MicroRNA-92a-3p Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Regulating the Transcription Factor 21/Steroidogenic Factor 1 Axis in Endometriosis

Luoshi Neiyi Prescription inhibits estradiol synthesis and inflammation in endometriosis through the HIF1A/EZH2/SF-1 pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Endometriosis (EMS) is a common gynecological disease that causes dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Luoshi Neiyi Prescription (LSNYP), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used to relieve EMS in the clinic.

AIMS

This study aimed to examine the active components of LSNYP and the possible mechanism involved in its treatment of EMS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) was used to identify the chemical components of LSNYP. Human primary ectopic endometrial stromal cells (ecESCs) and eutopic endometrial stromal cells (euESCs) were isolated, and the expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor 1A (HIF1A), enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) were detected by immunofluorescence and qPCR. Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) was utilized to construct an in vitro hypoxic environment, and lentiviruses were engineered to downregulate HIF1A and EZH2 and upregulate EZH2. Subsequently, the expression levels of HIF1A, EZH2, and SF-1 were measured using qPCR or western blotting. The binding of EZH2 to the SF-1 locus in ESCs was examined via ChIP. Furthermore, the effects of LSNYP on the HIF1A/EZH2/SF-1 pathway were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

A total of 185 components were identified in LSNYP. The protein and gene expression levels of HIF1A and SF-1 were increased, whereas those of EZH2 were decreased in ecESCs. After treating euESCs with 50 μmol L-1 CoCl2 for 24 h, cell viability and estradiol (E2) production were enhanced. Hypoxia decreased EZH2 protein expression, while si-HIF1A increased it. SF-1 was increased when EZH2 was downregulated in normal and hypoxic environments, whereas the overexpression of EZH2 led to a decrease in SF-1 expression. ChIP revealed that hypoxia reduced EZH2 binding to the SF-1 locus in euESCs. In vitro, LSNYP-containing serum decreased E2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, and reduced the expression of HIF1A, SF-1, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom). In vivo, LSNYP suppressed inflammation and adhesion and inhibited the HIF1A/EZH2/SF-1 pathway in endometriotic tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

LSNYP may exert pharmacological effects on EMS by inhibiting E2 synthesis and inflammation through regulation of the HIF1A/EZH2/SF-1 pathway. These results suggest that LSNYP may be a promising candidate for the treatment of EMS.

Identification of miR-30c-5p microRNA in Serum as a Candidate Biomarker to Diagnose Endometriosis

The diagnosis of endometriosis by laparoscopy is delayed until advanced stages. In recent years, microRNAs have emerged as novel biomarkers for different diseases. These molecules are small non-coding RNA sequences involved in the regulation of gene expression and can be detected in peripheral blood. Our aim was to identify candidate serum microRNAs associated with endometriosis and their role as minimally invasive biomarkers. Serum samples were obtained from 159 women, of whom 77 were diagnosed with endometriosis by laparoscopy and 82 were healthy women. First, a preliminary study identified 29 differentially expressed microRNAs between the two study groups. Next, nine of the differentially expressed microRNAs in the preliminary analysis were evaluated in a new cohort of 67 women with endometriosis and 72 healthy women. Upon validation by quantitative real-time PCR technique, the circulating level of miR-30c-5p was significantly higher in the endometriosis group compared with the healthy women group. The area under the curve value of miR-30c-5p was 0.8437, demonstrating its diagnostic potential even when serum samples registered an acceptable limit of hemolysis. Dysregulation of this microRNA was associated with molecular pathways related to cancer and neuronal processes. We concluded that miR-30c-5p is a potential minimally invasive biomarker of endometriosis, with higher expression in the group of women with endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy.

Steroidogenic Factor-1 form and function: From phospholipids to physiology

Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1, NR5A1) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-regulated transcription factors, consisting of a DNA-binding domain (DBD) connected to a transcriptional regulatory ligand binding domain (LBD) via an unstructured hinge domain. SF-1 is a master regulator of development and adult function along the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal and gonadal axes, with strong pathophysiological association with endometriosis and adrenocortical carcinoma. SF-1 was shown to bind and be regulated by phospholipids, one of the most interesting aspects of SF-1 regulation is the manner in which SF-1 interacts with phospholipids: SF-1 buries the phospholipid acyl chains deep in the hydrophobic core of the SF-1 protein, while the lipid headgroups remain solvent-exposed on the exterior of the SF-1 protein surface. Here, we have reviewed several aspects of SF-1 structure, function and physiology, touching on other transcription factors that help regulate SF-1 target genes, non-canonical functions of SF-1, the DNA-binding properties of SF-1, the use of mass spectrometry to identify lipids that associate with SF-1, how protein phosphorylation regulates SF-1 and the structural biology of the phospholipid-ligand binding domain. Together this review summarizes the form and function of Steroidogenic Factor-1 in physiology and in human disease, with particular emphasis on adrenal cancer.

Biomarkers of endometriosis

Endometriosis is one of the most severe female reproductive disorders, affecting 6-10% of women between 18 and 35. It is a gynaecological condition where endometrial tissue develops and settles outside the uterus. The aetiology of endometriosis is primarily influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and non-genetic variables, making it highly challenging to create a therapeutic therapy explicitly targeting the ectopic tissue. The delay in the treatment is due to the limitations in the diagnostic approaches, which are restricted to invasive techniques such as laparoscopy or laparotomy. This accords to 70% of the women being diagnosed at later stages. By understanding the subject, several treatment medications have been produced to lessen the disease's symptoms. Nevertheless, endometriosis cannot be permanently cured. A viable or persuasive standard screening test for endometriosis must be utilized in a clinical context. A helpful assessment method for the early identification of endometriosis could be biomarkers. A major research priority is the identification of a biomarker that is sensitive and specific enough for detecting endometriosis. The present article has reviewed studies published on the expression of biomarkers of endometriosis. It outlines various biomarkers from different sample types, such as serum/plasma and urine, in addition to tissue. This would provide a non-invasive approach to diagnosing the disease at the initial stages without any harmful repercussions. Future high-throughput advances in science and technology are anticipated to result in the creation of a potent remedy for endometriosis. To achieve successful outcomes, it is necessary to research the discussed biomarkers that demonstrate substantial results extensively.