduce a possible timeline for UL development and the associated key events—from potential prerequisites to the beginning of UL formation and the onset of driver and passenger changes.
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Juárez-Barber E, Segura-Benítez M, Carbajo-García MC, Bas-Rivas A, Faus A, Vidal C, Giles J, Labarta E, Pellicer A, Cervelló I, Ferrero H. Extracellular vesicles secreted by adenomyosis endometrial organoids contain miRNAs involved in embryo implantation and pregnancy. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:470-481. [PMID: 36697316 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Do extracellular vesicles secreted by the endometrium of women with adenomyosis contain miRNAs involved in adenomyosis-related infertility? DESIGN A descriptive study using organoids from eutopic endometrium of women with adenomyosis (n = 4) generated and differentiated to secretory and gestational phases, in which miRNA cargo from extracellular vesicles secreted by these differentiated organoids in each phase was analysed by next-generation sequencing. miRNAs in secretory-extracellular vesicles and gestational-extracellular vesicles were selected based on the counts per million. miRNAs target genes in each phase were obtained from miRNet and gene ontology was used for enrichment analysis. RESULTS miRNA sequencing identified 80 miRNAs in secretory-phase extracellular vesicles, including hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-24-3p, hsa-miR-26a-5p, hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-92b-3p, hsa-miR-200c-3p and hsa-miR-423a-5p, related to adenomyosis pathogenesis and implantation failure. Further, 60 miRNAs were identified in gestational-phase extracellular vesicles, including hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-26a-5p, hsa-miR-30a-5p, hsa-miR-30c-5p, hsa-miR-222-3p and hsa-miR-423a-5p were associated with preeclampsia and miscarriage. Among the target genes of these miRNAs, PTEN, MDM4, PLAGL2 and CELF1, whose downregulation (P = 0.0003, P < 0.0001, P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0003, respectively) contributes to adenomyosis pathogenesis, and impaired early embryo development, leading to implantation failure and miscarriage, are highlihghted. Further, functional enrichment analyses of the target genes revealed their involvement in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and response to extracellular stimuli. CONCLUSIONS Eutopic endometrium in secretory and gestational phase from women with adenomyosis releases extracellular vesicles containing miRNAs involved in adenomyosis progression, impaired embryo implantation and pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Juárez-Barber
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Marina Segura-Benítez
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; Departamento de Pediatría, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Cristina Carbajo-García
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; Departamento de Pediatría, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Alba Bas-Rivas
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Faus
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmen Vidal
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; IVI-RMA Valencia, 46015 Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Giles
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; IVI-RMA Valencia, 46015 Valencia, Spain
| | - Elena Labarta
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; IVI-RMA Valencia, 46015 Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; IVI-RMA Rome, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Cervelló
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Hortensia Ferrero
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain.
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Gene Expression Profile of Uterine Leiomyoma from Women Exposed to Different Air Pollution Levels in Metropolitan Cities of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032431. [PMID: 36768749 PMCID: PMC9917088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leiomyomas (LMs) are the most frequent uterine benign tumors, representing the leading cause of hysterectomy indications worldwide. They are highly associated with women's reproductive complications, and endocrine disruptors may influence their etiology. In this sense, air pollution represents a relevant hormonal disruptor that acts on key signaling pathways, resulting in tumor development and infertility. Our goal was to evaluate submucosal LM samples from patients living in the metropolitan and Sao Paulo city regions, focusing on genes involved in tumor development and infertility features. Twenty-four patients were selected based on their region of residence and clinical information availability. Several genes were differentially expressed between women living in metropolitan areas and Sao Paulo city. Significant associations were observed between BCL-2, DVL1, FGFR3, and WNT5b downregulation and contraceptive use in the samples from women living in Sao Paulo city. ESR1 and HHAT downregulation was associated with ethnicity. WNT5b and GREM were associated with LM treatment and related pathologies, respectively. In the samples from women living in other cities of the metropolitan region, abortion occurrence was associated with BMP4 upregulation. Although further studies may be necessary, our results showed that air pollution exposure influences the expression of genes related to LM development and female reproductive features.
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Carbajo-García MC, Juarez-Barber E, Segura-Benítez M, Faus A, Trelis A, Monleón J, Carmona-Antoñanzas G, Pellicer A, Flanagan JM, Ferrero H. H3K4me3 mediates uterine leiomyoma pathogenesis via neuronal processes, synapsis components, proliferation, and Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β pathways. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:9. [PMID: 36703136 PMCID: PMC9878797 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01060-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uterine leiomyomas (UL) are the most common benign tumor in women of reproductive age. Their pathology remains unclear, which hampers the development of safe and effective treatments. Raising evidence suggests epigenetics as a main mechanism involved in tumor development. Histone modification is a key component in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Specifically, the histone mark H3K4me3, which promotes gene expression, is altered in many tumors. In this study, we aimed to identify if the histone modification H3K4me3 regulates the expression of genes involved in uterine leiomyoma pathogenesis. METHODS Prospective study integrating RNA-seq (n = 48) and H3K4me3 CHIP-seq (n = 19) data of uterine leiomyomas versus their adjacent myometrium. Differentially expressed genes (FDR < 0.01, log2FC > 1 or < - 1) were selected following DESeq2, edgeR, and limma analysis. Their differential methylation and functional enrichment (FDR < 0.05) were respectively analyzed with limma and ShinyGO. RESULTS CHIP-seq data showed a global suppression of H3K4me3 in uterine leiomyomas versus their adjacent myometrial tissue (p-value< 2.2e-16). Integrating CHIP-seq and RNA-seq data highlighted that transcription of 696/922 uterine leiomyoma-related differentially expressed genes (DEG) (FDR < 0.01, log2FC > 1 or < - 1) was epigenetically mediated by H3K4me3. Further, 50 genes were differentially trimethylated (FDR < 0.05), including 33 hypertrimethylated/upregulated, and 17 hypotrimethylated/downregulated genes. Functional enrichment analysis of the latter showed dysregulation of neuron-related processes and synapsis-related cellular components in uterine leiomyomas, and a literature review study of these DEG found additional implications with tumorigenesis (i.e. aberrant proliferation, invasion, and dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin, and TGF-β pathways). Finally, SATB2, DCX, SHOX2, ST8SIA2, CAPN6, and NPTX2 proto-oncogenes were identified among the hypertrimethylated/upregulated DEG, while KRT19, ABCA8, and HOXB4 tumor suppressor genes were identified among hypotrimethylated/downregulated DEG. CONCLUSIONS H3K4me3 instabilities alter the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, inducing aberrant proliferation, and dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin, and TGF-β pathways, that ultimately promote uterine leiomyoma progression. The reversal of these histone modifications may be a promising new therapeutic alternative for uterine leiomyoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cristina Carbajo-García
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
- Departamento de Pediatría, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elena Juarez-Barber
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marina Segura-Benítez
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
- Departamento de Pediatría, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Faus
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Javier Monleón
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Pellicer
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
- IVIRMA Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - James M Flanagan
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hortensia Ferrero
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain.
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Cai L, Li J, Long R, Liao Z, Gong J, Zheng B, Zhang H. An autophagy-related diagnostic biomarker for uterine fibroids: FOS. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1153537. [PMID: 37138755 PMCID: PMC10150886 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1153537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine fibroids (UFs) are the most common benign gynecologic tumors in reproductive-aged women. The typical diagnostic strategies of UFs are transvaginal ultrasonography and pathological feature, while molecular biomarkers are considered conventional options in the assessment of the origin and development of UFs in recent years. Here, we extracted the differential expression genes (DEGs) and differential DNA methylation genes (DMGs) of UFs from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, GSE64763, GSE120854, GSE45188, and GSE45187. 167 DEGs with aberrant DNA methylation were identified, and further Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were performed by the relevant R package. We next discerned 2 hub genes (FOS, and TNFSF10) with autophagy involvement by overlapping 167 DEGs and 232 autophagic regulators from Human Autophagy Database. FOS was identified as the most crucial gene through the Protein-Protein Interactions (PPI) network with the correlation of the immune scores. Moreover, the down-regulated expression of FOS in UFs tissue at both mRNA and protein levels was validated by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of FOS was 0.856, with a sensitivity of 86.2% and a specificity of 73.9%. Overall, we explored the possible biomarker of UFs undergoing DNA-methylated autophagy and provided clinicians with a comprehensive assessment of UFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Long
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiqi Liao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Juejun Gong
- Department of Oncology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bowen Zheng
- Medical Record Department, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hanwang Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Hanwang Zhang,
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Cai L, Liao Z, Li S, Wu R, Li J, Ren F, Zhang H. PLP1 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker of uterine fibroids. Front Genet 2022; 13:1045395. [PMID: 36386836 PMCID: PMC9662689 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1045395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: We aim to identify the crucial genes or potential biomarkers associated with uterine fibroids (UFs), which may provide clinicians with evidence about the diagnostic biomarker of UFs and reveal the mechanism of its progression. Methods: The gene expression and genome-wide DNA methylation profiles were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). GSE45189, GSE31699, and GSE593 datasets were included. GEO2R and Venn diagrams were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and extract the hub genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed by the online tool Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The mRNA and protein expression of hub genes were validated by RT-qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value. Results: We detected 22 DEGs between UFs and normal myometrium, which were enriched in cell maturation, apoptotic process, hypoxia, protein binding, and cytoplasm for cell composition. By finding the intersection of the data between differentially expressed mRNA and DNA methylation profiles, 3 hub genes were identified, including transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1), TNF superfamily member 10 (TNFSF10), and proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1). PLP1 was validated to be up-regulated significantly in UFs both at mRNA and protein levels. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of PLP1 was 0.956, with a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusion: Overall, our results indicate that PLP1 may be a potential diagnostic biomarker for uterine fibroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiqi Liao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiyu Li
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ruxing Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Ren
- Department of Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hanwang Zhang, ; Fang Ren,
| | - Hanwang Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Hanwang Zhang, ; Fang Ren,
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12
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Carbajo-García MC, de Miguel-Gómez L, Juárez-Barber E, Trelis A, Monleón J, Pellicer A, Flanagan JM, Ferrero H. Deciphering the Role of Histone Modifications in Uterine Leiomyoma: Acetylation of H3K27 Regulates the Expression of Genes Involved in Proliferation, Cell Signaling, Cell Transport, Angiogenesis and Extracellular Matrix Formation. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061279. [PMID: 35740301 PMCID: PMC9219820 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma (UL) is a benign tumor arising from myometrium (MM) with a high prevalence and unclear pathology. Histone modifications are altered in tumors, particularly via histone acetylation which is correlated with gene activation. To identify if the acetylation of H3K27 is involved in UL pathogenesis and if its reversion may be a therapeutic option, we performed a prospective study integrating RNA-seq (n = 48) and CHIP-seq for H3K27ac (n = 19) in UL vs MM tissue, together with qRT-PCR of SAHA-treated UL cells (n = 10). CHIP-seq showed lower levels of H3K27ac in UL versus MM (p-value < 2.2 × 10−16). From 922 DEGs found in UL vs. MM (FDR < 0.01), 482 presented H3K27ac. A differential acetylation (FDR < 0.05) was discovered in 82 of these genes (29 hyperacetylated/upregulated, 53 hypoacetylated/downregulated). Hyperacetylation/upregulation of oncogenes (NDP,HOXA13,COL24A1,IGFL3) and hypoacetylation/downregulation of tumor suppressor genes (CD40,GIMAP8,IL15,GPX3,DPT) altered the immune system, the metabolism, TGFβ3 and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Functional enrichment analysis revealed deregulation of proliferation, cell signaling, transport, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix. Inhibition of histone deacetylases by SAHA increased expression of hypoacetylated/downregulated genes in UL cells (p < 0.05). Conclusively, H3K27ac regulates genes involved in UL onset and maintenance. Histone deacetylation reversion upregulates the expression of tumor suppressor genes in UL cells, suggesting targeting histone modifications as a therapeutic approach for UL.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cristina Carbajo-García
- Fundación IVI, IIS La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.C.C.-G.); (L.d.M.-G.); (E.J.-B.); (A.P.)
- Departamento de Pediatría, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
| | - Lucia de Miguel-Gómez
- Fundación IVI, IIS La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.C.C.-G.); (L.d.M.-G.); (E.J.-B.); (A.P.)
| | - Elena Juárez-Barber
- Fundación IVI, IIS La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.C.C.-G.); (L.d.M.-G.); (E.J.-B.); (A.P.)
| | | | | | - Antonio Pellicer
- Fundación IVI, IIS La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.C.C.-G.); (L.d.M.-G.); (E.J.-B.); (A.P.)
- IVIRMA Rome, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - James M. Flanagan
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
| | - Hortensia Ferrero
- Fundación IVI, IIS La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.C.C.-G.); (L.d.M.-G.); (E.J.-B.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-963-903-305
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