1
|
Thapa R, Marmo K, Ma L, Torry DS, Bany BM. The Long Non-Coding RNA Gene AC027288.3 Plays a Role in Human Endometrial Stromal Fibroblast Decidualization. Cells 2024; 13:778. [PMID: 38727314 PMCID: PMC11083667 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
During the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, endometrial fibroblast cells begin to change into large epithelial-like cells called decidual cells in a process called decidualization. This differentiation continues more broadly in the endometrium and forms the decidual tissue during early pregnancy. The cells undergoing decidualization as well as the resulting decidual cells, support successful implantation and placentation during early pregnancy. This study was carried out to identify new potentially important long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes that may play a role in human endometrial stromal fibroblast cells (hESF) undergoing decidualization in vitro, and several were found. The expression of nine was further characterized. One of these, AC027288.3, showed a dramatic increase in the expression of hESF cells undergoing decidualization. When AC027288.3 expression was targeted, the ability of the cells to undergo decidualization as determined by the expression of decidualization marker protein-coding genes was significantly altered. The most affected markers of decidualization whose expression was significantly reduced were FOXO1, FZD4, and INHBA. Therefore, AC027288.3 may be a major upstream regulator of the WNT-FOXO1 pathway and activin-SMAD3 pathways previously shown as critical for hESF decidualization. Finally, we explored possible regulators of AC027288.3 expression during human ESF decidualization. Expression was regulated by cAMP and progesterone. Our results suggest that AC027288.3 plays a role in hESF decidualization and identifies several other lncRNA genes that may also play a role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rupak Thapa
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; (R.T.)
| | - Kevin Marmo
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; (R.T.)
| | - Liang Ma
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Donald S. Torry
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Brent M. Bany
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; (R.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liao Z, Tang S, Jiang P, Geng T, Cope DI, Dunn TN, Guner J, Radilla LA, Guan X, Monsivais D. Impaired bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways disrupt decidualization in endometriosis. Commun Biol 2024; 7:227. [PMID: 38402336 PMCID: PMC10894266 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05898-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is linked to increased infertility and pregnancy complications due to defective endometrial decidualization. We hypothesized that identification of altered signaling pathways during decidualization could identify the underlying cause of infertility and pregnancy complications. Our study reveals that transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathways are impaired in the endometrium of individuals with endometriosis, leading to defective decidualization. Through detailed transcriptomic analyses, we discovered abnormalities in TGFβ signaling pathways and key regulators, such as SMAD4, in the endometrium of affected individuals. We also observed compromised activity of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), a subset of the TGFβ family, that control endometrial receptivity. Using 3-dimensional models of endometrial stromal and epithelial assembloids, we showed that exogenous BMP2 improved decidual marker expression in individuals with endometriosis. Our findings reveal dysfunction of BMP/SMAD signaling in the endometrium of individuals with endometriosis, explaining decidualization defects and subsequent pregnancy complications in these individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zian Liao
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Graduate Program of Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Suni Tang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Peixin Jiang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ting Geng
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dominique I Cope
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Timothy N Dunn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joie Guner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Linda Alpuing Radilla
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoming Guan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Juárez-Barber E, Corachán A, Carbajo-García MC, Faus A, Vidal C, Giles J, Pellicer A, Cervelló I, Ferrero H. Transcriptome analysis of adenomyosis eutopic endometrium reveals molecular mechanisms involved in adenomyosis-related implantation failure and pregnancy disorders. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:10. [PMID: 38195505 PMCID: PMC10775471 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01182-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with adenomyosis are characterized by having defective decidualization, impaired endometrial receptivity and/or embryo-maternal communication, and implantation failure. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying adenomyosis-related infertility remain unknown, mainly because of the restricted accessibility and the difficult preservation of endometrial tissue in vitro. We have recently shown that adenomyosis patient-derived endometrial organoids, maintain disease-specific features while differentiated into mid-secretory and gestational endometrial phase, overcoming these research barriers and providing a robust platform to study adenomyosis pathogenesis and the associated molecular dysregulation related to implantation and pregnancy disorders. For this reason, we aim to characterize the dysregulated mechanisms in the mid-secretory and gestational endometrium of patients with adenomyosis by RNA-sequencing. METHODS Endometrial organoids were derived from endometrial biopsies collected in the proliferative phase of women with adenomyosis (ADENO) or healthy oocyte donors (CONTROL) (n = 15/group) and differentiated into mid-secretory (-SECorg) and gestational (-GESTorg) phases in vitro. Following RNA-sequencing, the significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (FDR < 0.05) were identified and selected for subsequent functional enrichment analysis and QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Statistical differences in gene expression were evaluated with the Student's t-test or Wilcoxon test. RESULTS We identified 1,430 DEGs in ADENO-SECorg and 1,999 DEGs in ADENO-GESTorg. In ADENO-SECorg, upregulated genes included OLFM1, FXYD5, and RUNX2, which are involved in impaired endometrial receptivity and implantation failure, while downregulated genes included RRM2, SOSTDC1, and CHAC2 implicated in recurrent implantation failure. In ADENO-GESTorg, upregulated CXCL14 and CYP24A1 and downregulated PGR were related to pregnancy loss. IPA predicted a significant inhibition of ID1 signaling, histamine degradation, and activation of HMGB1 and Senescence pathways, which are related to implantation failure. Alternatively, IPA predicted an inhibition of D-myo-inositol biosynthesis and VEGF signaling, and upregulation of Rho pathway, which are related to pregnancy loss and preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS Identifying dysregulated molecular mechanisms in mid-secretory and gestational endometrium of adenomyosis women contributes to the understanding of adenomyosis-related implantation failure and/or pregnancy disorders revealing potential therapeutic targets. Following experimental validation of our transcriptomic and in silico findings, our differentiated adenomyosis patient-derived organoids have the potential to provide a reliable platform for drug discovery, development, and personalized drug screening for affected patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Juárez-Barber
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain
| | - Ana Corachán
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - María Cristina Carbajo-García
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Amparo Faus
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain
| | | | - Juan Giles
- IVI-RMA Valencia, Valencia, 46015, Spain
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain
- IVI-RMA Rome, Rome, 00197, Italy
| | - Irene Cervelló
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain
| | - Hortensia Ferrero
- Fundación IVI, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Thapa R, Druessel L, Ma L, Torry DS, Bany BM. ATOH8 Expression Is Regulated by BMP2 and Plays a Key Role in Human Endometrial Stromal Cell Decidualization. Endocrinology 2023; 165:bqad188. [PMID: 38060684 PMCID: PMC10729865 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
During the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, elongated fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells in the uterine endometrium begin to transdifferentiate into polygonal epithelioid-like (decidual) cells. This decidualization process continues more broadly during early pregnancy, and the resulting decidual tissue supports successful embryo implantation and placental development. This study was carried out to determine if atonal basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 8 (ATOH8) plays a role in human endometrial stromal fibroblast (ESF) decidualization. ATOH8 messenger RNA and protein expression levels significantly increased in human ESF cells undergoing in vitro decidualization, with the protein primarily localized to the nucleus. When ATOH8 expression was silenced, the ability of the cells to undergo decidualization was significantly diminished. Overexpression of ATOH8 enhanced the expression of many decidualization markers. Silencing the expression of ATOH8 reduced the expression of FZD4, FOXO1, and several known FOXO1-downstream targets during human ESF cell decidualization. Therefore, ATOH8 may be a major upstream regulator of the WNT/FZD-FOXO1 pathway, previously shown to be critical for human endometrial decidualization. Finally, we explored possible regulators of ATOH8 expression during human ESF decidualization. BMP2 significantly enhanced ATOH8 expression when cells were stimulated to undergo decidualization, while an ALK2/3 inhibitor reduced ATOH8 expression. Finally, although the steroids progesterone plus estradiol did not affect ATOH8 expression, the addition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) analogue alone represented the major effect of ATOH8 expression when cells were stimulated to undergo decidualization. Our results suggest that ATOH8 plays a crucial role in human ESF decidualization and that BMP2 plus cAMP are major regulators of ATOH8 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rupak Thapa
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Logan Druessel
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Liang Ma
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63018, USA
| | - Donald S Torry
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Brent M Bany
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liao Z, Tang S, Jiang P, Geng T, Cope DI, Dunn TN, Guner J, Radilla LA, Guan X, Monsivais D. Impaired bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways disrupt decidualization in endometriosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.21.558268. [PMID: 37790548 PMCID: PMC10542516 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.21.558268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
It is hypothesized that impaired endometrial decidualization contributes to decreased fertility in individuals with endometriosis. To identify the molecular defects that underpin defective decidualization in endometriosis, we subjected endometrial stromal cells from individuals with or without endometriosis to time course in vitro decidualization with estradiol, progesterone, and 8-bromo-cyclic-AMP (EPC) for 2, 4, 6, or 8 days. Transcriptomic profiling identified differences in key pathways between the two groups, including defective bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/SMAD4 signaling (ID2, ID3, FST), oxidate stress response (NFE2L2, ALOX15, SLC40A1), and retinoic acid signaling pathways (RARRES, RARB, ALDH1B1). Genome-wide binding analyses identified an altered genomic distribution of SMAD4 and H3K27Ac in the decidualized stromal cells from individuals without endometriosis relative to those with endometriosis, with target genes enriched in pathways related to signaling by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptors (NTRK), and nerve growth factor (NGF)-stimulated transcription. We found that direct SMAD1/5/4 target genes control FOXO, PI3K/AKT, and progesterone-mediated signaling in decidualizing cells and that BMP2 supplementation in endometriosis patient-derived assembloids elevated the expression of decidualization markers. In summary, transcriptomic and genome-wide binding analyses of patient-derived endometrial cells and assembloids identified that a functional BMP/SMAD1/5/4 signaling program is crucial for engaging decidualization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zian Liao
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Graduate Program of Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Suni Tang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Peixin Jiang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ting Geng
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dominique I. Cope
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Timothy N. Dunn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joie Guner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Linda Alpuing Radilla
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoming Guan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhu S, Lin D, Ye Z, Chen X, Jiang W, Xu H, Quan S, Zheng B. GOLPH3 modulates expression and alternative splicing of transcription factors associated with endometrial decidualization in human endometrial stromal cells. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15048. [PMID: 36967990 PMCID: PMC10035422 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial decidualization is a decidual tissue formed by the proliferation and re-differentiation of endometrial stroma stimulated by decidualization inducing factors. It is very important for the proper maintenance of pregnancy. Previous studies speculated that Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) may have a regulatory role in the process of endometrial decidualization, while the specific molecular mechanisms of GOLPH3 is unclear. In this part, GOLPH3 was silenced in human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs), and the transcriptome data (RNA-seq) by GOLPH3 knockdown (siGOLPH3) was obtained by high-throughput sequencing technology so as to analyze the potential targets of GOLPH3 at expression and alternative splicing levels in hESCs. Through bioinformatics analysis, we found that siGOLPH3 can significantly affect the overall transcriptional level of hESCs. A total of 6,025 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 4,131 differentially alternative splicing events (DASEs) were identified. Through functional cluster analysis of these DEGs and genes where differential alternative splicing events are located, it is found that they are enriched in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, RNA splicing and processing, transcription factors and other pathways related to endometrial decidualization and important biological processes, indicating the important biological function of GOLPH3. At the same time, we focused on the analysis of the transcription factors regulated by GOLPH3, including gene expression regulation and the regulation of variable splicing. We found that GOLPH3can regulate the expression of transcription factors such as LD1, FOSL2, GATA2, CSDC2 and CREB3L1. At the same time, it affects the variable splicing mode of FOXM1 and TCF3. The function of these transcription factors is directly related to decidualization of endometrium. Therefore, we infer that GOLPH3 may participate in endometrial de membrane by regulating expression and alternative splicing levels of transcription factors. We further identified the role of GOLPH3 in the transcriptional mechanism. At the same time, it also expands the function mode of GOLPH3 protein molecule, and provides a theoretical basis for downstream targeted drug research and development and clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suqin Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Dianliang Lin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhoujie Ye
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaojing Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wenwen Jiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Huiling Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Song Quan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Beihong Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
The role of leukemia inhibitory factor in pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia: molecular and cell signaling approach. J Mol Histol 2021; 52:635-642. [PMID: 34076833 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-021-09989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is considered as the main hallmark of Preeclampsia (PE). Despite the unknown pathogenesis of PE, different possible causes have been suggested in various studies. In this review, we first studied the Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) role in the related pathways to the PE pathogenesis, such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. LIF can increase the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 via the JAK/STAT3 pathway, thereby inducing inflammatory responses and endothelial dysfunction. It can also be involved in the vascular vasoconstriction and hypertension by reducing the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Identifying the link between LIF and pathways associated with PE pathogenesis could be effective to achieve an effective PE treatment in the future.
Collapse
|