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Ochoa Bernal MA, Fazleabas AT. The Known, the Unknown and the Future of the Pathophysiology of Endometriosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5815. [PMID: 38892003 PMCID: PMC11172035 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115815] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of chronic pelvic pain and infertility, affecting 10% of women of reproductive age. A delay of up to 9 years is estimated between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of endometriosis. Endometriosis is currently defined as the presence of endometrial epithelial and stromal cells at ectopic sites; however, advances in research on endometriosis have some authors believing that endometriosis should be re-defined as "a fibrotic condition in which endometrial stroma and epithelium can be identified". There are several theories on the etiology of the disease, but the origin of endometriosis remains unclear. This review addresses the role of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are naturally occurring post-transcriptional regulatory molecules, in endometriotic lesion development, the inflammatory environment within the peritoneal cavity, including the role that cytokines play during the development of the disease, and how animal models have helped in our understanding of the pathology of this enigmatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ariadna Ochoa Bernal
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA;
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Asgerally T. Fazleabas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA;
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2
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Jianu EM, Pop RM, Gherman LM, Ranga F, Levai AM, Rus V, Bolboacă SD, Ștefan RA, Onofrei MM, Nati ID, Stoia IA, Ștefan PA, Mihu C, Mihu CM. The Effect of Rubus idaeus Polyphenols Extract in Induced Endometriosis in Rats. Molecules 2024; 29:778. [PMID: 38398530 PMCID: PMC10893551 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040778] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition with a complex physio-pathological background. This study aimed to assess the role of Rubus idaeus leaf extract (RiDE) as a potential therapeutic agent in reducing the size of the endometriotic lesions and modulate the plasma expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TGF-β1. The endometriotic lesions were induced in a rat model by the autologous transplant of endometrium. Thirty-six female rats, Wistar breed, with induced endometriosis, were divided into four groups and underwent treatment for 28 days. The CTRL group received 0.5 mL/day of the vehicle; the DG group received 1 mg/kg b.w./day dienogest; the RiDG group received 0.25 mL/kg b.w./day RiDE and the D+RiDG group received 1 mg/kg b.w./day dienogest and 0.25 mL/kg b.w./day RiDE, respectively. Rats' weight, endometriotic lesion diameter and grade, and plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TGF-β1 were assessed before and after treatment. The administration of RiDE in association with dienogest vs. dienogest determined a lower weight gain and a reduction in diameter of the endometriotic lesions. RiDE administration restored MMP2 and MMP9 plasma levels to initial conditions. Rubus idaeus extract may help in reducing dienogest-associated weight gain, lower the size of endometriotic lesions, and have anti-inflammatory effects through MMP2 and MMP9 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena-Mihaela Jianu
- Histology, Department of Morphofunctional Sciences, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.-M.J.); (R.-A.Ș.); (M.M.O.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Raluca Maria Pop
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Morphofunctional Sciences, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Luciana Mădălina Gherman
- Experimental Centre, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur, No 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Floricuța Ranga
- Food Science and Technology, Department of Food Science, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăștur, No 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Antonia-Mihaela Levai
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Mother and Child, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-M.L.); (I.-D.N.)
| | - Vasile Rus
- Department of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăștur, No 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Sorana D. Bolboacă
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur, No 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Roxana-Adelina Ștefan
- Histology, Department of Morphofunctional Sciences, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.-M.J.); (R.-A.Ș.); (M.M.O.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Mădălin Mihai Onofrei
- Histology, Department of Morphofunctional Sciences, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.-M.J.); (R.-A.Ș.); (M.M.O.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Ionel-Daniel Nati
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Mother and Child, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-M.L.); (I.-D.N.)
| | - Ioana Alexandra Stoia
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department County Emergency Hospital, Clinicilor, No 3-5, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Paul-Andrei Ștefan
- Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Morphological Sciences, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Carina Mihu
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Morphofunctional Sciences, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Carmen Mihaela Mihu
- Histology, Department of Morphofunctional Sciences, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș, No 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.-M.J.); (R.-A.Ș.); (M.M.O.); (C.M.M.)
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Hassan S, Thacharodi A, Priya A, Meenatchi R, Hegde TA, R T, Nguyen HT, Pugazhendhi A. Endocrine disruptors: Unravelling the link between chemical exposure and Women's reproductive health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 241:117385. [PMID: 37838203 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
An Endocrine Disrupting Chemical (EDC) is any compound that disrupts the function of the endocrine system in humans and is ubiquitous in the environment either as a result of natural events or through anthropogenic activities. Bisphenol A, phthalates, parabens, pesticides, triclosan, polychlorinated biphenyls, and heavy metals, which are frequently found in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and packaging sectors, are some of the major sources of EDC pollutants. EDCs have been identified to have a deteriorating effect on the female reproductive system, as evidenced by the increasing number of reproductive disorders such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, menstrual irregularity, menarche, and infertility. Studying EDCs in relation to women's health is essential for understanding the complex interactions between environmental factors and health outcomes. It enables the development of strategies to mitigate risks, protect reproductive and overall health, and inform public policy decisions to safeguard women's well-being. Healthcare professionals must know the possible dangers of EDC exposure and ask about environmental exposures while evaluating patients. This may result in more precise diagnosis and personalized treatment regimens. This review summarises the existing understanding of prevalent EDCs that impact women's health and involvement in female reproductive dysfunction and underscores the need for more research. Further insights on potential mechanisms of action of EDCs on female has been emphasized in the article. We also discuss the role of nutritional intervention in reducing the effect of EDCs on women's reproductive health. EDC pollution can be further reduced by adhering to strict regulations prohibiting the release of estrogenic substances into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saqib Hassan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 600119, India; Future Leaders Mentoring Fellow, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, 20036, USA
| | - Aswin Thacharodi
- Dr. Thacharodi's Laboratories, Department of Research and Development, Puducherry, 605005, India
| | - Anshu Priya
- SRF-ICMR, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), South Campus, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - R Meenatchi
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Thanushree A Hegde
- Department of Civil Engineering, NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte, Karnataka, 574110, India
| | - Thangamani R
- Department of Civil Engineering, NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte, Karnataka, 574110, India
| | - H T Nguyen
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam; School of Engineering & Technology, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam
| | - Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam; School of Engineering & Technology, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam.
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Grande J, Jones TL, Sun Z, Chanana P, Jaiswal I, Leontovich A, Carapanceanu N, Carapanceanu V, Saadalla A, Osman A, Famuyide AO, Daftary GS, Khan Z, Khazaie K. Host immunity and KLF 11 deficiency together promote fibrosis in a mouse model of endometriosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166784. [PMID: 37321514 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a debilitating disease typically characterized by prolific fibrotic scarring. Earlier we reported downregulation of two transcription factors belonging TGF-βR signaling pathway Sp/Krüppel-like factor 11 (KLF11) and 10 (KLF10) in human endometriosis lesions. Here we investigated the role of these nuclear factors and immunity in the scaring fibrosis associated with endometriosis. METHODS We used a well characterized experimental mouse model of endometriosis. WT, KLF10 or KLF11 deficient mice were compared. The lesions were evaluated histologically, fibrosis was quantified with Masons' Trichome staining, immune-infiltrates were quantified by immunohistochemistry, peritoneal adhesions were score, gene expression was evaluated by bulk RNA sequencing. RESULTS Intense fibrotic reactions and large changes in gene expression were detected in KLF11 deficient implants associated with squamous metaplasia of the ectopic endometrium, as compared to KLF10 deficient or WT implants. Fibrosis was mitigated with pharmacologic agents that blocked histone acetylation or TGF-βR signaling or with genetic deficiency for SMAD3. The lesions were richly infiltrated with T-cells, regulatory T-cells, and innate immune cells. Fibrosis was exacerbated when implants expressed ectopic genes implicating autoimmunity as a major factor contributing to the scaring fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identify KLF11 and TGF-βR signaling as cell intrinsic mechanisms and autoimmune responses as cell extrinsic mechanisms of scaring fibrosis in ectopic endometrium lesions. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Immunological factors associated with inflammation and tissue repair drive scaring fibrosis in experimental endometriosis, providing the rationale for immune therapy of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Grande
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Tiffanny L Jones
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Zhifu Sun
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Pritha Chanana
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Indu Jaiswal
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Alexey Leontovich
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Nicoletta Carapanceanu
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, CRB, 2-221, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259, United States of America
| | - Valentin Carapanceanu
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, CRB, 2-221, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259, United States of America
| | - Abdulrahman Saadalla
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, CRB, 2-221, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259, United States of America
| | - Abu Osman
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, CRB, 2-221, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259, United States of America
| | - Abimbola O Famuyide
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Gaurang S Daftary
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America.
| | - Zaraq Khan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America.
| | - Khashayarsha Khazaie
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, CRB, 2-221, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259, United States of America.
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5
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He Y, Liang B, Hung SW, Zhang R, Xu H, Chung JPW, Wang CC. Re-evaluation of mouse models of endometriosis for pathological and immunological research. Front Immunol 2022; 13:986202. [PMID: 36466829 PMCID: PMC9716019 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.986202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease with chronic pelvic inflammation. In order to study the pathophysiology of endometriosis and examine the therapeutic effects of new pharmaceuticals for endometriosis treatment, different animal models had been developed in the last two decades, especially mouse models. However, no study evaluated the effects of various modeling approaches on pathology and immunology in endometriosis. This study aimed to compare endometriotic lesion development and immune profiles under different methods of establishing endometriosis models in mice, including estrus synchronization (ovariectomy with estrogen supplement versus male urine-soaked transfer bedding), endometrium preparations (whole uterus including endometrium and myometrium fragments versus solely endometrium fragments), and surgical transplantation (subcutaneous transplantation versus intraperitoneal injection). Our results showed that lesion growth under estrus synchronization by ovariectomy with estrogen supplement had a higher success rate and more proliferative endometrium, apart from higher body weight gain. Immune responses in peripheral blood were similar in the whole uterus and solely endometrium fragments and in intraperitoneal injection and subcutaneous transplantation, but a more innate immune response in the peritoneal microenvironment was found in solely endometrium fragments and intraperitoneal injection than counterparts. In conclusion, different endometriosis modeling methods result in different pathological and immunological features. Ovariectomy with estrogen supplement, solely endometrium fragments, and intraperitoneal injection are more suitable for both pathological and immunological studies of endometriosis in mice, which are important for mechanistic studies and immunotherapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bo Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sze Wan Hung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ruizhe Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jacqueline Pui Wah Chung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sichuan University Joint Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Kanellopoulos D, Karagianni D, Pergialiotis V, Patsouras G, Patsouras K, Nikiteas N, Lazaris AC, Iliopoulos D. The interplay between endometriosis and fertility in rats: a systematic review. J Med Life 2022; 15:742-746. [PMID: 35928366 PMCID: PMC9321488 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2021-0329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For the last decades, endometriosis has been a major gynecological problem and a significant cause of infertility for women worldwide. It is estimated that the disease affects about 10-15% of all women of reproductive age and 70% of women suffering from chronic pelvic pain. At the same time, the incidence is about 40-60% in women with dysmenorrhea and 20-30% in women with subfertility. Despite the high percentage of affected women, endometriosis is still characterized by insufficient knowledge of the pathogenic processes, leading to the development and continuity of the disease. For this reason, there is a significant need for insight and understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis. This systematic review aims to present the latest data on the use of rats in endometriosis research and to explore how fertility is affected in rats with endometriosis. The methodology included a review of the available publications retrieved by a search in various scientific databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar. The initial search generated 30 titles, with 10 articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria. In conclusion, several surgical techniques have been proposed to induce endometriosis, mainly using rats as the appropriate animal model. Studies in rats showed that endometriosis causes infertility and that pregnancy rates are lower for rats with endometriosis than those without endometriosis. In addition, rats with endometriosis have significant abnormalities in the structure of their oocytes as well as in the development of their embryos (genetic abnormalities).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kanellopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzaneio Hospital, Athens, Greece,Corresponding Author: Dimitrios Kanellopoulos, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. E-mail:
| | - Dimitra Karagianni
- 1 Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios Pergialiotis
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Nikolaos Nikiteas
- 2 Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas C Lazaris
- 1 Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Iliopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Marquardt RM, Nafiujjaman M, Kim TH, Chung SJ, Hadrick K, Kim T, Jeong JW. A Mouse Model of Endometriosis with Nanoparticle Labeling for In Vivo Photoacoustic Imaging. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:2947-2959. [PMID: 35641854 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00980-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a condition of the female reproductive tract characterized by endometrium-like tissue growing outside the uterus. Though it is a common cause of pelvic pain and infertility, there is currently no reliable noninvasive method to diagnose the presence of endometriosis without surgery, and the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to the occurrence of symptoms require further inquiry. Due to patient heterogeneity and delayed diagnosis, animal models are commonly used to study the development of endometriosis, but these are costly due to the large number of animals needed to test various treatments and experimental conditions at multiple endpoints. Here, we describe a method for synthesis of multimodal imaging gold-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) nanoparticles with preclinical application via induction of nanoparticle-labeled endometriosis-like lesions in mice. Labeling donor endometrial tissue fragments with gold-FITC nanoparticles prior to induction of endometriosis in recipients enables in vivo detection of the gold-labeled lesions with photoacoustic imaging. The same imaging method can be used to visualize embryos noninvasively in pregnant mice. Furthermore, the conjugated FITC dye on the gold nanoparticles allows easy isolation of labeled lesion tissue under a fluorescence dissection microscope. After dissection, the presence of gold-FITC nanoparticles and endometrium-like histology of lesions can be verified through fluorescence imaging, gold enhancement, and immunostaining. This method for in vivo imaging of endometriosis-like lesions and fluorescence-guided dissection will permit new experimental possibilities for the longitudinal study of endometriosis development and progression as well as endometriosis-related infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Marquardt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.,Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, College of Natural Science, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Md Nafiujjaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Tae Hoon Kim
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Seock-Jin Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Kay Hadrick
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Taeho Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Jae-Wook Jeong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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8
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Burns KA, Pearson AM, Slack JL, Por ED, Scribner AN, Eti NA, Burney RO. Endometriosis in the Mouse: Challenges and Progress Toward a ‘Best Fit’ Murine Model. Front Physiol 2022; 12:806574. [PMID: 35095566 PMCID: PMC8794744 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.806574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecologic condition associated with pelvic pain and infertility characterized by the implantation and growth of endometrial tissue displaced into the pelvis via retrograde menstruation. The mouse is a molecularly well-annotated and cost-efficient species for modeling human disease in the therapeutic discovery pipeline. However, as a non-menstrual species with a closed tubo-ovarian junction, the mouse poses inherent challenges as a preclinical model for endometriosis research. Over the past three decades, numerous murine models of endometriosis have been described with varying degrees of fidelity in recapitulating the essential pathophysiologic features of the human disease. We conducted a search of the peer-reviewed literature to identify publications describing preclinical research using a murine model of endometriosis. Each model was reviewed according to a panel of ideal model parameters founded on the current understanding of endometriosis pathophysiology. Evaluated parameters included method of transplantation, cycle phase and type of tissue transplanted, recipient immune/ovarian status, iterative schedule of transplantation, and option for longitudinal lesion assessment. Though challenges remain, more recent models have incorporated innovative technical approaches such as in vivo fluorescence imaging and novel hormonal preparations to overcome the unique challenges posed by murine anatomy and physiology. These models offer significant advantages in lesion development and readout toward a high-fidelity mouse model for translational research in endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Burns
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Katherine A. Burns,
| | - Amelia M. Pearson
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jessica L. Slack
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA, United States
| | - Elaine D. Por
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA, United States
| | - Alicia N. Scribner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA, United States
| | - Nazmin A. Eti
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Richard O. Burney
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA, United States
- Richard O. Burney,
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9
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Abdolmaleki A, Jalili C, Mansouri K, Bakhtiari M. New rat to mouse xenograft transplantation of endometrium as a model of human endometriosis. Animal Model Exp Med 2021; 4:268-277. [PMID: 34557653 PMCID: PMC8446700 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endometriosis can lead to infertility. Since there is no definitive treatment for endometriosis, animal modelling seems necessary to examine the possible treatments. Mouse endometrium cannot be separated for endometriosis induction. In addition, transplantation of uterus into the abdominal viscera to induce endometriosis causes organ damage. In this study, we defined a new model of endometriosis leading to separability of endometrium and a safe anatomical region for transplantation. Methods Forty female mice were allocated to 5 groups: 1, sham; 2, allograft uterus transplantation of mice to anterior abdominal wall of mice; 3, allograft uterus transplantation of mice to mesentery of mice; 4, xenograft endometrial transplantation of rat to anterior abdominal wall of mice; 5, xenograft endometrial transplantation of rat to mesentery of mice. Adult female rats with a previous pregnancy experience were selected and placed in the vicinity of male rats for 2 weeks to induce estrogen secretion and increase endometrial thickness. Results In the 4th group of animals, compared to sham, the peritoneal concentrations of VEGF-A, TNF-α, NO, MDA, and serum levels of CA-125 and IL-37 were increased and total body weight was decreased, while weight and size of endometrial lesions were increased significantly (P < .05). Genes expression of HOXA10 and HOXA11 were decreased significantly (P < .05) in groups 2 and 4 compared to sham. Conclusions Xenograft transplantation of endometrium from rat to anterior abdominal wall of mice can potentially mimic human endometriosis morphologically, histologically, and genetically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abdolmaleki
- Department of Anatomical SciencesFaculty of MedicineKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Cyrus Jalili
- Medical Biology Research CenterHealth Technology InstituteKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Kamran Mansouri
- Medical Biology Research CenterHealth Technology InstituteKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mitra Bakhtiari
- Department of Anatomical SciencesFaculty of MedicineKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
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10
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Castro J, Maddern J, Grundy L, Manavis J, Harrington AM, Schober G, Brierley SM. A mouse model of endometriosis that displays vaginal, colon, cutaneous, and bladder sensory comorbidities. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21430. [PMID: 33749885 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002441r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a painful inflammatory disorder affecting ~10% of women of reproductive age. Although chronic pelvic pain (CPP) remains the main symptom of endometriosis patients, adequate treatments for CPP are lacking. Animal models that recapitulate the features and symptoms experienced by women with endometriosis are essential for investigating the etiology of endometriosis, as well as developing new treatments. In this study, we used an autologous mouse model of endometriosis to examine a combination of disease features and symptoms including: a 10 week time course of endometriotic lesion development; the chronic inflammatory environment and development of neuroangiogenesis within lesions; sensory hypersensitivity and altered pain responses to vaginal, colon, bladder, and skin stimulation in conscious animals; and spontaneous animal behavior. We found significant increases in lesion size from week 6 posttransplant. Lesions displayed endometrial glands, stroma, and underwent neuroangiogenesis. Additionally, peritoneal fluid of mice with endometriosis contained known inflammatory mediators and angiogenic factors. Compared to Sham, mice with endometriosis displayed: enhanced sensitivity to pain evoked by (i) vaginal and (ii) colorectal distension, (iii) altered bladder function and increased sensitivity to cutaneous (iv) thermal and (v) mechanical stimuli. The development of endometriosis had no effect on spontaneous behavior. This study describes a comprehensive characterization of a mouse model of endometriosis, recapitulating the clinical features and symptoms experienced by women with endometriosis. Moreover, it delivers the groundwork to investigate the etiology of endometriosis and provides a platform for the development of therapeutical interventions to manage endometriosis-associated CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Castro
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jessica Maddern
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Luke Grundy
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jim Manavis
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Andrea M Harrington
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gudrun Schober
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stuart M Brierley
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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11
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Matta K, Koual M, Ploteau S, Coumoul X, Audouze K, Le Bizec B, Antignac JP, Cano-Sancho G. Associations between Exposure to Organochlorine Chemicals and Endometriosis: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies and Integration of Epidemiological Evidence. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:76003. [PMID: 34310196 PMCID: PMC8312885 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing epidemiological evidence suggests that organochlorine chemicals (OCCs), including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. OBJECTIVES We aimed to systematically review the experimental evidence (in vivo and in vitro) on the associations between exposure to OCCs and endometriosis-related end points. METHODS A systematic review protocol was developed following the National Toxicology Program /Office of Health Assessment and Translation (NTP/OHAT) framework and managed within a web-based interface. In vivo studies designed to evaluate the impact of OCCs on the onset or progression of endometriosis and proliferation of induced endometriotic lesions were eligible. Eligible in vitro studies included single-cell and co-culture models to evaluate the proliferation, migration, and/or invasion of endometrial cells. We applied the search strings to PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus®. A final search was performed on 24 June 2020. Assessment of risk of bias and the level of evidence and integration of preevaluated epidemiological evidence was conducted using NTP/OHAT framework Results: Out of 812 total studies, 39 met the predetermined eligibility criteria (15 in vivo, 23 in vitro, and 1 both). Most studies (n=27) tested TCDD and other dioxin-like chemicals. In vivo evidence supported TCDD's promotion of endometriosis onset and lesion growth. In vitro evidence supported TCDD's promotion of cell migration and invasion, but there was insufficient evidence for cell proliferation. In vitro evidence further supported the roles of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and matrix metalloproteinases in mediating steroidogenic disruption and inflammatory responses. Estrogen interactions were found across studies and end points. CONCLUSION Based on the integration of a high level of animal evidence with a moderate level of epidemiological evidence, we concluded that TCDD was a known hazard for endometriosis in humans and the conclusion is supported by mechanistic in vitro evidence. Nonetheless, there is need for further research to fill in our gaps in understanding of the relationship between OCCs and their mixtures and endometriosis, beyond the prototypical TCDD. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8421.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komodo Matta
- Oniris, INRAE, UMR 1329 Laboratoire d’Étude des Résidus et Contaminants dans les Aliments (LABERCA), Nantes, France
| | - Meriem Koual
- Université de Paris, T3S, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) UMR S-1124, Paris, France
- Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Ploteau
- Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, Centre d’investigation clinique–Femme Enfant Adolescent, Hôpital Mère Enfant, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hôtel Dieu, Nantes, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- Université de Paris, T3S, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) UMR S-1124, Paris, France
| | - Karine Audouze
- Université de Paris, T3S, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) UMR S-1124, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Le Bizec
- Oniris, INRAE, UMR 1329 Laboratoire d’Étude des Résidus et Contaminants dans les Aliments (LABERCA), Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Antignac
- Oniris, INRAE, UMR 1329 Laboratoire d’Étude des Résidus et Contaminants dans les Aliments (LABERCA), Nantes, France
| | - German Cano-Sancho
- Oniris, INRAE, UMR 1329 Laboratoire d’Étude des Résidus et Contaminants dans les Aliments (LABERCA), Nantes, France
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12
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Wilson MR, Holladay J, Chandler RL. A mouse model of endometriosis mimicking the natural spread of invasive endometrium. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:58-69. [PMID: 31886851 PMCID: PMC8205619 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to establish a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of endometriosis that mimics the natural spread of invasive endometrium? SUMMARY ANSWER Endometriosis occurs in an ARID1A (AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 1A) and PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha) mutant GEMM of endometrial dysfunction following salpingectomy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although mouse models of endometriosis have long been established, most models rely on intraperitoneal injection of uterine fragments, steroid hormone treatments or the use of immune-compromised mice. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Mice harboring the lactotransferrin-Cre (LtfCre0/+), Arid1afl, (Gt)R26Pik3ca*H1047R and (Gt)R26mTmG alleles were subject to unilateral salpingectomies at 6 weeks of age. Control (n = 9), LtfCre0/+; (Gt)R26Pik3ca*H1047R; Arid1afl/+ (n = 8) and LtfCre0/+; (Gt)R26Pik3ca*H1047R; Arid1afl/fl (n = 9) were used for the study. The (Gt)R26mTmG allele was used for the purpose of fluorescent lineage tracing of endometrial epithelium. LtfCre0/+; (Gt)R26mTmG (n = 3) and LtfCre0/+; (Gt)R26Pik3ca*H1047R/mTmG; Arid1afl/fl (n = 4) were used for this purpose. Mice were followed until the endpoint of vaginal bleeding at an average time of 17 weeks of age. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS At 6 weeks of age, mice were subjected to salpingectomy surgery. Mice were followed until the time point of vaginal bleeding (average 17 weeks), or aged for 1 year in the case of control mice. At time of sacrifice, endometriotic lesions, ovaries and uterus were collected for the purpose of histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. Samples were analyzed for markers of the endometriotic tissue and other relevant biomarkers. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Following salpingectomy, LtfCre0/+; (Gt)R26Pik3ca*H1047R/mTmG; Arid1afl/fl mice developed endometriotic lesions, including lesions on the ovary, omentum and abdominal wall. Epithelial glands within lesions were negative for ARID1A and positive for phospho-S6 staining, indicating ARID1A-PIK3CA co-mutation status, and expressed EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein), indicating endometrial origins. LARGE-SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION LtfCre0/+; (Gt)R26Pik3ca*H1047R; Arid1afl/fl mice develop vaginal bleeding as a result of endometrial dysfunction at an average age of 17 weeks and must be sacrificed. Furthermore, while this model mimics the natural spread of endometriotic tissue directly from the uterus to the peritoneum, the data presented do not reject current hypotheses on endometriosis pathogenesis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The idea that endometriosis is the result of abnormal endometrial tissue colonizing the peritoneum via retrograde menstruation has gained widespread support over the past century. However, most models of endometriosis take for granted this possibility, relying on the surgical removal of bulk uterine tissue and subsequent transplantation into the peritoneum. Growing evidence suggests that somatic mutations in ARID1A and PIK3CA are present in the endometrial epithelium. The establishment of a GEMM which mimics the natural spread of endometrium and subsequent lesion formation supports the hypothesis that endometriosis is derived from mutant endometrial epithelium with invasive properties. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by the American Cancer Society PF-17-163-02-DDC (M.R.W.), the Mary Kay Foundation 026-16 (R.L.C.) and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance 457446 (R.L.C.). The authors declare no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike R Wilson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Jeanne Holladay
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Ronald L Chandler
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.,Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.,Department of Women's Health, Spectrum Health System, Grand Rapids, MI 49341, USA
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13
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McAllister SL, Sinharoy P, Vasu M, Gross ER. Aberrant reactive aldehyde detoxification by aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 influences endometriosis development and pain-associated behaviors. Pain 2021; 162:71-83. [PMID: 32541390 PMCID: PMC7718385 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis affects ∼176 million women worldwide, yet on average, women experience pain ∼10 years from symptom onset before being properly diagnosed. Standard treatments (drugs or surgery) often fail to provide long-term pain relief. Elevated levels of reactive aldehydes such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) have been implicated in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis and upon accumulation, reactive aldehydes can form protein-adducts and/or generate pain. A key enzyme in detoxifying reactive aldehydes to less reactive forms is the mitochondrial enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2). Here, we tested the hypothesis that aberrant reactive aldehyde detoxification by ALDH2 underlies endometriosis and its associated pain. We determined, in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with severe (stage IV) peritoneal endometriosis, that ALDH2 enzyme activity was decreased, which was associated with decreased ALDH2 expression and increased 4-HNE adduct formation compared to the eutopic endometrium of controls in the proliferative phase. Using a rodent model of endometriosis and an ALDH2*2 knock-in mouse with decreased ALDH2 activity, we determined that increasing ALDH2 activity with the enzyme activator Alda-1 could prevent endometriosis lesion development as well as alleviate pain-associated behaviors in proestrus. Overall, our findings suggest that targeting the ALDH2 enzyme in endometriosis may lead to better treatment strategies and in the proliferative phase, that increased 4-HNE adduct formation within the endometrium may serve as a less invasive diagnostic biomarker to reduce years of suffering in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy L. McAllister
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Pritam Sinharoy
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Megana Vasu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Eric R. Gross
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
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14
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Mouse model for endometriosis is characterized by proliferation and inflammation but not epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis. J Biosci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-020-00073-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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15
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Vashisht A, Alali Z, Nothnick WB. Deciphering the Role of miRNAs in Endometriosis Pathophysiology Using Experimental Endometriosis Mouse Models. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2020; 232:79-97. [PMID: 33278008 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-51856-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is an enigmatic disease for which we still have a poor understanding on how and why the disease develops. In recent years, miRNAs, small noncoding RNAs which regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally, have been evaluated for their role in endometriosis pathophysiology. This review will provide a brief summary on the role of miRNAs in endometrial physiology and pathophysiology as related to endometriosis. We will then discuss mouse models used in endometriosis research and the incorporation of some of these models in studies which examined the role of miRNAs in endometriosis pathophysiology. We conclude with providing future prospective on the role of mouse models in dissecting the role of miRNAs in endometriosis pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi Vashisht
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Zahraa Alali
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Warren B Nothnick
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. .,Center for Reproductive Sciences, Institute for Reproductive and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
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16
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Han SJ, Lee JE, Cho YJ, Park MJ, O’Malley BW. Genomic Function of Estrogen Receptor β in Endometriosis. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2495-2516. [PMID: 31504401 PMCID: PMC6773435 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER) β plays a critical role in endometriosis progression because cytoplasmic ERβ stimulates proinflammatory signaling in ectopic lesions and prevents apoptosis to promote their survival. However, the role of "nuclear ERβ" in endometriosis progression is not known. This critical knowledge gap obscures our understanding of the full molecular etiology of ERβ-mediated endometriosis progression. To fill this void, we generated an ERβ-regulated transcriptome and ERβ cistrome in ectopic lesions and the eutopic endometrium of mice with endometriosis by using a new endometrium-specific FLAG-tagged human ERβ overexpression mouse model. The integration of these omics data sets revealed that ERβ stimulated the proliferation activities of ectopic lesions and the eutopic endometrium by directly upregulating MYC and E2 transcription factor target genes and genes associated with the G2/M transition. Additionally, ERβ stimulated gene expression associated with TNFα/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, reactive oxygen species signaling, IL-6/Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 signaling, and hypoxia signaling and suppressed IFNα signaling in ectopic lesions to enhance endometriosis progression. ERβ also stimulated gene expression associated with the unfolded protein response and IL-6/JAK/STAT3 inhibitory signaling and suppressed TNFα/NF-κB signaling in the eutopic endometrium to cause endometriosis-associated endometrial dysfunction. Therefore, nuclear ERβ-regulated gene networks provide critical clues to understand the molecular etiology and complexity of endometriosis and endometriosis-associated endometrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Correspondence: Sang Jun Han, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030. E-mail:
| | - Jiyeun E Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Yeon Jean Cho
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Jin Park
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Bert W O’Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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17
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Chadchan SB, Cheng M, Parnell LA, Yin Y, Schriefer A, Mysorekar IU, Kommagani R. Antibiotic therapy with metronidazole reduces endometriosis disease progression in mice: a potential role for gut microbiota. Hum Reprod 2019; 34:1106-1116. [PMID: 31037294 PMCID: PMC6554192 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does altering gut microbiota with antibiotic treatment have any impact on endometriosis progression? SUMMARY ANSWER Antibiotic therapy reduces endometriosis progression in mice, possibly by reducing specific gut bacteria. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Endometriosis, a chronic condition causing abdominal pain and infertility, afflicts up to 10% of women between the ages of 25 and 40, ~5 million women in the USA. Current treatment strategies, including hormone therapy and surgery, have significant side effects and do not prevent recurrences. We have little understanding of why some women develop endometriosis and others do not. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Mice were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics or metronidazole, subjected to surgically-induced endometriosis and assayed after 21 days. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The volumes and weights of endometriotic lesions and histological signatures were analysed. Proliferation and inflammation in lesions were assessed by counting cells that were positive for the proliferation marker Ki-67 and the macrophage marker Iba1, respectively. Differences in faecal bacterial composition were assessed in mice with and without endometriosis, and faecal microbiota transfer studies were performed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In mice treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (vancomycin, neomycin, metronidazole and ampicillin), endometriotic lesions were significantly smaller (~ 5-fold; P < 0.01) with fewer proliferating cells (P < 0.001) than those in mice treated with vehicle. Additionally, inflammatory responses, as measured by the macrophage marker Iba1 in lesions and IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and TGF-β1 in peritoneal fluid, were significantly reduced in mice treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (P < 0.05). In mice treated with metronidazole only, but not in those treated with neomycin, ectopic lesions were significantly (P < 0.001) smaller in volume than those from vehicle-treated mice. Finally, oral gavage of faeces from mice with endometriosis restored the endometriotic lesion growth and inflammation (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) in metronidazole-treated mice. LARGE-SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION These findings are from a mouse model of surgically-induced endometriosis. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism by which gut bacteria promote inflammation, identify bacterial genera or species that promote disease progression and assess the translatability of these findings to humans. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings suggest that gut bacteria promote endometriosis progression in mice. This finding if translated to humans, could aid in the development of improved diagnostic tools and personalised treatment strategies. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was funded, in part, by: a National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) grant (R00HD080742) to RK; Washington University School of Medicine start-up funds to RK; an Endometriosis Foundation of America Research Award to R.K.; and an NIH/NICHD grant (R01HD091218) to IUM. The authors report no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangappa B Chadchan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
| | - Meng Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
| | - Lindsay A Parnell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
| | - Yin Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
| | - Andrew Schriefer
- Genome Technology Access Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
| | - Indira U Mysorekar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
| | - Ramakrishna Kommagani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA
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18
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Filho PWLL, Chaves Filho AJM, Vieira CFX, Oliveira TDQ, Soares MVR, Jucá PM, Quevedo J, Barichello T, Macedo D, das Chagas Medeiros F. Peritoneal endometriosis induces time-related depressive- and anxiety-like alterations in female rats: involvement of hippocampal pro-oxidative and BDNF alterations. Metab Brain Dis 2019; 34:909-925. [PMID: 30798429 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-019-00397-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition affecting 10% of women in reproductive age. High rates of depression and anxiety are observed in these patients. The mechanisms underlying endometriosis-induced behavioral alterations are still elusive. Animal models provide a useful tool to study the temporal sequence and biological pathways involved in this disease and comorbid states. Here, we sought to characterize time-related behavioral alterations in rats submitted to endometriosis model (EM) induced by peritoneal auto-transplantation of uterine tissues weekly for three weeks. Corticosterone stress reactivity, oxidative stress markers - reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) - and brain-derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus were also evaluated. We observed a progressive increase in anxiety-like behavior from 14th to 21st days post-EM. Despair-like behavior was observed from the 14th day post-EM on, while anhedonia and apathetic-like behaviors accompanied by increased corticosterone stress response were detected on 21 days post-EM. Increased pain sensitivity was observed from the 7th day post-EM and was accompanied by increased endometrioma weight. The pro-oxidative alterations, decreased GSH and increased SOD activity were observed on 21 days post-EM, except for lipid peroxidation that was altered from the 14th day. Decreased BDNF also occurred on the 21st day. Therefore, this study demonstrates that EM is related to several features of clinical depression and proposes the contribution of hippocampal oxidative state and neurotrophic support for the emergence of these changes. Our results support the use of this model as a useful tool to test new strategies for endometriosis-related neuropsychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Wagner Linhares Lima Filho
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1000. CEP, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-270, Brazil
- Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Adriano José Maia Chaves Filho
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1000. CEP, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-270, Brazil
| | - Charliene Freire Xavier Vieira
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1000. CEP, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-270, Brazil
| | - Tatiana de Queiroz Oliveira
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1000. CEP, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-270, Brazil
| | - Michelle Verde Ramo Soares
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1000. CEP, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-270, Brazil
| | - Paloma Marinho Jucá
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1000. CEP, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-270, Brazil
| | - Joao Quevedo
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina - UNESC, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Barichello
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina - UNESC, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Danielle Macedo
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1000. CEP, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-270, Brazil.
- National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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19
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Dodds KN, Beckett EAH, Evans SF, Hutchinson MR. Lesion development is modulated by the natural estrous cycle and mouse strain in a minimally invasive model of endometriosis. Biol Reprod 2019; 97:810-821. [PMID: 29069288 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Many rodent models of endometriosis are invasive, involving surgery to implant donor endometrial tissue into recipient animals. Moreover, few studies have compared and contrasted lesions between rodent strains and estrous stages without exogenous hormone manipulation. This is despite extensive data demonstrating that genetic and hormonal factors can influence endometriosis progression. Here, we have refined a minimally invasive model of endometriosis using naturally cycling mice (donor and recipient matched for cycle phase) to investigate lesion development in two different strains (C57BL/6 and BALB/c), induced in estrous stages of high and low estrogen (proestrus or estrus, respectively), and with varying amounts of donor endometrial tissue (7.5-40 mg), injected intraperitoneally. The overall probability of developing endometriosis-like lesions was higher in proestrus than estrus, and increased with greater masses of donor tissue. Similarly, the total number of lesions (0-3) increased from 7.5 to 40 mg, and was significantly greater in proestrus C57BL/6 mice but not BALB/cs. The dominant lesion type also differed between mouse strains; C57BL/6 mice were more likely to develop dense-type lesions, whereas BALB/c mice developed a greater proportion of cystic type. These data further support a role for estrogen in the development of endometriosis, and that genetic variance can influence the degree and characteristics of lesions. Our minimally invasive model would be beneficial for studies with outcome measurements particularly sensitive to incisional injury, such as pain, or alterations to sex hormones, including fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsi N Dodds
- Discipline of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A H Beckett
- Discipline of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Susan F Evans
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mark R Hutchinson
- Discipline of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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20
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Tyshko NV, Shestakova SI. Model of vitamin and mineral deficiency for toxicological research: Apoptosis activity under conditions of CCL4 intoxication. Toxicol Rep 2018; 6:151-154. [PMID: 30705831 PMCID: PMC6349300 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The apoptosis activity and clinical state in vitamin and mineral supplemented male Wistar rats was evaluated after carbon tetrachloride exposure (CCL4). The animals were divided equally into 6 groups (3 control groups and 3 exposure groups) with the control groups (C-75, C-30, C-19) receiving AIN-93, a specific diet for rodents, consisting of a 75%, 30% and 19% ratio of vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6) and minerals (Fe3+ and Mg2+) and exposure groups (E-75, E-30, E-19) receiving the same diet paradigm as with the control groups but with the additional CCL4 administered once a week as an olive oil solution (control groups received the same ratio of olive oil without CCL4) for a duration of 64 days. The systemic condition of the male Wistar rats was evaluated based on morphological parameters and hematological and biochemical analysis, whereas the apoptosis activity in the liver was evaluated via comet assay techniques. The apoptosis activity in the liver of control and exposure groups increased compared to the decrease in the essential substance provisions with the E-75 group reaching 129% (p < 0.05) higher levels compared to the C-75 group, and 98% (p < 0.05) and 23% (p > 0.05) higher in the E-30 and E-19 groups compared to the C-30 and C-19 groups, respectively. From the apoptosis results and clinical state evaluation, it is clearly demonstrated that the effectiveness of using apoptosis activity as a biomarker after CCL4 exposure and the vitamin and mineral absorption capability in male Wistar rats can be applied as an evaluating method for toxicological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda V. Tyshko
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety", Moscow, Russian Federation
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21
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Bruner-Tran KL, Mokshagundam S, Herington JL, Ding T, Osteen KG. Rodent Models of Experimental Endometriosis: Identifying Mechanisms of Disease and Therapeutic Targets. CURRENT WOMEN'S HEALTH REVIEWS 2018; 14:173-188. [PMID: 29861705 PMCID: PMC5925870 DOI: 10.2174/1573404813666170921162041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although it has been more than a century since endometriosis was initially described in the literature, understanding the etiology and natural history of the disease has been challenging. However, the broad utility of murine and rat models of experimental endometriosis has enabled the elucidation of a number of potentially targetable processes which may otherwise promote this disease. OBJECTIVE To review a variety of studies utilizing rodent models of endometriosis to illustrate their utility in examining mechanisms associated with development and progression of this disease. RESULTS Use of rodent models of endometriosis has provided a much broader understanding of the risk factors for the initial development of endometriosis, the cellular pathology of the disease and the identification of potential therapeutic targets. CONCLUSION Although there are limitations with any animal model, the variety of experimental endometriosis models that have been developed has enabled investigation into numerous aspects of this disease. Thanks to these models, our under-standing of the early processes of disease development, the role of steroid responsiveness, inflammatory processes and the peritoneal environment has been advanced. More recent models have begun to shed light on how epigenetic alterations con-tribute to the molecular basis of this disease as well as the multiple comorbidities which plague many patients. Continued de-velopments of animal models which aid in unraveling the mechanisms of endometriosis development provide the best oppor-tunity to identify therapeutic strategies to prevent or regress this enigmatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylon L. Bruner-Tran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Nashville, TN37232, USA
| | - Shilpa Mokshagundam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Nashville, TN37232, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Herington
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232, USA
| | - Tianbing Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Nashville, TN37232, USA
| | - Kevin G. Osteen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Nashville, TN37232, USA
- VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, NashvilleTN37212, USA
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22
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Cho YJ, Lee JE, Park MJ, O'Malley BW, Han SJ. Bufalin suppresses endometriosis progression by inducing pyroptosis and apoptosis. J Endocrinol 2018; 237:255-269. [PMID: 29636364 PMCID: PMC5943165 DOI: 10.1530/joe-17-0700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1 isoform/estrogen receptor (ER)-β axis has an essential role in endometriosis progression. In this context, therefore, bufalin was employed as a 'tool compound' to evaluate inhibitors of SRC in alternative endometriosis treatment. Bufalin effectively suppressed the growth of primary human endometrial stroma cells isolated from endometriosis patients compared to women without endometriosis and immortalized human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells expressing the SRC-1 isoform compared to their parental cells in vitroIn vivo, compared to the vehicle, bufalin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of endometriotic lesions in mice with surgically induced endometriosis because bufalin disrupted the functional axis of SRC-1 isoform/ERβ by increasing SRC-1 isoform protein stability, hyperactivating the transcriptional activity of the SRC-1 isoform and degrading the ERβ protein by proteasome 26S subunit, non-ATPase 2 in endometriotic lesions. Bufalin treatment elevated the apoptosis signaling in epithelial cells of endometriotic lesions. In stromal cells of endometriotic lesions, bufalin treatment increased the levels of pyroptosis markers (caspase 1 and the active form of interleukin 1β) and reduced proliferation. In addition, bufalin treatment increased the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum-stress (ERS) markers (PKR-like ER kinase, protein disulfide isomerase and binding immunoglobulin) in endometriotic lesions. Collectively, the bufalin-induced disruption of the SRC-1 isoform/ERβ axis might induce apoptosis, pyroptosis and ERS signaling in endometriotic lesions, causing the suppression of endometriosis. Therefore, future generations of SRC-modulators could be employed as an alternative medical approach for endometriosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Jean Cho
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dong-A University, College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeun E Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mi Jin Park
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bert W O'Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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23
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Simitsidellis I, Gibson DA, Saunders PTK. Animal models of endometriosis: Replicating the aetiology and symptoms of the human disorder. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 32:257-269. [PMID: 29779580 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic incurable disorder that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age: associated symptoms include chronic pain and infertility. The aetiology of endometriosis remains poorly understood but patients, clinicians and researchers are all in agreement that new non-surgical therapies are urgently needed to reduce the severity of symptoms. Preclinical testing of drugs requires the development and validation of models that recapitulate the key features of the disorder. In this review we describe the best-validated animal models (primate, rodent, xenograft) and their contributions to our understanding of the factors underpinning the development of symptoms. We consider the evidence that these models have provided the platform for identification of new therapeutic interventions and reflect on future directions for research and drug validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Simitsidellis
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.
| | - Douglas A Gibson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.
| | - Philippa T K Saunders
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.
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24
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Galvankar M, Singh N, Modi D. Estrogen is essential but not sufficient to induce endometriosis. J Biosci 2018; 42:251-263. [PMID: 28569249 DOI: 10.1007/s12038-017-9687-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disorder of unknown aetiology. Among the several factors, estrogen has been implicated as a causative factor in endometriosis. In the present study using mouse model, we assessed the role of estrogen in the initial implantation and growth of endometrium in ectopic locations. Uterine tissues from green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were transplanted in to the peritoneum of wild type mice in presence and absence of estrogen. As compared to untreated controls, the implantation of uterine tissue at ectopic locations was higher when estrogen was administered to both host and donor animals. However, this effect was not sustained as lesions regressed within 14 days of treatment. Irrespective of the treatment, peritoneal adipose was the most preferred site of lesion establishment. The lesions did not have typical features of the endometriosis (presence of glands and stroma) even after estrogen treatment and the ectopic tissue underwent regression by apoptosis irrespective of treatment. Since estrogen promotes implantation of endometrial tissue to ectopic locations but failure of these ectopic lesions to grow and sustain even in high estrogenic environment we propose that estrogen is necessary but not sufficient to sustain endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosami Galvankar
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai 400 012, India
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25
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Khan Z, Zheng Y, Jones TL, Delaney AA, Correa LF, Shenoy CC, Khazaie K, Daftary GS. Epigenetic Therapy: Novel Translational Implications for Arrest of Environmental Dioxin-Induced Disease in Females. Endocrinology 2018; 159:477-489. [PMID: 29165700 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Increased toxicant exposure and resultant environmentally induced diseases are a tradeoff of industrial productivity. Dioxin [2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)], a ubiquitous byproduct, is associated with a spectrum of diseases including endometriosis, a common, chronic disease in women. TCDD activates cytochrome (CYP) p450 metabolic enzymes that alter organ function to cause disease. In contrast, the transcription factor, Krüppel-like factor (KLF) 11, represses these enzymes via epigenetic mechanisms. In this study, we characterized these opposing mechanisms in vitro and in vivo as well as determining potential translational implications of epigenetic inhibitor therapy. KLF11 antagonized TCDD-mediated activation of CYP3A4 gene expression and function in endometrial cells. The repression was pharmacologically replicated by selective use of an epigenetic histone acetyltransferase inhibitor (HATI). We further showed phenotypic relevance of this mechanism using an animal model for endometriosis. Fibrotic extent in TCDD-exposed wild-type animals was similar to that previously observed in Klf11-/- animals. When TCDD-exposed animals were treated with a HATI, Cyp3 messenger RNA levels and protein expression decreased along with disease progression. Fibrotic progression is ubiquitous in environmentally induced chronic, untreatable diseases; this report shows that relentless disease progression can be arrested through targeted epigenetic modulation of protective mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaraq Khan
- Laboratory of Translational Epigenetics in Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ye Zheng
- Laboratory of Translational Epigenetics in Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Tiffanny L Jones
- Laboratory of Translational Epigenetics in Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Abigail A Delaney
- Laboratory of Translational Epigenetics in Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Luiz F Correa
- Laboratory of Translational Epigenetics in Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Chandra C Shenoy
- Laboratory of Translational Epigenetics in Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Khashayarsha Khazaie
- Laboratory of Translational Epigenetics in Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gaurang S Daftary
- Laboratory of Translational Epigenetics in Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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26
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Shenoy CC, Khan Z, Zheng Y, Jones TL, Khazaie K, Daftary GS. Progressive Fibrosis: A Progesterone- and KLF11-Mediated Sexually Dimorphic Female Response. Endocrinology 2017; 158:3605-3619. [PMID: 28938437 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Progressive scarring is ubiquitous postoperatively and in an array of chronic systemic diseases. Recent studies indicate that such scarring has a high female propensity; females are also almost exclusively affected by endometriosis, a common sex steroid-dependent fibrotic disease. Endometriosis-related fibrosis is regulated epigenetically through transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 11 (KLF11). In response to surgical induction of endometriosis, Klf11-/- female mice develop significant fibrosis in contrast to wild-type mice. We therefore hypothesized that female fibrotic predilection was mediated by differential sex steroid regulation of KLF11/collagen 1a1 signaling and investigated the fibrotic response in wild-type and Klf11-/- male and female animals using a sterile peritonitis model. Fibrosis selectively developed in Klf11-/- females. Fibrosis in these animals was almost completely abrogated by ovariectomy. Ovariectomized animals were selectively supplemented with estradiol, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), or dihydrotestosterone; fibrosis was only observed in mice exposed to MPA. Fibrosis therefore selectively developed in Klf11-/- female mice in response to physiological or pharmacological progesterone. The fibrotic response in these animals was also mitigated in response to antiprogestin therapy. Profibrotic gene expression was activated in a primary human peritoneal cell line in response to KLF11 short hairpin RNA and MPA but not estradiol. KLF11/collagen 1a1 signaling previously shown to be linked to fibrosis was thus selectively dysregulated in MPA-treated cells. Our in vivo and in vitro findings in an animal model and human cells, respectively, suggest that progressive fibrotic scarring is a sexually dimorphic response irrespective of etiology; moreover, it is responsive to novel, individualized therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra C Shenoy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Zaraq Khan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Ye Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Tiffanny L Jones
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | | | - Gaurang S Daftary
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
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27
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Tanaka Y, Mori T, Ito F, Koshiba A, Takaoka O, Kataoka H, Maeda E, Okimura H, Mori T, Kitawaki J. Exacerbation of Endometriosis Due To Regulatory T-Cell Dysfunction. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 102:3206-3217. [PMID: 28575420 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with altered immune response to endometrial cells facilitating the implantation and proliferation of ectopic endometrial tissues. Although regulatory T (Treg) cells play a key role in T cell-mediated immune response and development of immune disorders, their significance in endometriosis remains to be elucidated. Recently, CD4+CD45RA- forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)hi T cells, activated Treg cells, have been identified as a functionally true suppressive population of Treg cells. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of Treg cells in endometriosis. DESIGN Three Treg cell fractions (resting Treg cells, activated Treg cells, and non-Treg cells) were examined using flow cytometry in the endometrioma, endometrium, peritoneal fluid, and peripheral blood obtained from women with (n = 27) and without (n = 28) endometriosis. A mouse model of endometriosis was made in Foxp3tm3Ayr/J (Foxp3DTR) C57BL/6 Treg cell-depleted mice (n = 28). RESULTS In women with endometrioma, the proportion of activated Treg cells in the endometrioma and the endometrium, but not in the peritoneal fluid or peripheral blood, was significantly decreased compared with that in women without endometriosis. In Foxp3DTR/diphtheria toxin mice, the number and weight of endometriotic lesions, inflammatory cytokine levels and angiogenetic factors were significantly increased compared with those in control mice. CONCLUSIONS Treg cell deficiency exaggerates local inflammation and angiogenesis and simultaneously facilitates the attachment and growth of endometrial implants. The findings provide an insight into dysregulated immune response for the pathogenesis and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Taisuke Mori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Fumitake Ito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Akemi Koshiba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Osamu Takaoka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hisashi Kataoka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Eiko Maeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Okimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Takahide Mori
- Academia for Repro-regenerative Medicine, Kyoto 602-0917, Japan
| | - Jo Kitawaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
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28
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Prodromidou A, Pergialiotis V, Pavlakis K, Korou LM, Frountzas M, Dimitroulis D, Vaos G, Perrea DN. A Novel Experimental Model of Colorectal Endometriosis. J INVEST SURG 2017; 31:275-281. [DOI: 10.1080/08941939.2017.1317374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Prodromidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios Pergialiotis
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Kitty Pavlakis
- Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Laskarina Maria Korou
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maximos Frountzas
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Dimitroulis
- Second Department of Surgery, Laiko Univesity Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Vaos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, “ATTIKON” University General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Despina N. Perrea
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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29
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Greaves E, Critchley HOD, Horne AW, Saunders PTK. Relevant human tissue resources and laboratory models for use in endometriosis research. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2017; 96:644-658. [PMID: 28233896 PMCID: PMC5485163 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of endometrium‐like tissue outside the uterus, most commonly on the pelvic peritoneum and ovaries. Although it may be asymptomatic in some women, in others it can cause debilitating pain, infertility or other symptoms including fatigue. Current research is directed both at understanding the complex etiology and pathophysiology of the disorder and at the development of new nonsurgical approaches to therapy that lack the unwanted side effects of current medical management. Tools for endometriosis research fall into two broad categories; patient‐derived tissues, and fluids (and cells isolated from these sources) or models based on the use of cells or animals. In this review, we discuss the literature that has reported data from the use of these tools in endometriosis research and we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each. Although many different models are reported in the literature, hypothesis‐driven research will only be facilitated with careful experimental design and selection of the most appropriate human tissue from patients with and without endometriosis and combinations of physiologically relevant in vitro and in vivo laboratory models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Greaves
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hilary O D Critchley
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew W Horne
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Philippa T K Saunders
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
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30
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Greene AD, Lang SA, Kendziorski JA, Sroga-Rios JM, Herzog TJ, Burns KA. Endometriosis: where are we and where are we going? Reproduction 2016; 152:R63-78. [PMID: 27165051 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis currently affects ~5.5 million reproductive-aged women in the U.S. with symptoms such as painful periods (dysmenorrhea), chronic pelvic pain, pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), and infertility. It is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and is found predominately attached to sites within the peritoneal cavity. Diagnosis for endometriosis is solely made through surgery as no consistent biomarkers for disease diagnosis exist. There is no cure for endometriosis and treatments only target symptoms and not the underlying mechanism(s) of disease. The nature of individual predisposing factors or inherent defects in the endometrium, immune system, and/or peritoneal cavity of women with endometriosis remains unclear. The literature over the last 5 years (2010-2015) has advanced our critical knowledge related to hormones, hormone receptors, immune dysregulation, hormonal treatments, and the transformation of endometriosis to ovarian cancer. In this review, we cover the aforementioned topics with the goal of providing the reader an overview and related references for further study to highlight the progress made in endometriosis research, while concluding with critical areas of endometriosis research that are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis D Greene
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Cincinnati Center for Reproductive Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephanie A Lang
- Department of Environmental HealthUniversity of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jessica A Kendziorski
- Department of Environmental HealthUniversity of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Julie M Sroga-Rios
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Cincinnati Center for Reproductive Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Thomas J Herzog
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Cincinnati Center for Reproductive Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA University of Cincinnati Cancer InstituteUniversity of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine A Burns
- Department of Environmental HealthUniversity of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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King CM, Barbara C, Prentice A, Brenton JD, Charnock-Jones DS. Models of endometriosis and their utility in studying progression to ovarian clear cell carcinoma. J Pathol 2016; 238:185-96. [PMID: 26456077 PMCID: PMC4855629 DOI: 10.1002/path.4657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common benign gynaecological condition affecting at least 10% of women of childbearing age and is characterized by pain--frequently debilitating. Although the exact prevalence is unknown, the economic burden is substantial (∼$50 billion a year in the USA alone) and it is associated with considerable morbidity. The development of endometriosis is inextricably linked to the process of menstruation and thus the models that best recapitulate the human disease are in menstruating non-human primates. However, the use of these animals is ethically challenging and very expensive. A variety of models in laboratory animals have been developed and the most recent are based on generating menstrual-like endometrial tissue that can be transferred to a recipient animal. These models are genetically manipulable and facilitate precise mechanistic studies. In addition, these models can be used to study malignant transformation in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Epidemiological and molecular evidence indicates that endometriosis is the most plausible precursor of both clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancer (OCCA and OEA, respectively). While this progression is rare, understanding the underlying mechanisms of transformation may offer new strategies for prevention and therapy. Our ability to pursue this is highly dependent on improved animal models but the current transgenic models, which genetically modify the ovarian surface epithelium and oviduct, are poor models of ectopic endometrial tissue. In this review we describe the various models of endometriosis and discuss how they may be applicable to developing our mechanistic understanding of OCCA and OEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M King
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cynthia Barbara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Prentice
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - James D Brenton
- Functional Genomics of Ovarian Cancer Laboratory, CR-UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, UK.,National Institute for Health Research, Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - D Stephen Charnock-Jones
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, UK.,National Institute for Health Research, Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
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Zheng Y, Khan Z, Zanfagnin V, Correa LF, Delaney AA, Daftary GS. Epigenetic Modulation of Collagen 1A1: Therapeutic Implications in Fibrosis and Endometriosis1. Biol Reprod 2016; 94:87. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.138115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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Han SJ, Begum K, Foulds CE, Hamilton RA, Bailey S, Malovannaya A, Chan D, Qin J, O'Malley BW. The Dual Estrogen Receptor α Inhibitory Effects of the Tissue-Selective Estrogen Complex for Endometrial and Breast Safety. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 89:14-26. [PMID: 26487511 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.100925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The conjugated estrogen /: bazedoxifene tissue-selective estrogen complex (TSEC) is designed to minimize the undesirable effects of estrogen in the uterus and breast tissues and to allow the beneficial effects of estrogen in other estrogen-target tissues, such as the bone and brain. However, the molecular mechanism underlying endometrial and breast safety during TSEC use is not fully understood. Estrogen receptor α (ERα)-estrogen response element (ERE)-DNA pull-down assays using HeLa nuclear extracts followed by mass spectrometry-immunoblotting analyses revealed that, upon TSEC treatment, ERα interacted with transcriptional repressors rather than coactivators. Therefore, the TSEC-mediated recruitment of transcriptional repressors suppresses ERα-mediated transcription in the breast and uterus. In addition, TSEC treatment also degraded ERα protein in uterine tissue and breast cancer cells, but not in bone cells. Interestingly, ERα-ERE-DNA pull-down assays also revealed that, upon TSEC treatment, ERα interacted with the F-box protein 45 (FBXO45) E3 ubiquitin ligase. The loss-of- and gain-of-FBXO45 function analyses indicated that FBXO45 is involved in TSEC-mediated degradation of the ERα protein in endometrial and breast cells. In preclinical studies, these synergistic effects of TSEC on ERα inhibition also suppressed the estrogen-dependent progression of endometriosis. Therefore, the endometrial and breast safety effects of TSEC are associated with synergy between the selective recruitment of transcriptional repressors to ERα and FBXO45-mediated degradation of the ERα protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Khurshida Begum
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Charles E Foulds
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Ross A Hamilton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Suzanna Bailey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Anna Malovannaya
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Doug Chan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jun Qin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Bert W O'Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (S.J.H., K.B., C.E.F., R.A.H, S.B., A.M., D.C., J.Q., B.W.O.), And Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (A.M., D.C., J.Q.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Abstract
The initiation of endometriosis in women is difficult to investigate, because there is usually a delay of several years from the onset of lesion development to the clinical diagnosis. Animal models of endometriosis, on the other hand, provide an important contribution to the investigation of the disease pathogenesis and the efficacy of therapeutic intervention strategies.
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Cohen J, Naoura I, Castela M, Von N’Guyen T, Oster M, Fontaine R, Chabbert-Buffet N, Darai E, Aractingi S. Pregnancy affects morphology of induced endometriotic lesions in a mouse model through alteration of proliferation and angiogenesis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2014; 183:70-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Revised: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Kumar R, Clerc AC, Gori I, Russell R, Pellegrini C, Govender L, Wyss JC, Golshayan D, Canny GO. Lipoxin A₄ prevents the progression of de novo and established endometriosis in a mouse model by attenuating prostaglandin E₂ production and estrogen signaling. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89742. [PMID: 24587003 PMCID: PMC3933674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis, a leading cause of pelvic pain and infertility, is characterized by ectopic growth of endometrial-like tissue and affects approximately 176 million women worldwide. The pathophysiology involves inflammatory and angiogenic mediators as well as estrogen-mediated signaling and novel, improved therapeutics targeting these pathways are necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms leading to the establishment and progression of endometriosis as well as the effect of local treatment with Lipoxin A4 (LXA4), an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediator that we have recently characterized as an estrogen receptor agonist. LXA4 treatment significantly reduced endometriotic lesion size and downregulated the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, as well as the angiogenic factor VEGF. LXA4 also inhibited COX-2 expression in both endometriotic lesions and peritoneal fluid cells, resulting in attenuated peritoneal fluid Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. Besides its anti-inflammatory effects, LXA4 differentially regulated the expression and activity of the matrix remodeling enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 as well as modulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isoform expression within endometriotic lesions and in peritoneal fluid cells. We also report for first time that LXA4 attenuated aromatase expression, estrogen signaling and estrogen-regulated genes implicated in cellular proliferation in a mouse model of disease. These effects were observed both when LXA4 was administered prior to disease induction and during established disease. Collectively, our findings highlight potential targets for the treatment of endometriosis and suggest a pleotropic effect of LXA4 on disease progression, by attenuating pro-inflammatory and angiogenic mediators, matrix remodeling enzymes, estrogen metabolism and signaling, as well as downstream proliferative pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar
- Mucosal Immunity Laboratory, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Medical Genetics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Transplantation Centre and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Catherine Clerc
- Mucosal Immunity Laboratory, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Medical Genetics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ilaria Gori
- Mucosal Immunity Laboratory, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Medical Genetics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ronan Russell
- Mucosal Immunity Laboratory, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Medical Genetics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Pellegrini
- Mucosal Immunity Laboratory, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Medical Genetics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lerisa Govender
- Transplantation Centre and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Christophe Wyss
- Transplantation Centre and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dela Golshayan
- Transplantation Centre and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (GC); (DG)
| | - Geraldine O. Canny
- Mucosal Immunity Laboratory, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Medical Genetics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (GC); (DG)
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37
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A novel role of the Sp/KLF transcription factor KLF11 in arresting progression of endometriosis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60165. [PMID: 23555910 PMCID: PMC3610699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of young, reproductive-aged women. Disease associated pelvic pain; infertility and sexual dysfunction have a significant adverse clinical, social and financial impact. As precise disease etiology has remained elusive, current therapeutic strategies are empiric, unfocused and often unsatisfactory. Lack of a suitable genetic model has impaired further translational research in the field. In this study, we evaluated the role of the Sp/KLF transcription factor KLF11/Klf11 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. KLF11, a human disease-associated gene is etiologically implicated in diabetes, uterine fibroids and cancer. We found that KLF11 expression was diminished in human endometriosis implants and further investigated its pathogenic role in Klf11-/- knockout mice with surgically induced endometriotic lesions. Lesions in Klf11-/- animals were large and associated with prolific fibrotic adhesions resembling advanced human disease in contrast to wildtype controls. To determine phenotype-specificity, endometriosis was also generated in Klf9-/- animals. Unlike in Klf11-/- mice, lesions in Klf9-/- animals were neither large, nor associated with a significant fibrotic response. KLF11 also bound to specific elements located in the promoter regions of key fibrosis-related genes from the Collagen, MMP and TGF-β families in endometrial stromal cells. KLF11 binding resulted in transcriptional repression of these genes. In summary, we identify a novel pathogenic role for KLF11 in preventing de novo disease-associated fibrosis in endometriosis. Our model validates in vivo the phenotypic consequences of dysregulated Klf11 signaling. Additionally, it provides a robust means not only for further detailed mechanistic investigation but also the ability to test any emergent translational ramifications thereof, so as to expand the scope and capability for treatment of endometriosis.
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Stilley JAW, Birt JA, Sharpe-Timms KL. Cellular and molecular basis for endometriosis-associated infertility. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 349:849-62. [PMID: 22298022 PMCID: PMC3429772 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-011-1309-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a gynecological disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glandular epithelial and stromal cells growing in the extra-uterine environment. The disease afflicts 10%–15% of menstruating women causing debilitating pain and infertility. Endometriosis appears to affect every part of a woman’s reproductive system including ovarian function, oocyte quality, embryo development and implantation, uterine function and the endocrine system choreographing the reproductive process and results in infertility or spontaneous pregnancy loss. Current treatments are laden with menopausal-like side effects and many cause cessation or chemical alteration of the reproductive cycle, neither of which is conducive to achieving a pregnancy. However, despite the prevalence, physical and psychological tolls and health care costs, a cure for endometriosis has not yet been found. We hypothesize that endometriosis causes infertility via multifaceted mechanisms that are intricately interwoven thereby contributing to our lack of understanding of this disease process. Identifying and understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for endometriosis-associated infertility might help unravel the confounding multiplicities of infertility and provide insights into novel therapeutic approaches and potentially curative treatments for endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A W Stilley
- Division of Reproductive and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, 65212, USA
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Santamaria X, Massasa EE, Taylor HS. Migration of cells from experimental endometriosis to the uterine endometrium. Endocrinology 2012; 153:5566-74. [PMID: 22968642 PMCID: PMC3473215 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is the estrogen-dependent growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Endometriosis has an effect on the eutopic endometrium; however, the nature of the cellular or molecular signal from the lesion to the uterus is unknown. Here we demonstrate that cells migrate from endometriosis to eutopic endometrium. Experimental endometriosis was established by transplanting endometrial tissue from green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice to the peritoneal cavity of DS-Red mice. Immunofluorescence (IF) identified cells from the ectopic lesions in the uterus. The eutopic endometrial cells were sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorting, and the GFP(+)/DS-Red(-) population was characterized using microarray analysis. The results of cell sorting as well as the array results were confirmed by quantitative PCR and IF. GFP(+)/DS-red(-)/Cd45(-) cells were identified in the eutopic endometrium of mice with experimental endometriois (∼1.8%) and not in controls. Global gene expression profiling of these cells showed absence of leukocyte and increased expression of pan-epithelial markers in the uterine GFP(+) cells. Moreover, GFP(+) cells showed up-regulation of Wnt7A expression and 17 other genes associated with the Wingless pathway. Several genes that are associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition were also highly differentially expressed in GFP(+) cells. IF confirmed the presence of the GFP(+)/CD45(-)/Wnt7a(+)/cytokeritin(+) cells in the endometrium of endometriotic animals, and not in controls. Cells from endometriotic lesions are capable of migrating to the eutopic endometrium. The ectopic expression of Wnt7A suggests a possible mechanism by which ectopic lesions affect the eutopic endometrium and interfere with embryo implantation and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Santamaria
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
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Han SJ, Hawkins SM, Begum K, Jung SY, Kovanci E, Qin J, Lydon JP, DeMayo FJ, O'Malley BW. A new isoform of steroid receptor coactivator-1 is crucial for pathogenic progression of endometriosis. Nat Med 2012; 18:1102-11. [PMID: 22660634 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is considered to be an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease, but its etiology is unclear. Thus far, a mechanistic role for steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) in the progression of endometriosis has not been elucidated. An SRC-1-null mouse model reveals that the mouse SRC-1 gene has an essential role in endometriosis progression. Notably, a previously unidentified 70-kDa SRC-1 proteolytic isoform is highly elevated both in the endometriotic tissue of mice with surgically induced endometriosis and in endometriotic stromal cells biopsied from patients with endometriosis compared to normal endometrium. Tnf⁻/⁻ and Mmp9⁻/⁻ mice with surgically induced endometriosis showed that activation of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α)-induced matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) activity mediates formation of the 70-kDa SRC-1 C-terminal isoform in endometriotic mouse tissue. In contrast to full-length SRC-1, the endometriotic 70-kDa SRC-1 C-terminal fragment prevents TNF-α-mediated apoptosis in human endometrial epithelial cells and causes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the invasion of human endometrial cells that are hallmarks of progressive endometriosis. Collectively, the newly identified TNF-α-MMP9-SRC-1 isoform functional axis promotes pathogenic progression of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Guo SW, Zheng Y, Lu Y, Liu X, Geng JG. Slit2 overexpression results in increased microvessel density and lesion size in mice with induced endometriosis. Reprod Sci 2012; 20:285-98. [PMID: 22875847 DOI: 10.1177/1933719112452940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported that Slit/Roundabout (ROBO) 1 pathway may be a constituent biomarker for recurrence of endometriosis, likely through promoting angiogenesis. In this study, we sought to determine as whether Slit2 overexpression can facilitate angiogenesis, increase lesion size, and induce hyperalgesia in mice with induced endometriosis. We used 30 Slit2 transgenic (S) and 29 wild-type (W) mice and cross-transplanted endometrial fragments from S to W (group SW) and vice versa (group WS), and also within the S and W (groups SS and WW, respectively), into the peritoneal cavity, inducing endometriosis. We also performed a sham surgery within both S and W mice (groups Sm and Wm, respectively). The size of the ectopic implants, microvessel density (MVD) and immunoreactivity to ROBO1, and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) in ectopic and eutopic endometrium, along with hotplate and tail-flick tests in all mice, were then evaluated. We found that the induction of endometriosis resulted in generalized hyperalgesia, which was unaffected by Slit2 overexpression. Slit2 overexpression did increase the lesion size significantly and correlated positively with the MVD in ectopic and eutopic endometrium. Slit2 expression levels appear to correlate with the MVD, but not with VEGF immunoreactivity, in ectopic endometrium. Consequently, we conclude that Slit2 may play an important role in angiogenesis in endometriosis. The increased angiogenesis, as measured by MVD, but not VEGF immunoreactivity, likely resulted in increased lesion size in induced endometriosis. Thus, SLIT2/ROBO1 pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for treating endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Yamanaka A, Kimura F, Takebayashi A, Kita N, Takahashi K, Murakami T. Primate model research for endometriosis. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2012; 226:95-9. [PMID: 22245765 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.226.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is defined as the existence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, and it includes a chronic, inflammatory reaction associated with female infertility and pelvic pain. Endometriosis occurs in 7 to 10% of women. Although it has been studied for more than 50 years, the pathogenesis and development of endometriosis are still poorly understood. There is no curative therapy for endometriosis, which often recurs after surgical or medical treatment. There is a consensus that the adverse current of menstrual blood plays a crucial role in the development of endometriosis. This places a major limitation on research using rodent models of endometriosis, although these are still widely employed, because rodents do not menstruate and endometriosis does not occur spontaneously in these animals. In fact, menstruation and spontaneous endometriosis only occur in women and some non-human primates, making models that employ non-human primates the best animal models for research into the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, spontaneous onset, and treatment of endometriosis. This review assesses the effectiveness and potential of the non-human primate models of endometriosis. It also describes the current findings and theories on the pathogenesis of endometriosis that have been obtained by research using non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiyoshi Yamanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan.
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Wieser F, Wu J, Shen Z, Taylor RN, Sidell N. Retinoic acid suppresses growth of lesions, inhibits peritoneal cytokine secretion, and promotes macrophage differentiation in an immunocompetent mouse model of endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2012; 97:1430-7. [PMID: 22464761 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Revised: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) on establishment and growth of endometrial lesions, peritoneal interleukin-6 (IL-6) and macrophage chemotactic factor-1 (MCP-1) concentrations, and CD38, CD11b, and F4/80 expression on peritoneal macrophages in an immunocompetent mouse model of endometriosis. DESIGN Experimental transplantation study using mice. SETTING Academic medical center. ANIMAL(S) C57BL/6 recipient mice and syngeneic green fluorescent protein transgenic (GFP+) mice. INTERVENTION(S) Recipient mice were inoculated with GFP+ minced uterine tissue to induce endometriosis and treated with RA (400 nmol/day) or vehicle for 17 days (3 days before to 14 days after tissue injection). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Total number of GFP+ implants in recipient mice, number of implants showing visible blood vessels, total volume of established lesions per mouse, concentrations of IL-6 and MCP-1 in peritoneal fluid, and expression of CD11b, F4/80, and CD38 on peritoneal macrophages. RESULT(S) Retinoic acid treatment for 17 days reduced the number of implants versus controls and decreased the frequency of lesions with vessels. Peritoneal washings in RA-treated animals had lower concentrations of IL-6 and MCP-1 than controls 3 days after endometrial inoculation and lower levels of IL-6 on day 14 after inoculation. Concomitant with these effects on day 14, CD38, CD11b, and F4/80 were higher on macrophages from RA-treated mice versus controls. CONCLUSION(S) The development of endometriotic implants is inhibited by RA. This effect may be caused, at least in part, by reduced IL-6 and MCP-1 production and enhanced differentiation of peritoneal macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Wieser
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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Pelch KE, Sharpe-Timms KL, Nagel SC. Mouse model of surgically-induced endometriosis by auto-transplantation of uterine tissue. J Vis Exp 2012:e3396. [PMID: 22257948 DOI: 10.3791/3396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic, painful disease whose etiology remains unknown. Furthermore, treatment of endometriosis can require laparoscopic removal of lesions, and/or chronic pharmaceutical management of pain and infertility symptoms. The cost associated with endometriosis has been estimated at 22 billion dollars per year in the United States. To further our understanding of mechanisms underlying this enigmatic disease, animal models have been employed. Primates spontaneously develop endometriosis and therefore primate models most closely resemble the disease in women. Rodent models, however, are more cost effective and readily available. The model that we describe here involves an autologous transfer of uterine tissue to the intestinal mesentery (Figure 1) and was first developed in the rat and later transferred to the mouse. The goal of the autologous rodent model of surgically-induced endometriosis is to mimic the disease in women. We and others have previously shown that the altered gene expression pattern observed in endometriotic lesions from mice or rats mirrors that observed in women with the disease. One advantage of performing the surgery in the mouse is that the abundance of transgenic mouse strains available can aid researchers in determining the role of specific components important in the establishment and growth of endometriosis. An alternative model in which excised human endometrial fragments are introduced to the peritoneum of immunocompromised mice is also widely used but is limited by the lack of a normal immune system which is thought to be important in endometriosis. Importantly, the mouse model of surgically induced endometriosis is a versatile model that has been used to study how the immune system, hormones and environmental factors affect endometriosis as well as the effects of endometriosis on fertility and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Pelch
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health and Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, USA
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Shinohara A, Kutsukake M, Takahashi M, Kyo S, Tachikawa E, Tamura K. Protease-Activated Receptor–Stimulated Interleukin-6 Expression in Endometriosis-Like Lesions in an Experimental Mouse Model of Endometriosis. J Pharmacol Sci 2012; 119:40-51. [DOI: 10.1254/jphs.11216fp] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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Daftary GS, Lomberk GA, Buttar NS, Allen TW, Grzenda A, Zhang J, Zheng Y, Mathison AJ, Gada RP, Calvo E, Iovanna JL, Billadeau DD, Prendergast FG, Urrutia R. Detailed structural-functional analysis of the Krüppel-like factor 16 (KLF16) transcription factor reveals novel mechanisms for silencing Sp/KLF sites involved in metabolism and endocrinology. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:7010-25. [PMID: 22203677 PMCID: PMC3293586 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.266007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor (KLF) proteins have elicited significant attention due to their emerging key role in metabolic and endocrine diseases. Here, we extend this knowledge through the biochemical characterization of KLF16, unveiling novel mechanisms regulating expression of genes involved in reproductive endocrinology. We found that KLF16 selectively binds three distinct KLF-binding sites (GC, CA, and BTE boxes). KLF16 also regulated the expression of several genes essential for metabolic and endocrine processes in sex steroid-sensitive uterine cells. Mechanistically, we determined that KLF16 possesses an activation domain that couples to histone acetyltransferase-mediated pathways, as well as a repression domain that interacts with the histone deacetylase chromatin-remodeling system via all three Sin3 isoforms, suggesting a higher level of plasticity in chromatin cofactor selection. Molecular modeling combined with molecular dynamic simulations of the Sin3a-KLF16 complex revealed important insights into how this interaction occurs at an atomic resolution level, predicting that phosphorylation of Tyr-10 may modulate KLF16 function. Phosphorylation of KLF16 was confirmed by in vivo32P incorporation and controlled by a Y10F site-directed mutant. Inhibition of Src-type tyrosine kinase signaling as well as the nonphosphorylatable Y10F mutation disrupted KLF16-mediated gene silencing, demonstrating that its function is regulatable rather than constitutive. Subcellular localization studies revealed that signal-induced nuclear translocation and euchromatic compartmentalization constitute an additional mechanism for regulating KLF16 function. Thus, this study lends insights on key biochemical mechanisms for regulating KLF sites involved in reproductive biology. These data also contribute to the new functional information that is applicable to understanding KLF16 and other highly related KLF proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurang S Daftary
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
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Becker CM, Beaudry P, Funakoshi T, Benny O, Zaslavsky A, Zurakowski D, Folkman J, D'Amato RJ, Ryeom S. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells are up-regulated in a mouse model of endometriosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 178:1782-91. [PMID: 21435458 PMCID: PMC3070089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2010.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2010] [Revised: 12/20/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a debilitating disease characterized by the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue. It is widely accepted that angiogenesis plays an integral part in the establishment and growth of endometriotic lesions. Recent data from a variety of angiogenesis-dependent diseases suggest a critical role of bone marrow–derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in neovascularization. In this study we examined the blood levels of EPCs and mature circulating endothelial cells in a mouse model of surgically induced endometriosis. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis revealed elevated levels of EPCs in the blood of mice with endometriosis compared with control subject that underwent a sham operation. EPC concentrations positively correlated with the amount of endometriotic tissue and peaked 1 to 4 days after induction of disease. In a green fluorescent protein bone marrow transplant experiment we found green fluorescent protein–positive endothelial cells incorporated into endometriotic lesions but not eutopic endometrium, as revealed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Finally, treatment of endometriosis-bearing mice with the angiogenesis inhibitor Lodamin, an oral nontoxic formulation of TNP-470, significantly decreased EPC levels while suppressing lesion growth. Taken together, our data indicate an important role for bone marrow–derived endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and support the potential clinical use of anti-angiogenic therapy as a novel treatment modality for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Becker
- Vascular Biology Program, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Endometriosis research: animal models for the study of a complex disease. J Reprod Immunol 2010; 86:141-7. [PMID: 20594597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2010.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2009] [Revised: 05/20/2010] [Accepted: 05/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease that is characterized and defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, causing painful periods and subfertility in approximately 10% of women. After more than 50 years of research, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the development and establishment of this condition. Animal models allow us to study the temporal sequence of events involved in disease establishment and progression. Also, because this disease occurs spontaneously only in humans and non-human primates and there are practical problems associated with studying the disease, animal models have been developed for the evaluation of endometriosis. This review describes the animal models for endometriosis that have been used to date, highlighting their importance for the investigation of disease mechanisms that would otherwise be more difficult to elucidate, and proposing new alternatives aimed at overcoming some of these limitations.
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Pelch KE, Schroder AL, Kimball PA, Sharpe-Timms KL, Davis JW, Nagel SC. Aberrant gene expression profile in a mouse model of endometriosis mirrors that observed in women. Fertil Steril 2010; 93:1615-1627.e18. [PMID: 19473656 PMCID: PMC2904074 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.03.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2009] [Revised: 03/20/2009] [Accepted: 03/24/2009] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To define the altered gene expression profile of endometriotic lesions in a mouse model of surgically induced endometriosis. DESIGN Autologous experimental mouse model. SETTING Medical school department. ANIMAL(S) Adult C57Bl6 mice. INTERVENTION(S) Endometriosis was surgically induced by autotransplantation of uterine tissue to the intestinal mesentery. Endometriotic lesions and eutopic uteri were recovered at 3 or 29 days after induction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Altered gene expression was measured in the endometriotic lesion relative to the eutopic uterus by genome-wide complementary DNA microarray analysis and was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for six genes. Relevant categories of altered genes were identified using gene ontology analysis to determine groups of genes enriched for altered expression. RESULT(S) The expression of 479 and 114 genes was altered in the endometriotic lesion compared with the eutopic uterus at 3 or 29 days after induction, respectively. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that genes associated with the extracellular matrix, cell adhesions, immune function, cell growth, and angiogenesis were altered in the endometriotic lesion compared with the eutopic uterus. CONCLUSION(S) According to gene expression analysis, the mouse model of surgically induced endometriosis is a good model for studying the pathophysiology and treatment of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Pelch
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201
| | - Amy L. Schroder
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201
| | - Paul A. Kimball
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201
| | - Kathy L. Sharpe-Timms
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201
| | - J. W. Davis
- Department of Health Management and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201
- Department of Statistics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201
| | - Susan C. Nagel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201
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Yesildaglar N, Yildirim G, Attar R, Karateke A, Ficicioglu C, Yilmaz B. Exposure to industrially polluted water resulted in regressed endometriotic lesions and enhanced adhesion formation in a rat endometriosis model: a preliminary study. Fertil Steril 2010; 93:1722-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2009] [Revised: 09/01/2009] [Accepted: 09/07/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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