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Sakali AK, Bargiota A, Bjekic-Macut J, Macut D, Mastorakos G, Papagianni M. Environmental factors affecting female fertility. Endocrine 2024:10.1007/s12020-024-03940-y. [PMID: 38954374 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03940-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the recent years, scientific community has increased its interest on solving problems of female fertility pathology. Many factors acting separately or in combination affect significantly the reproductive life of a woman. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the direct and/or indirect action of environmental factors and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs; i.e. heavy metals, plasticizers, parabens, industrial chemicals, pesticides, or medications, by-products, anti-bacterial agents, perfluorochemicals) upon assisted and non-assisted female fertility, extracted from in vivo and in vitro animal and human published data. Transgenerational effects which could have been caused epigenetically by the action of EDCs have been raised. METHODS This narrative review englobes and describes data from in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies with regard to the action of environmental factors, which include EDCs, on female fertility following the questions for narrative reviews of the SANRA (a scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles). The identification of the studies was done: through the PubMed Central and the PubMed of the MEDLINE, the Google Scholar database and the Cochrane Library database until December 2023 combining appropriate keywords ("specific environmental factors" including "EDCs" AND "specific negative fertility outcomes"); by manual scanning of references from selected articles and reviews focusing on these subjects. It includes references to EDCs-induced transgenerational effects. RESULTS From the reported evidence emerge negative or positive associations between specific environmental factors or EDCs and infertility outcomes such as infertility indices, disrupted maturation of the oocytes, anovulation, deranged transportation of the embryo and failure of implantation. CONCLUSION The revealed adverse outcomes related to female fertility could be attributed to exposure to specific environmental factors such as temperature, climate, radiation, air pollutants, nutrition, toxic substances and EDCs. The recognition of fertility hazards related to the environment will permit the limitation of exposure to them, will improve female fertility and protect the health potential of future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia-Konstantina Sakali
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Larissa University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Alexandra Bargiota
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Larissa University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Jelica Bjekic-Macut
- Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Bežanijska kosa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Djuro Macut
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - George Mastorakos
- Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Papagianni
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece.
- Endocrine Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Rannaud-Bartaire P, Demeneix BA, Fini JB. Pressures of the urban environment on the endocrine system: Adverse effects and adaptation. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 583:112125. [PMID: 38147952 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
With an increasing collective awareness of the rapid environmental changes, questions and theories regarding the adaptability of organisms are emerging. Global warming as well as chemical and non-chemical pollution have been identified as triggers of these adaptative changes, but can we link different kinds of stressors to certain phenotypic traits? The physiological adaptation, and particularly endocrine system adaptation, of living beings to urban environments is a fascinating way of studying urban endocrinology, which has emerged as a research field in 2007. In this paper, we stress how endocrine disruption in humans and environment can be studied in the urban environment by measuring the levels of pollution, endocrine activities or adversity. We broaden the focus to include not only exposure to the chemicals that have invaded our private spheres and their effects on wild and domestic species but also non-chemical effectors such as light, noise and climate change. We argue that taking into account the various urban stress factors and their effects on the endocrine system would enable the adoption of new approaches to protect living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Rannaud-Bartaire
- PhyMa Unit, CNRS UMR 7221, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, F-75005, Paris, France; Université Catholique de Lille, l'hôpital Saint-Vincent-De-Paul, Boulevard de Belfort, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Barbara A Demeneix
- PhyMa Unit, CNRS UMR 7221, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Fini
- PhyMa Unit, CNRS UMR 7221, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, F-75005, Paris, France.
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Bouko-Levy E, Vialaret C, Sallée C, Marquet P, Margueritte F, Dion L, Lavoue V, Gauthier T. Estimation of the prevalence of uterine infertility and its different causes in France according to data from a literature review. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2023; 52:102684. [PMID: 37866776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2023.102684] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uterine infertility (UI) is defined as the complete absence of a uterus (absolute uterine infertility or AUI) or the presence of a non functional uterus (non-absolute uterine infertility or NAUI). The exact prevalence of uterine infertility is currently unknown. Our aim was to assess the number of French women concerned by Uterine Infertility according to a recent literature review. MATERIALS AND METHODS We have previously conducted a systematic review of the literature on UI and its various causes in the world. Based on these study and demographic data of 2022 from INSEE (Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques), we attempted to estimate the number of women under 40 years of age in France affected by potential UI using direct standardization. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Based on the estimation from INSEE data, approximately 2066 women of childbearing age would have MRKH syndrome in France, 380 the Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and 3700 had an haemostasis hysterectomy in France. We did not find data on the prevalence of hysterectomies before the age of 40 in France. For the following pathologies: uterine malformations, radiation uterus, synechiae, myomas and adenomyosis there was a huge amount of missing data, which does not allow us to estimate the number of potentially infertile patients. CONCLUSION Prevalence of UI is poorly known. UI probably concerns several thousand patients in France. The creation of a UI registry would make enable to assess the number of patients potentially eligible for adoption, uterus transplantation or even surrogacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bouko-Levy
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, Limoges 87000, France
| | - C Vialaret
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, Limoges 87000, France
| | - C Sallée
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, Limoges 87000, France
| | - P Marquet
- Pharmacology and Transplantation, INSERM U1248, Université de Limoges, 2 Rue du Pr Descottes, Limoges 87000, France
| | - F Margueritte
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, Limoges 87000, France
| | - L Dion
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hopital Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes 35000, France
| | - V Lavoue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hopital Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes 35000, France
| | - T Gauthier
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, Limoges 87000, France; Pharmacology and Transplantation, INSERM U1248, Université de Limoges, 2 Rue du Pr Descottes, Limoges 87000, France.
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Sakali AK, Papagianni M, Bargiota A, Rasic-Markovic A, Macut D, Mastorakos G. Environmental factors affecting pregnancy outcomes. Endocrine 2023; 80:459-469. [PMID: 36729371 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pregnancy represents a fragile period in the life of a woman, vulnerable to hazardous environmental substances which might affect maternal and fetal metabolism. The possible influence of environmental factors, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), upon the mother and the fetus before and/or during pregnancy might be associated directly and/or indirectly to deleterious pregnancy outcomes. Because the existence of such associations would be, to our view, of major importance to the scientific community, their investigation is the scope of this critical review. METHODS This critical review includes in vivo animal and human studies regarding the role of environmental factors, including EDCs, on pregnancy outcomes complying with the SANRA (a scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles) questions for narrative reviews. Studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE (PubMed and PubMed Central), the Cochrane library and the Google Scholar databases till October 2022 with the combinations of the appropriate key words (detailed environmental factors including EDCs AND detailed negative pregnancy outcomes) as well as by scanning references from already included articles and relevant reviews manually. Because environmental factors and EDCs have been associated to epigenetic alterations, special care has been given to EDC-induced transgenerational effects on pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS The existing evidence suggests positive associations between specific environmental factors and negative pregnancy outcomes such as ectopic pregnancies, pregnancy losses, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm births, birth defects, intrauterine growth restriction, and small or large for gestational age babies. CONCLUSION Environmental factors and EDCs may have a catalytic effect on the course and the outcomes of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia-Konstantina Sakali
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Larissa University Hospital, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Papagianni
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education and Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Endocrine Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandra Bargiota
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Larissa University Hospital, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Aleksandra Rasic-Markovic
- Institute of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Djuro Macut
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - George Mastorakos
- Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Kaefer M, Rink R, Misseri R, Winchester P, Proctor C, Ben Maamar M, Beck D, Nilsson E, Skinner MK. Role of epigenetics in the etiology of hypospadias through penile foreskin DNA methylation alterations. Sci Rep 2023; 13:555. [PMID: 36631595 PMCID: PMC9834259 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27763-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal penile foreskin development in hypospadias is the most frequent genital malformation in male children, which has increased dramatically in recent decades. A number of environmental factors have been shown to be associated with hypospadias development. The current study investigated the role of epigenetics in the etiology of hypospadias and compared mild (distal), moderate (mid shaft), and severe (proximal) hypospadias. Penile foreskin samples were collected from hypospadias and non-hypospadias individuals to identify alterations in DNA methylation associated with hypospadias. Dramatic numbers of differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs) were observed in the mild hypospadias, with reduced numbers in moderate and low numbers in severe hypospadias. Atresia (cell loss) of the principal foreskin fibroblast is suspected to be a component of the disease etiology. A genome-wide (> 95%) epigenetic analysis was used and the genomic features of the DMRs identified. The DMR associated genes identified a number of novel hypospadias associated genes and pathways, as well as genes and networks known to be involved in hypospadias etiology. Observations demonstrate altered DNA methylation sites in penile foreskin is a component of hypospadias etiology. In addition, a potential role of environmental epigenetics and epigenetic inheritance in hypospadias disease etiology is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kaefer
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Pediatric Urology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5201 USA
| | - Richard Rink
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Pediatric Urology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5201 USA
| | - Rosalia Misseri
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Pediatric Urology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5201 USA
| | - Paul Winchester
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Pediatrics, St. Franciscan Hospital, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5201 USA
| | - Cathy Proctor
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Pediatrics, St. Franciscan Hospital, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5201 USA
| | - Millissia Ben Maamar
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236 USA
| | - Daniel Beck
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236 USA
| | - Eric Nilsson
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236 USA
| | - Michael K. Skinner
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236 USA
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Chen N, Song S, Bao X, Zhu L. Update on Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome. Front Med 2022; 16:859-872. [PMID: 36562950 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-022-0969-3] [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: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This review presents an update of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome on its etiologic, clinical, diagnostic, psychological, therapeutic, and reproductive aspects. The etiology of MRKH syndrome remains unclear due to its intrinsic heterogeneity. Nongenetic and genetic causes that may interact during the embryonic development have been proposed with no definitive etiopathogenesis identified. The proportion of concomitant extragenital malformations varies in different studies, and the discrepancies may be explained by ethnic differences. In addition to physical examination and pelvic ultrasound, the performance of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging is crucial in detecting the presence of rudimentary uterine endometrium. MRKH syndrome has long-lasting psychological effects on patients, resulting in low esteem, poor coping strategies, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Providing psychological counseling and peer support to diagnosed patients is recommended. Proper and timely psychological intervention could significantly improve a patient's outcome. Various nonsurgical and surgical methods have been suggested for treatment of MRKH syndrome. Due to the high success rate and minimal risk of complications, vaginal dilation has been proven to be the first-line therapy. Vaginoplasty is the second-line option for patients experiencing dilation failure. Uterine transplantation and gestational surrogacy are options for women with MRKH syndrome to achieve biological motherhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric and Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shuang Song
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric and Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xinmiao Bao
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric and Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
- Peking Union Medical College, M.D. Program, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lan Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric and Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Guerrier D, Epelboin S, Tournaire M. High incidence of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome syndrome in third-generation DES women. Therapie 2022; 77:731-734. [PMID: 35279296 DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Guerrier
- Inserm, IGDR (institut de génétique et développement de Rennes), CNRS, UMR 6290, ERL U.1305, université Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Sylvie Epelboin
- Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, université de Paris, hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, AP-HP, 75018 Paris, France
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Buchert R, Schenk E, Hentrich T, Weber N, Rall K, Sturm M, Kohlbacher O, Koch A, Riess O, Brucker SY, Schulze-Hentrich JM. Genome Sequencing and Transcriptome Profiling in Twins Discordant for Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195598. [PMID: 36233463 PMCID: PMC9573672 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify potential genetic causes for Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH), we analyzed blood and rudimentary uterine tissue of 5 MRKH discordant monozygotic twin pairs. Assuming that a variant solely identified in the affected twin or affected tissue could cause the phenotype, we identified a mosaic variant in ACTR3B with high allele frequency in the affected tissue, low allele frequency in the blood of the affected twin, and almost absent in blood of the unaffected twin. Focusing on MRKH candidate genes, we detected a pathogenic variant in GREB1L in one twin pair and their unaffected mother showing a reduced phenotypic penetrance. Furthermore, two variants of unknown clinical significance in PAX8 and WNT9B were identified. In addition, we conducted transcriptome analysis of affected tissue and observed perturbations largely similar to those in sporadic cases. These shared transcriptional changes were enriched for terms associated with estrogen and its receptors pointing at a role of estrogen in MRKH pathology. Our genome sequencing approach of blood and uterine tissue of discordant twins is the most extensive study performed on twins discordant for MRKH so far. As no clear pathogenic differences were detected, research to evaluate other regulatory layers are required to better understand the complex etiology of MRKH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Buchert
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Schenk
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nico Weber
- Applied Bioinformatics, Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Rall
- Department of Women’s Health, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Rare Disease Center Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marc Sturm
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Kohlbacher
- Applied Bioinformatics, Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Translational Bioinformatics, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - André Koch
- Research Institute for Women’s Health, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Rare Disease Center Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Y. Brucker
- Department of Women’s Health, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Rare Disease Center Tübingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia M. Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-7071-29-72276
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Hentrich T, Koch A, Weber N, Kilzheimer A, Maia A, Burkhardt S, Rall K, Casadei N, Kohlbacher O, Riess O, Schulze-Hentrich JM, Brucker SY. The Endometrial Transcription Landscape of MRKH Syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:572281. [PMID: 33072755 PMCID: PMC7542331 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.572281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome (OMIM 277000) is characterized by agenesis of the uterus and upper part of the vagina in females with normal ovarian function. While genetic causes have been identified for a small subset of patients and epigenetic mechanisms presumably contribute to the pathogenic unfolding, too, the etiology of the syndrome has remained largely enigmatic. A comprehensive understanding of gene activity in the context of the disease is crucial to identify etiological components and their potential interplay. So far, this understanding is lacking, primarily due to the scarcity of samples and suitable tissue. In order to close this gap, we profiled endometrial tissue of uterus rudiments in a large cohort of MRKH patients using RNA-seq and thereby provide a genome-wide view on the altered transcription landscape of the MRKH syndrome. Differential and co-expression analyses of the data identified cellular processes and candidate genes that converge on a core network of interconnected regulators that emerge as pivotal for the perturbed expression space. With these results and browsable access to the rich data through an online tool we seek to accelerate research to unravel the underlying biology of the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - André Koch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nico Weber
- Applied Bioinformatics, Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Kilzheimer
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ana Maia
- Division of Molecular Genome Analysis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simone Burkhardt
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Rall
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,NGS Competence Center Tübingen (NCCT), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Kohlbacher
- Applied Bioinformatics, Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Translational Bioinformatics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Biomolecular Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,NGS Competence Center Tübingen (NCCT), Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Sara Yvonne Brucker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,NGS Competence Center Tübingen (NCCT), Tübingen, Germany
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