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Huang Y, Pan W, Ma J. SKP2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of KLF11 promotes osteoarthritis via modulation of JMJD3/NOTCH1 pathway. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23640. [PMID: 38690715 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300664rr] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the main cause of cartilage damage and disability. This study explored the biological function of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) and Kruppel-like factor 11 (KLF11) in OA progression and its underlying mechanisms. C28/I2 chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β to mimic OA in vitro. We found that SKP2, Jumonji domain-containing protein D3 (JMJD3), and Notch receptor 1 (NOTCH1) were upregulated, while KLF11 was downregulated in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes. SKP2/JMJD3 silencing or KLF11 overexpression repressed apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in chondrocytes. Mechanistically, SKP2 triggered the ubiquitination and degradation of KLF11 to transcriptionally activate JMJD3, which resulted in activation of NOTCH1 through inhibiting H3K27me3. What's more, the in vivo study found that KLF11 overexpression delayed OA development in rats via restraining apoptosis and maintaining the balance of ECM metabolism. Taken together, ubiquitination and degradation of KLF11 regulated by SKP2 contributed to OA progression by activation of JMJD3/NOTCH1 pathway. Our findings provide promising therapeutic targets for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanchi Huang
- Department of Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China
| | - Wenjie Pan
- Department of Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China
| | - Jianbing Ma
- Department of Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China
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Yuce K, Ozkan AI. The kruppel-like factor (KLF) family, diseases, and physiological events. Gene 2024; 895:148027. [PMID: 38000704 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.148027] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The Kruppel-Like Factor family of regulatory proteins, which has 18 members, is transcription factors. This family contains zinc finger proteins, regulates the activation and suppression of transcription, and binds to DNA, RNA, and proteins. Klfs related to the immune system are Klf1, Klf2, Klf3, Klf4, Klf6, and Klf14. Klfs related to adipose tissue development and/or glucose metabolism are Klf3, Klf7, Klf9, Klf10, Klf11, Klf14, Klf15, and Klf16. Klfs related to cancer are Klf3, Klf4, Klf5, Klf6, Klf7, Klf8, Klf9, Klf10, Klf11, Klf12, Klf13, Klf14, Klf16, and Klf17. Klfs related to the cardiovascular system are Klf4, Klf5, Klf10, Klf13, Klf14, and Klf15. Klfs related to the nervous system are Klf4, Klf7, Klf8, and Klf9. Klfs are associated with diseases such as carcinogenesis, oxidative stress, diabetes, liver fibrosis, thalassemia, and the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this review is to provide information about the relationship of Klfs with some diseases and physiological events and to guide future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemal Yuce
- Selcuk University, Medicine Faculty, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Physiology, Konya, Turkiye.
| | - Ahmet Ismail Ozkan
- Artvin Coruh University, Medicinal-Aromatic Plants Application and Research Center, Artvin, Turkiye.
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De Lorenzo SB, Vrieze AM, Johnson RA, Lien KR, Nath KA, Garovic VD, Khazaie K, Grande JP. KLF11 deficiency enhances chemokine generation and fibrosis in murine unilateral ureteral obstruction. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266454. [PMID: 35413089 PMCID: PMC9004740 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Progression of virtually all forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with activation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic signaling pathways. Despite extensive research, progress in identifying therapeutic targets to arrest or slow progression of CKD has been limited by incomplete understanding of basic mechanisms underlying renal inflammation and fibrosis in CKD. Recent studies have identified Kruppel-like transcription factors that have been shown to play critical roles in renal development, homeostasis, and response to injury. Although KLF11 deficiency has been shown to increase collagen production in vitro and tissue fibrosis in other organs, no previous study has linked KLF11 to the development of CKD. We sought to test the hypothesis that KLF11 deficiency promotes CKD through upregulation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic signaling pathways in murine unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), a well-established model of renal fibrosis. We found that KLF11-deficiency exacerbates renal injury in the UUO model through activation of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway and through activation of several pro-inflammatory chemokine signaling pathways. Based on these considerations, we conclude that agents increase KLF11 expression may provide novel therapeutic targets to slow the progression of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana B. De Lorenzo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Alyssa M. Vrieze
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Ruth A. Johnson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Karen R. Lien
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Karl A. Nath
- Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Vesna D. Garovic
- Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Khashayarsha Khazaie
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Joseph P. Grande
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Yan T, Wang X, Wei G, Li H, Hao L, Liu Y, Yu X, Zhu W, Liu P, Zhu Y, Zhou X. Exosomal miR-10b-5p mediates cell communication of gastric cancer cells and fibroblasts and facilitates cell proliferation. J Cancer 2021; 12:2140-2150. [PMID: 33754012 PMCID: PMC7974515 DOI: 10.7150/jca.47817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment interacts with gastric cancer (GC) cells and affects tumor development. The communication between GC cells and fibroblasts has not been clearly studied and understood. MiR-10b-5p was found highly expressed in tissue and serum samples of patients with advanced stages (stage III+IV) than that in early stage patients (stage I+II). The expression determination of serum exosomal microRNA was also shown with high expression of miR-10b-5p in GC patients with advanced stages. Dual-luciferase activity assays indicated that miR-10b-5p targeted PTEN in GC cells and KLF11 in fibroblasts. The silence of miR-10b-5p up-regulated the expression of PTEN and repressed PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 signaling in GC cells. Clonogenic assay and MTT assay demonstrated that miR-10b-5p inhibitor could significantly reduce the colony formation and cell viability of GC cells. And the incubation of exosomal miR-10b-5p could increase the proliferation of GC cells. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed that high expression of α-SMA was detected in GC tissues with advanced stages. The overexpression of miR-10b-5p down-regulated KLF11 expression and elevated TGFβR1 expression in fibroblasts. In addition, miR-10b-5p inhibitor blocked the secretion of TGFβ1 in GC cells and the directional migration of fibroblasts. Therefore, up-regulated exosomal miR-10b-5p is involved in the interaction of GC cells and fibroblasts in tumor microenvironment via participating in the regulation of TGFβ signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yan
- Safety Assessment and Research Center for Drug, Pesticide and Veterinary Drug of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiaping Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Guohua Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Hai Li
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Leiyu Hao
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xinqian Yu
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yichao Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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5
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Chen X, Shi W, Zhang H. The role of KLF14 in multiple disease processes. Biofactors 2020; 46:276-282. [PMID: 31925990 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Kruppel-like factor 14 (KLF14) is a newly identified member of the KLF family. Expression of KLF14 is induced by TGF-β in intrauterine and ectodermal tissue. Initial researches on KLF14 focused on its role in lipid and glucose metabolism. In recent years, however, the role of KLF14 in regulating cell signaling pathways, cell proliferation and differentiation has been explored. Moreover, the research has gradually extended into the field of tumorigenesis and immune regulation. This paper aims to briefly review the functions of KLF14 in physiologyical and pathological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjie Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Yan Q, He B, Hao G, Liu Z, Tang J, Fu Q, Jiang C. KLF9 aggravates ischemic injury in cardiomyocytes through augmenting oxidative stress. Life Sci 2019; 233:116641. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Patel SK, Velkoska E, Gayed D, Ramchand J, Lesmana J, Burrell LM. Left ventricular hypertrophy in experimental chronic kidney disease is associated with reduced expression of cardiac Kruppel-like factor 15. BMC Nephrol 2018; 19:159. [PMID: 29970016 PMCID: PMC6029153 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-018-0955-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) increases the risk of death in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) is expressed in the heart and regulates cardiac remodelling through inhibition of hypertrophy and fibrosis. It is unknown if KLF15 expression is changed in CKD induced LVH, or whether expression is modulated by blood pressure reduction using angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Methods CKD was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats by subtotal nephrectomy (STNx), and rats received vehicle (n = 10) or ACE inhibition (ramipril, 1 mg/kg/day, n = 10) for 4 weeks. Control, sham-operated rats (n = 9) received vehicle. Cardiac structure and function and expression of KLF15 were assessed. Results STNx caused impaired kidney function (P < 0.001), hypertension (P < 0.01), LVH (P < 0.001) and fibrosis (P < 0.05). LVH was associated with increased gene expression of hypertrophic markers, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP, P < 0.01) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) (P < 0.05). Cardiac KLF15 mRNA and protein expression were reduced (P < 0.05) in STNx and levels of the transcription regulator, GATA binding protein 4 were increased (P < 0.05). Ramipril reduced blood pressure (P < 0.001), LVH (P < 0.001) and fibrosis (P < 0.05), and increased cardiac KLF15 gene (P < 0.05) and protein levels (P < 0.01). This was associated with reduced ANP, BNP and CTGF mRNA (all P < 0.05). Conclusion This is the first evidence that loss of cardiac KLF15 in CKD induced LVH is associated with unchecked trophic and fibrotic signalling, and that ACE inhibition ameliorates loss of cardiac KLF15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila K Patel
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 7 Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
| | - Elena Velkoska
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 7 Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Daniel Gayed
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 7 Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Jay Ramchand
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 7 Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Jessica Lesmana
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 7 Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Louise M Burrell
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 7 Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
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Shi J, Zhou LR, Wang XS, Du JF, Jiang MM, Song Z, Han GC, Mai ZT. KLF2 attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation with regulation of AP-1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 495:20-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.10.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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KLF15 protects against isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy via regulation of cell death and inhibition of Akt/mTOR signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 487:22-27. [PMID: 28336438 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicate that the Krüppel-like factor KLF15, a member of Cys2/His2 zinc-finger DNA-binding proteins, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy. However, the role of KLF15 in cardiovascular system is largely unknown and the exact molecular mechanism of its protective function is not fully elucidated. In the present study, we established a mouse model of cardiac hypertrophy and found that KLF15 expression was down-regulated in hypertrophic hearts. To evaluate the roles of KLF15 in cardiac hypertrophy, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing KLF15 of KLF15 knockdown mice and subsequently induced cardiac hypertrophy. The results indicated that KLF15 overexpression protects mice from ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy, with reduced ratios of heart weight (HW)/body weight (BW) and cross-sectional area. We also observed that KLF15 overexpression attenuated cardiac fibrosis, inhibited apoptosis and induced autophagy in cardiomyocytes compared with KLF15 knockdown mice. More importantly, we found that the KLF15 overexpression inhibited the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings imply that KLF15 possesses potential anti-hypertrophic and anti-fibrotic functions, possibly via regulation of cell death pathways and the inhibition of Akt/mTOR axis. KLF15 may constitute an efficient candidate drug for the treatment of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.
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10
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Li Y, Shi X, Li J, Zhang M, Yu B. Knockdown of KLF11 attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via JAK2/STAT3 signaling in H9c2. Apoptosis 2016; 22:510-518. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-016-1327-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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11
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Hübscher D, Nikolaev VO. Generation of transgenic mice expressing FRET biosensors. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1294:117-29. [PMID: 25783881 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2537-7_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mice play a significant role in modern biomedical research. They allow not only mechanistic insights into the functions of specific genes and proteins. Recent strategies have also established the use of transgenic mice as an exciting tool for the expression and in vivo or in situ analysis of fluorescent biosensors, which are capable of directly reporting second messenger levels and biochemical processes in real time and in living cells. In this chapter, we present a detailed protocol for the generation of plasmid vectors and transgenic mice expressing a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor for the second messenger 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate. These tools and techniques should provide great potential for the analysis of second messenger dynamics in a more physiologically relevant context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Hübscher
- Heart Research Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
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12
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TIEG1 Inhibits Angiotensin II–induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy by Inhibiting Transcription Factor GATA4. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2015; 66:196-203. [DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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13
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Stastna M, Van Eyk JE. Posttranslational modifications of lysine and evolving role in heart pathologies-recent developments. Proteomics 2015; 15:1164-80. [PMID: 25430483 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201400312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The alteration in proteome composition induced by environmental changes and various pathologies is accompanied by the modifications of proteins by specific cotranslational and PTMs. The type and site stoichiometry of PTMs can affect protein functions, alter cell signaling, and can have acute and chronic effects. The particular interest is drawn to those amino acid residues that can undergo several different PTMs. We hypothesize that these selected amino acid residues are biologically rare and act within the cell as molecular switches. There are, at least, 12 various lysine modifications currently known, several of them have been shown to be competitive and they influence the ability of a particular lysine to be modified by a different PTM. In this review, we discuss the PTMs that occur on lysine, specifically neddylation and sumoylation, and the proteomic approaches that can be applied for the identification and quantification of these PTMs. Of interest are the emerging roles for these modifications in heart disease and what can be inferred from work in other cell types and organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Stastna
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i, Brno, Czech Republic
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Moravek MB, Yin P, Ono M, Coon JS, Dyson MT, Navarro A, Marsh EE, Chakravarti D, Kim JJ, Wei JJ, Bulun SE. Ovarian steroids, stem cells and uterine leiomyoma: therapeutic implications. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 21:1-12. [PMID: 25205766 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign tumor in women and is thought to arise from the clonal expansion of a single myometrial smooth muscle cell transformed by a cellular insult. Leiomyomas cause a variety of symptoms, including abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, bladder or bowel dysfunction, and recurrent pregnancy loss, and are the most common indication for hysterectomy in the USA. A slow rate of cell proliferation, combined with the production of copious amounts of extracellular matrix, accounts for tumor expansion. A common salient feature of leiomyomas is their responsiveness to steroid hormones, thus providing an opportunity for intervention. METHODS A comprehensive search of PUBMED was conducted to identify peer-reviewed literature published since 1980 pertinent to the roles of steroid hormones and somatic stem cells in leiomyoma, including literature on therapeutics that target steroid hormone action in leiomyoma. Reviewed articles were restricted to English language only. Studies in both animals and humans were reviewed for the manuscript. RESULTS Estrogen stimulates the growth of leiomyomas, which are exposed to this hormone not only through ovarian steroidogenesis, but also through local conversion of androgens by aromatase within the tumors themselves. The primary action of estrogen, together with its receptor estrogen receptor α (ERα), is likely mediated via induction of progesterone receptor (PR) expression, thereby allowing leiomyoma responsiveness to progesterone. Progesterone has been shown to stimulate the growth of leiomyoma through a set of key genes that regulate both apoptosis and proliferation. Given these findings, aromatase inhibitors and antiprogestins have been developed for the treatment of leiomyoma, but neither treatment results in complete regression of leiomyoma, and tumors recur after treatment is stopped. Recently, distinct cell populations were discovered in leiomyomas; a small population showed stem-progenitor cell properties, and was found to be essential for ovarian steroid-dependent growth of leiomyomas. Interestingly, these stem-progenitor cells were deficient in ERα and PR and instead relied on the strikingly higher levels of these receptors in surrounding differentiated cells to mediate estrogen and progesterone action via paracrine signaling. CONCLUSIONS It has been well established that estrogen and progesterone are involved in the proliferation and maintenance of uterine leiomyoma, and the majority of medical treatments currently available for leiomyoma work by inhibiting steroid hormone production or action. A pitfall of these therapeutics is that they decrease leiomyoma size, but do not completely eradicate them, and tumors tend to regrow once treatment is stopped. The recent discovery of stem cells and their paracrine interactions with more differentiated cell populations within leiomyoma has the potential to provide the missing link between developing therapeutics that temper leiomyoma growth and those that eradicate them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly B Moravek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ping Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Masanori Ono
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John S Coon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Matthew T Dyson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Antonia Navarro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Erica E Marsh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Debabrata Chakravarti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - J Julie Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jian-Jun Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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