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Dolmans MM, Petraglia F, Catherino WH, Donnez J. Pathogenesis of uterine fibroids: current understanding and future directions. Fertil Steril 2024; 122:6-11. [PMID: 38453042 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.02.048] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Fibroids are benign uterine tumors characterized by the proliferation of uterine smooth muscle cells, embedded in an abundant extracellular matrix. Their prevalence is estimated to be >50% in women aged >45 years. Fibroids represent a considerable health burden. It is time to acquire a deeper mechanistic understanding of uterine fibroid-related etiology and pathogenesis, which may help pinpoint new strategies and an individualized approach. There is a need to gather prospective data and conduct studies to compare alternative approaches and assess long-term outcomes with respect to quality of life, recurrence of symptoms (bleeding and bulk symptoms), fertility, and even complications The goal of this review was to evaluate the widely accepted pathogenesis and identify risks factors and future directions for clinical and basic research into fibroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Madeleine Dolmans
- Pôle de Recherche en Gynécologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium; Gynecology Department, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Maternal-Infancy, Careggi University Hospital Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - William H Catherino
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jacques Donnez
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Society for Research into Infertility (SRI), Brussels, Belgium
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2
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George JW, Cancino RA, Griffin Miller JL, Qiu F, Lin Q, Rowley MJ, Chennathukuzhi VM, Davis JS. Characterization of m6A Modifiers and RNA Modifications in Uterine Fibroids. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae074. [PMID: 38946397 PMCID: PMC11222979 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae074] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma or fibroids are prevalent noncancerous tumors of the uterine muscle layer, yet their origin and development remain poorly understood. We analyzed RNA expression profiles of 15 epigenetic mediators in uterine fibroids compared to myometrium using publicly available RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. To validate our findings, we performed RT-qPCR on a separate cohort of uterine fibroids targeting these modifiers confirming our RNA-seq data. We then examined protein profiles of key N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifiers in fibroids and their matched myometrium, showing no significant differences in concordance with our RNA expression profiles. To determine RNA modification abundance, mRNA and small RNA from fibroids and matched myometrium were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identifying prevalent m6A and 11 other known modifiers. However, no aberrant expression in fibroids was detected. We then mined a previously published dataset and identified differential expression of m6A modifiers that were specific to fibroid genetic subtype. Our analysis also identified m6A consensus motifs on genes previously identified to be dysregulated in uterine fibroids. Overall, using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, RNA expression, and protein profiles, we characterized and identified differentially expressed m6A modifiers in relation to driver mutations. Despite the use of several different approaches, we identified limited differential expression of RNA modifiers and associated modifications in uterine fibroids. However, considering the highly heterogenous genomic and cellular nature of fibroids, and the possible contribution of single molecule m6A modifications to fibroid pathology, there is a need for greater in-depth characterization of m6A marks and modifiers in a larger and diverse patient cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitu W George
- Olson Center for Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
| | - Rosa A Cancino
- Olson Center for Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Jennifer L Griffin Miller
- Olson Center for Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Fang Qiu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Qishan Lin
- RNA Epitranscriptomics and Proteomics Resource, Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - M Jordan Rowley
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Varghese M Chennathukuzhi
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - John S Davis
- Olson Center for Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
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3
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Makise N, Lin J, Kageyama H, Kinoshita H, Kamoda H, Hagiwara Y, Oikawa M, Sugiyama T, Kawana H, Araki A, Yonemoto T, Kawazu M, Itami M. Nanopore DNA Sequencing Detected Chromothripsis-Induced PAFAH1B1::USP6 Rearrangement in Periosteal Solid Aneurysmal Bone Cyst Initially Diagnosed as Osteosarcoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23254. [PMID: 38979775 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23254] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign bone neoplasm that typically occurs during the first and second decades of life. ABC usually presents as a rapidly growing intramedullary expansile mass with multiple blood-filled cysts in the metaphysis of the long tubular bones. Here, we report a case of a periosteal solid ABC that was initially diagnosed as a high-grade surface osteosarcoma. A 10-year-old male was referred to our hospital for swelling and tenderness of the left upper arm. Radiography revealed periosteal mass without fluid-fluid levels. On performing open biopsy, the tumor showed hypercellular proliferation of uniform spindle to epithelioid cells with brisk mitotic activity (up to 12/2 mm2) and lace-like osteoid formation, which was diagnosed as a high-grade surface osteosarcoma. After one course of chemotherapy using adriamycin and cisplatin, peripheral sclerosis was conspicuous, which led to pathological review and revision of diagnosis as "possibly osteoblastoma." The patient was disease-free for 4 years after marginal resection and curettage. Retrospective nanopore DNA sequencing unexpectedly detected a PAFAH1B1::USP6 rearrangement. The fusion gene was further validated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the diagnosis was revised to ABC. Chromothripsis involving chromosome 17 has also been identified. Methylation analysis classified the present tumor as an ABC or non-ossifying fibroma using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding and unsupervised hierarchical clustering. This case report highlights the utility of nanopore DNA sequencing for soft tissue and bone tumor diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohiro Makise
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jason Lin
- Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hajime Kageyama
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Hiroto Kamoda
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoko Hagiwara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Mariko Oikawa
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Hidetada Kawana
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akinobu Araki
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Yonemoto
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Makiko Itami
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
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Warmke LM, Collier CD, Niziolek PJ, Davis JL, Zou YS, Michal M, Bell RC, Policarpio-Nicolas MLC, Cheng YW, Duckworth L, Dermawan JK, Fritchie KJ, Dehner CA. Novel CRTC1::MRTFB(MKL2) Gene Fusion Detected in Myxoid Mesenchymal Neoplasms With Myogenic Differentiation Involving Bone and Soft Tissues. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100518. [PMID: 38763420 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100518] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Appropriate classification of fusion-driven bone and soft tissue neoplasms continues to evolve, often relying on the careful integration of morphologic findings with immunohistochemical, molecular, and clinical data. Herein, we present 3 cases of a morphologically distinct myxoid mesenchymal neoplasm with myogenic differentiation and novel CRTC1::MRTFB (formerly MKL2) gene fusion. Three tumors occurred in 1 male and 2 female patients with a median age of 72 years (range: 28-78). Tumors involved the left iliac bone, the right thigh, and the left perianal region with a median size of 4.0 cm (4.0-7.6 cm). Although 1 tumor presented as an incidental finding, the other 2 tumors were noted, given their persistent growth. At the time of the last follow-up, 1 patient was alive with unresected disease at 6 months, 1 patient was alive without evidence of disease at 12 months after surgery, and 1 patient died of disease 24 months after diagnosis. On histologic sections, the tumors showed multinodular growth and were composed of variably cellular spindle to round-shaped cells with distinct brightly eosinophilic cytoplasm embedded within a myxoid stroma. One tumor showed overt smooth muscle differentiation. Cytologic atypia and mitotic activity ranged from minimal (2 cases) to high (1 case). By immunohistochemistry, the neoplastic cells expressed focal smooth muscle actin, h-caldesmon, and desmin in all tested cases. Skeletal muscle markers were negative. Next-generation sequencing detected nearly identical CRTC1::MRTFB gene fusions in all cases. We suggest that myxoid mesenchymal tumors with myogenic differentiation harboring a CRTC1::MRTFB fusion may represent a previously unrecognized, distinctive entity that involves soft tissue and bone. Continued identification of these novel myxoid neoplasms with myogenic differentiation will be important in determining appropriate classification, understanding biologic potential, and creating treatment paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Warmke
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Christopher D Collier
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Paul J Niziolek
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Musculoskeletal Imaging, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jessica L Davis
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ying S Zou
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Robert C Bell
- Department of Pathology, Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Yu-Wei Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Lauren Duckworth
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Josephine K Dermawan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Karen J Fritchie
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Carina A Dehner
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Dundr P, Machado-Lopez A, Mas A, Věcková Z, Mára M, Richtárová A, Matěj R, Stružinská I, Kendall Bártů M, Němejcová K, Dvořák J, Hojný J. Uterine leiomyoma with RAD51B::NUDT3 fusion: a report of 2 cases. Virchows Arch 2024; 484:1015-1022. [PMID: 37466765 PMCID: PMC11186871 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-023-03603-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Three main uterine leiomyoma molecular subtypes include tumors with MED12 mutation, molecular aberrations leading to HMGA2 overexpression, and biallelic loss of FH. These aberrations are mutually exclusive and can be found in approximately 80-90% of uterine leiomyoma, in which they seem to be a driver event. Approximately 10% of uterine leiomyoma, however, does not belong to any of these categories. Uterine leiomyoma with HMGA2 overexpression is the most common subtype in cellular and second most common category of usual leiomyoma. In some of these tumors, rearrangement of HMGA2 gene is present. The most common fusion partner of HMGA2 gene is RAD51B. Limited data suggests that RAD51B fusions with other genes may be present in uterine leiomyoma. In our study, we described two cases of uterine leiomyoma with RAD51B::NUDT3 fusion, which occur in one case of usual and one case of highly cellular leiomyoma. In both cases, no other driver molecular aberrations were found. The results of our study showed that RAD51::NUDT3 fusion can occur in both usual and cellular leiomyoma. RAD51B may be a fusion partner of multiple genes other than HMGA2 and HMGA1. In these cases, RAD51B fusion seems to be mutually exclusive with other driver aberrations defining molecular leiomyoma subtypes. RAD51B::NUDT3 fusion should be added to the spectrum of fusions which may occur in uterine leiomyoma, which can be of value especially in cellular leiomyoma in the context of differential diagnosis against endometrial stromal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Dundr
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Alba Machado-Lopez
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Aymara Mas
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Zuzana Věcková
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Mára
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adéla Richtárová
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radoslav Matěj
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology, Charles University, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Stružinská
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Kendall Bártů
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Němejcová
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Dvořák
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hojný
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
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Olson SL, Akbar RJ, Gorniak A, Fuhr LI, Borahay MA. Hypoxia in uterine fibroids: role in pathobiology and therapeutic opportunities. OXYGEN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 4:236-252. [PMID: 38957794 PMCID: PMC11218552 DOI: 10.3390/oxygen4020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Uterine fibroids are the most common tumors in females affecting up to 70% of women world-wide, yet targeted therapeutic options are limited. Oxidative stress has recently surfaced as a key driver of fibroid pathogenesis and provides insights into hypoxia-induced cell transformation, extracellular matrix pathophysiology, hypoxic cell signaling cascades, and uterine biology. Hypoxia drives fibroid tumorigenesis through (1) promoting myometrial stem cell proliferation, (2) causing DNA damage propelling transformation of stem cells to tumor initiating cells, and (3) driving excess extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Common fibroid-associated DNA mutations include MED12 mutations, HMGA2 overexpression, and Fumarate hydratase loss of function. Evidence suggests an interaction between hypoxia signaling and these mutations. Fibroid development and growth are promoted by hypoxia-triggered cell signaling via various pathways including HIF-1, TGFβ, and Wnt/β-catenin. Fibroid-associated hypoxia persists due to antioxidant imbalance, ECM accumulation, and growth beyond adequate vascular supply. Current clinically available fibroid treatments do not take advantage of hypoxia-targeting therapies. Growing pre-clinical and clinical studies identify ROS inhibitors, anti-HIF-1 agents, Wnt/β-catenin inhibition, and TGFβ cascade inhibitors as agents that may reduce fibroid development and growth through targeting hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney L. Olson
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | | | - Adrianna Gorniak
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Laura I. Fuhr
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Mostafa A. Borahay
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
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Kiesler ZG, Hunter MI, Balboula AZ, Patterson AL. Periostin's role in uterine leiomyoma development: a mini-review on the potential periostin poses as a pharmacological intervention for uterine leiomyoma. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:1825-1831. [PMID: 38441600 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-024-07435-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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas, also known as fibroids or myomas, occur in an estimated 70-80% of reproductive aged women. Many experience debilitating symptoms including pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. Current treatment options are limited in preserving fertility, with many opting for sterilizing hysterectomy as a form of treatment. Currently, surgical interventions include hysterectomy, myomectomy, and uterine artery embolization in addition to endometrial ablation to control AUB. Non-surgical hormonal interventions, including GnRH agonists, are connotated with negative side effects and are unacceptable for women desiring fertility. Periostin, a regulatory extra cellular matrix (ECM) protein, has been found to be expressed in various gynecological diseases including leiomyomas. We previously determined that periostin over-expression in immortalized myometrial cells led to the development of a leiomyoma-like cellular phenotype. Periostin is induced by TGF-β, signals through the PI3K/AKT pathway, induces collagen production, and mediates wound repair and fibrosis, all of which are implicated in leiomyoma pathology. Periostin has been linked to other gynecological diseases including ovarian cancer and endometriosis and is being investigated as pharmacological target for treating ovarian cancer, post-surgical scarring, and numerous other fibrotic conditions. In this review, we provide discussion linking pathological inflammation and wound repair, with a TGF-β-periostin-collagen signaling in the pathogenesis of leiomyomas, and ultimately the potential of periostin as a druggable target to treat leiomyomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra G Kiesler
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Mark I Hunter
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Ahmed Z Balboula
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Amanda L Patterson
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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Kousar A, Wald AI, Heayn M, Cardillo ND, Elishaev E, Bhargava R. Dedifferentiated Leiomyosarcoma-morphology, Immunohistochemistry, and Molecular Findings of a Case and Review of Literature. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2024; 43:264-270. [PMID: 37922938 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0000000000000986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
We present a case of uterine dedifferentiated leiomyosarcoma in a 42-yr-old woman who presented with severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. The mass measured 10.5 cm. The "differentiated" tumor component ranged from leiomyoma-like areas to smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential to frank leiomyosarcoma. The undifferentiated tumor component showed extreme hypercellularity, intermediate to large polygonal cells, with significant cytologic atypia and numerous mitotic figures (67 mitotic figures per 10 high-power fields). This undifferentiated component imperceptibly blended into more recognizable smooth muscle areas. In contrast to the differentiated component, the undifferentiated component lacked staining for smooth muscle markers. Targeted next-generation sequencing revealed TP53 , NF1 , and NOTCH2 mutations in both differentiated and undifferentiated components. In addition, the undifferentiated tumor component also harbored multiple additional chromosomal abnormalities including gains in 1q, 22q, and copy number losses in 3p, 9p, and 11q. The undifferentiated tumor component was also identified in an adhesion involving the small bowel and omentum at complete staging. The patient was subsequently treated with 6 cycles of adriamycin chemotherapy. Computerized tomography scan after 3 cycles showed no residual disease. Published literature regarding dedifferentiated leiomyosarcoma is reviewed.
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Pinto A. Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors: An Overview. Adv Anat Pathol 2024:00125480-990000000-00103. [PMID: 38647238 DOI: 10.1097/pap.0000000000000446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Uterine smooth muscle tumors are a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal neoplasms with multiple histologic variants and distinct biological behaviors. Pathologic classification (benign, uncertain malignant potential, malignant) relies on the evaluation of mitotic index, necrosis, and degree of cytologic atypia, with different thresholds based on each subtype. Immunohistochemistry and other ancillary studies may be necessary to establish the diagnosis in a subset of cases, given the morphologic overlap with other mesenchymal neoplasms, including low-grade and high-grade endometrial stromal tumors, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors, and PEComa. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have refined the classification of smooth muscle tumors, but most cases are diagnosed purely on histologic grounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Pinto
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
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10
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Matalliotakis M, Matalliotaki C, Tsakiridis I, Dagklis T, Michos G, Romanos A, Krithinakis K, Kalogiannidis IA. Co-existence of Ovarian Teratomas With Other Gynecological Tumors. Cureus 2024; 16:e58068. [PMID: 38737998 PMCID: PMC11088460 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58068] [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] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aims to investigate the co-existence of ovarian teratomas with other benign or malignant gynecological tumors in women who underwent gynecological surgery. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all women who underwent gynecological surgery over a 15-year period. Pre-operative, surgical, and histological records were obtained from women who presented with gynecological pathology, aiming to discover a possible link between ovarian teratomas and other gynecological tumors. RESULTS Of the total patient sample, 288 (8.2%) had a mature teratoma, and 9 (0.3%) had an immature teratoma. The mean age was 38.0±13.3 years and 30.9±11.1 years, respectively. Women with mature teratoma showed a positive correlation with struma ovarii (SO, p=0.001). Moreover, we reported a positive linear relationship between struma ovarri and thecoma. Of the 288 women with a mature teratoma, 1 (0.3%) had co-existent endometrioid ovarian cancer, and 1 (0.3%) had borderline cancer. There were 14 women (4.9%) with a co-existent serous cystadenoma, 7 (2.4%) with a mucin cystadenoma, 1 (0.3%) with a thecoma, 4 (1.4%) with struma ovarii, 3 (1.0%) had Brenner cyst, 3 (1.0%) had ovarian fibroma, 2 had endometriosis (0.7%), and 8 (2.8%) had endometriomas. Of a total of nine women with immature teratomas, one (11.1%) had a serous cystadenoma. CONCLUSIONS Ovarian teratomas may co-exist with other gynecological diseases. Our study reports various cases of the co-existence of several gynecological tumors with teratomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ioannis Tsakiridis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | - Themistoklis Dagklis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | - Georgios Michos
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | - Andreas Romanos
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | | | - Ioannis A Kalogiannidis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
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11
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Wei S, Pei J, Belser P, Lee T, Farma JM, Patchefsky AS, Flieder DB, Montgomery EA. Novel MIR143HG::PLAG1 gene fusion identified in a rectal myxoid leiomyosarcoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23239. [PMID: 38656544 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23239] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Myxoid leiomyosarcoma (MLS) is a rare but well-documented tumor that often portends a poor prognosis compared to the conventional leiomyosarcoma. This rare sarcoma has been reported in the uterus, external female genitalia, soft tissue, and other locations. However, a definite rectal MLS has not been reported. Recently five cases of MLS were reported to harbor PLAG1 fusions (TRPS1::PLAG1, RAD51B::PLAG1, and TRIM13::PLAG1). In this report, we present a case of rectal MLS with a novel MIR143HG::PLAG1 fusion detected by RNA next-generation sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuanzeng Wei
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jianming Pei
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul Belser
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital, East Norriton, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Teresa Lee
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Farma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arthur S Patchefsky
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Douglas B Flieder
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Montgomery
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Upadhyay S, Dubey PK. Gene variants polymorphisms and uterine leiomyoma: an updated review. Front Genet 2024; 15:1330807. [PMID: 38572418 PMCID: PMC10987786 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1330807] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma, commonly referred to as fibroids, is a benign tumor that develops in the muscular wall of the uterus. These growths are non-cancerous and can vary in size, ranging from tiny nodules to larger masses. Uterine leiomyomas often occur during a woman's reproductive years and can lead to symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure on nearby organs. While the exact cause is not fully understood, hormonal factors, particularly estrogen and progesterone, are believed to play a role in their development. The exploration of connections between genetic variants and uterine leiomyoma has captivated scientific attention for numerous years. The results from investigations remain a subject of intrigue within the scientific community. To date, the findings regarding the relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and uterine leiomyoma have exhibited some inconsistencies. However, amidst these inconsistencies, several promising outcomes have emerged that hold the potential to shape future research endeavors. These promising leads could pave the way for the development of innovative targeted therapies and novel prognostic biomarkers. This review specifically centers on accentuating the existing literature data concerning genetic variants that have been explored for their potential connections to uterine leiomyoma. Additionally, it underscores the prospects of employing genetic variations as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for individuals diagnosed with uterine leiomyoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pawan K. Dubey
- Centre for Genetic Disorders, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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13
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Tamehisa T, Sato S, Sakai T, Maekawa R, Tanabe M, Ito K, Sugino N. Establishment of Noninvasive Prediction Models for the Diagnosis of Uterine Leiomyoma Subtypes. Obstet Gynecol 2024; 143:358-365. [PMID: 38061038 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish prediction models for the diagnosis of the subtypes of uterine leiomyomas by machine learning using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. METHODS This is a prospective observational study. Ninety uterine leiomyoma samples were obtained from 51 patients who underwent surgery for uterine leiomyomas. Seventy-one samples (49 mediator complex subunit 12 [ MED12 ] mutation-positive and 22 MED12 mutation-negative leiomyomas) were assigned to the primary data set to establish prediction models. Nineteen samples (13 MED12 mutation-positive and 6 MED12 mutation-negative leiomyomas) were assigned to the unknown testing data set to validate the prediction model utility. The tumor signal intensity was quantified by seven MRI sequences (T2-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient, magnetic resonance elastography, T1 mapping, magnetization transfer contrast, T2* blood oxygenation level dependent, and arterial spin labeling) that can estimate the collagen and water contents of uterine leiomyomas. After surgery, the MED12 mutations were genotyped. These results were used to establish prediction models based on machine learning by applying support vector classification and logistic regression for the diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma subtypes. The performance of the prediction models was evaluated by cross-validation within the primary data set and then finally evaluated by external validation using the unknown testing data set. RESULTS The signal intensities of five MRI sequences (T2-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient, T1 mapping, magnetization transfer contrast, and T2* blood oxygenation level dependent) differed significantly between the subtypes. In cross-validation within the primary data set, both machine learning models (support vector classification and logistic regression) based on the five MRI sequences were highly predictive of the subtypes (area under the curve [AUC] 0.974 and 0.988, respectively). External validation with the unknown testing data set confirmed that both models were able to predict the subtypes for all samples (AUC 1.000, 100.0% accuracy). Our prediction models with T2-weighted imaging alone also showed high accuracy to discriminate the uterine leiomyoma subtypes. CONCLUSION We established noninvasive prediction models for the diagnosis of the subtypes of uterine leiomyomas by machine learning using MRI data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Tamehisa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Radiology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
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14
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Laganà AS, Romano A, Vanhie A, Bafort C, Götte M, Aaltonen LA, Mas A, De Bruyn C, Van den Bosch T, Coosemans A, Guerriero S, Haimovich S, Tanos V, Bongers M, Barra F, Al-Hendy A, Chiantera V, Leone Roberti Maggiore U. Management of Uterine Fibroids and Sarcomas: The Palermo Position Paper. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2024; 89:73-86. [PMID: 38382486 DOI: 10.1159/000537730] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uterine fibroids are benign monoclonal tumors originating from the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium, constituting the most prevalent pathology within the female genital tract. Uterine sarcomas, although rare, still represent a diagnostic challenge and should be managed in centers with adequate expertise in gynecological oncology. OBJECTIVES This article is aimed to summarize and discuss cutting-edge elements about the diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids and sarcomas. METHODS This paper is a report of the lectures presented in an expert meeting about uterine fibroids and sarcomas held in Palermo in February 2023. OUTCOME Overall, the combination of novel molecular pathways may help combine biomarkers and expert ultrasound for the differential diagnosis of uterine fibroids and sarcomas. On the one hand, molecular and cellular maps of uterine fibroids and matched myometrium may enhance our understanding of tumor development compared to histologic analysis and whole tissue transcriptomics, and support the development of minimally invasive treatment strategies; on the other hand, ultrasound imaging allows in most of the cases a proper mapping the fibroids and to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions, which need appropriate management. CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK The choice of uterine fibroid management, including pharmacological approaches, surgical treatment, or other strategies, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), should be carefully considered, taking into account the characteristics of the patient and reproductive prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Simone Laganà
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Paolo Giaccone" Hospital, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arne Vanhie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration - Woman and Child, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celine Bafort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration - Woman and Child, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martin Götte
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Munster, Germany
| | - Lauri A Aaltonen
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aymara Mas
- Carlos Simon Foundation - INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Christine De Bruyn
- Department of Development and Regeneration - Woman and Child, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Thierry Van den Bosch
- Department of Development and Regeneration - Woman and Child, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefano Guerriero
- Centro Integrato di Procreazione Medicalmente Assistita (PMA) e Diagnostica Ostetrico-Ginecologica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria-Policlinico Duilio Casula, Monserrato, Italy
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sergio Haimovich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laniado University Hospital, Netanya, Israel
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Vasilios Tanos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaeio Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Marlies Bongers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Fabio Barra
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, P.O. "Ospedale del Tigullio" - ASL4, Metropolitan Area of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Vito Chiantera
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, National Cancer Institute - IRCCS - Fondazione "G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
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Buyukcelebi K, Duval AJ, Abdula F, Elkafas H, Seker-Polat F, Adli M. Integrating leiomyoma genetics, epigenomics, and single-cell transcriptomics reveals causal genetic variants, genes, and cell types. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1169. [PMID: 38326302 PMCID: PMC10850163 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45382-0] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Uterine fibroids (UF), that can disrupt normal uterine function and cause significant physical and psychological health problems, are observed in nearly 70% of women of reproductive age. Although heritable genetics is a significant risk factor, specific genetic variations and gene targets causally associated with UF are poorly understood. Here, we performed a meta-analysis on existing fibroid genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and integrated the identified risk loci and potentially causal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with epigenomics, transcriptomics, 3D chromatin organization from diverse cell types as well as primary UF patient's samples. This integrative analysis identifies 24 UF-associated risk loci that potentially target 394 genes, of which 168 are differentially expressed in UF tumors. Critically, integrating this data with single-cell gene expression data from UF patients reveales the causal cell types with aberrant expression of these target genes. Lastly, CRISPR-based epigenetic repression (dCas9-KRAB) or activation (dCas9-p300) in a UF disease-relevant cell type further refines and narrows down the potential gene targets. Our findings and the methodological approach indicate the effectiveness of integrating multi-omics data with locus-specific epigenetic editing approaches for identifying gene- and celt type-targets of disease-relevant risk loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadir Buyukcelebi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander J Duval
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fatih Abdula
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hoda Elkafas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fidan Seker-Polat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mazhar Adli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Chang HY, Dermawan J, Sharma A, Dickson B, Turashvili G, Torrence D, Nucci M, Chiang S, Oliva E, Kirchner M, Stenzinger A, Mechtersheimer G, Antonescu C. Sarcomas With RAD51B Fusions Are Associated With a Heterogeneous Phenotype. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100402. [PMID: 38141829 PMCID: PMC11251009 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100402] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
RAD51B-rearranged sarcomas are rare neoplasms that exhibit a heterogeneous morphology. To date, 6 cases have been reported, all involving the uterus, including 4 perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) and 2 leiomyosarcomas (LMS). In this study, we describe the morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of 8 additional sarcomas with RAD51B rearrangement, including the first extrauterine example. All patients were women with a median age of 57 years at presentation. Seven tumors originated in the uterus, and one in the lower extremity soft tissue, with a median tumor size of 12 cm. Histologically, 4 tumors showed predominantly spindle cell morphology with eosinophilic fibrillary cytoplasm, with or without nuclear pleomorphism, whereas 2 tumors exhibited pleomorphic epithelioid cells, featuring clear to eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm. Two neoplasms exhibited undifferentiated cytomorphology, including one with uniform small blue round cells. All tumors showed high-grade cytologic atypia and high mitotic activity (median: 30/10 high-power fields), whereas coagulative necrosis was noted in 6 cases and lymphovascular invasion in 2. By immunohistochemistry, 2 showed myoid and melanocytic markers in keeping with PEComa, whereas 4 cases were only positive for smooth muscle markers consistent with LMS (including 3 myxoid). The remaining 2 cases had a nonspecific immunoprofile. Five cases tested by targeted RNA sequencing (Archer FusionPlex, Illumina TruSight) showed different fusion partners (HMGA2, PDDC1, and CEP170). RAD51B rearrangements were identified by FISH in the remaining 3 cases. Targeted DNA sequencing in 2 cases was negative for TSC gene alterations. Clinical outcome, available in 5 patients (median follow-up, 19 months), revealed 3 local recurrences, 2 lung metastases, and 4 deaths due to disease. Our results expand the spectrum of sarcomas with RAD51B fusions, demonstrating variable clinical presentations, morphologic spectrum, and fusion partners. These tumors have a predilection for a uterine location, with either LMS, PEComa, or undifferentiated phenotypes, and are associated with an aggressive clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yi Chang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Josephine Dermawan
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Aarti Sharma
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brendan Dickson
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gulisa Turashvili
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dianne Torrence
- Department of Pathology, Northwell Health, New York, New York
| | - Marisa Nucci
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah Chiang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Esther Oliva
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Martina Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Cristina Antonescu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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Amendola ILS, Spann M, Segars J, Singh B. The Mediator Complex Subunit 12 (MED-12) Gene and Uterine Fibroids: a Systematic Review. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:291-308. [PMID: 37516697 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01297-7] [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] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas are the most common tumor of reproductive-age women worldwide. Although benign, uterine fibroids cause significant morbidity and adversely impact the quality of life for affected women. Somatic mutations in the exon 2 of the mediator complex subunit 12 (MED-12) gene represent the most common single gene mutation associated with uterine leiomyomas. The objective of this review was to evaluate the current role of MED-12 mutation in the pathophysiology of uterine fibroids, to assess the prevalence of MED-12 mutation among different populations, and to identify the most common subtypes of MED-12 mutations found in uterine fibroids. A comprehensive search was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, and the Web of Science. English-language publications that evaluated MED-12 mutation and uterine fibroids in humans, whether experimental or clinical, were considered. We identified 380 studies, of which 23 were included, comprising 1353 patients and 1872 fibroid tumors. Of the total number of tumors analyzed, 1045 (55.8%) harbored a MED-12 mutation. Among the 23 studies included, the frequency of MED-12 mutation varied from 31.1 to 80% in fibroid samples. The most common type of MED-12 mutation was a heterozygous missense mutation affecting codon 44 of exon 2, specifically the nucleotide 131. Studies reported that MED-12 mutation acts by increasing levels of AKT and disrupting the cyclin C-CDK8/19 kinase activity. The overall average prevalence of MED-12 mutation in uterine fibroids was found to be 55.8% across the global population, though the frequency varied greatly among different countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Landsteiner Sampaio Amendola
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Sciences & Women's Health Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross Research Building, Room 624, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Marcus Spann
- Informationist Services, Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - James Segars
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Sciences & Women's Health Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross Research Building, Room 624, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Bhuchitra Singh
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Sciences & Women's Health Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross Research Building, Room 624, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Ali M, Ciebiera M, Wlodarczyk M, Alkhrait S, Maajid E, Yang Q, Hsia SM, Al-Hendy A. Current and Emerging Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids. Drugs 2023; 83:1649-1675. [PMID: 37922098 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01958-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Uterine fibroids are the most common benign neoplasm of the female reproductive tract in reproductive age women. Their prevalence is age dependent and can be detected in up to 80% of women by the age of 50 years. Patients affected by uterine fibroids may experience a significant physical, emotional, social, and financial toll as well as losses in their quality of life. Unfortunately, curative hysterectomy abolishes future pregnancy potential, while uterine-sparing surgical and radiologic alternatives are variously associated with reduced long-term reproductive function and/or high tumor recurrence rates. Recently, pharmacological treatment against uterine fibroids have been widely considered by patients to limit uterine fibroid-associated symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding. This hormonal therapy seemed effective through blocking the stimulatory effects of gonadal steroid hormones on uterine fibroid growth. However, they are contraindicated in women actively pursuing pregnancy and otherwise effective only during use, which is limited because of long-term safety and other concerns. Accordingly, there is an urgent unmet need for safe, durable, and fertility-compatible non-surgical treatment options for uterine fibroids. In this review article, we cover the current pharmacological treatments for uterine fibroids including their comparable efficacy and side effects as well as emerging safe natural compounds with promising anti-uterine fibroid effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Michał Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, 00-189, Poland
| | - Marta Wlodarczyk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
- Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Samar Alkhrait
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Elise Maajid
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Shih-Min Hsia
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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Creswell L, Doddy F, Manning C, Nazir SF, Lindow SW, Lynch C, O'Gorman N. Cell free DNA screening for fetal aneuploidy in Ireland: An observational study of outcomes following insufficient fetal fraction. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2023; 290:143-149. [PMID: 37797414 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.09.023] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine maternal factors associated with low fetal fraction (FF). To determine the proportion of women who receive a result from repeat non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) testing. To identify any significant associations between pregnancy interventions or outcomes and low FF. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective observational study of 4465 women undergoing antenatal screening by targeted cell free DNA (cfDNA) testing at an Irish tertiary maternity hospital between January 2017 and December 2022. Patients who failed to obtain a result after the first NIPT were analyzed in two cohorts; those who received a result on a repeat sample and those who failed to ever achieve a result despite a second, third or fourth cfDNA test. RESULTS Risk of insufficient FF significantly increased with elevated maternal BMI (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01-1.13, p = 0.03) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.19-9.4, p = 0.02). Women with no result were more likely to have diagnostic invasive testing (p < 0.01), but had no increased risk of aneuploidy. Repeated failed NIPT attempts due to low FF were significantly associated with the subsequent development of hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (p = 0.03). Greater than 70% of patients who were unsuccessful in a first or second attempt at NIPT due to low FF yielded a result following a second or third sample. CONCLUSIONS High BMI and IVF conceptions are greater contributors to low FF than fetal aneuploidy. Repeating NIPT yields a result in greater than 70% of cases. WHAT'S ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Fetal fraction (FF) in prenatal cfDNA testing is influenced by maternal and pregnancy factors including body mass index (BMI) and IVF. Low FF has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including fetal aneuploidy and hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: In a large Irish population, increasing maternal BMI and in-vitro fertilization are the most significant contributors to repeated test failures due to low FF. Greater than 70% of patients with test failure due to low FF will receive a result on 2nd and 3rd NIPT attempts. Patients with no result from NIPT were more likely to undergo diagnostic invasive testing but the risk of aneuploidy was not significantly increased.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F Doddy
- The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Manning
- The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S F Nazir
- The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - C Lynch
- The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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20
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Hampton G, Kim J, Edwards TL, Hellwege JN, Velez Edwards DR. Uterine leiomyomata and keloids fibrosis origins: a mini-review of fibroproliferative diseases. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C817-C822. [PMID: 37642233 PMCID: PMC10635651 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00181.2023] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Diseases such as uterine leiomyomata (fibroids and benign tumors of the uterus) and keloids (raised scars) may share common etiology. Fibroids and keloids can co-occur in individuals, and both are highly heritable, suggesting they may share common genetic risk factors. Fibroproliferative diseases are common and characterized by scarring and overgrowth of connective tissue, impacting multiple organ systems. These conditions both have racial disparities in prevalence, with the highest prevalence observed among individuals of African ancestry. Several fibroproliferative diseases are more severe and common in populations of sub-Saharan Africa. This mini-review aims to provide a broad overview of the current knowledge of the evolutionary origins and causes of fibroproliferative diseases. We also discuss current hypotheses proposing that the increased prevalence of these diseases in African-derived populations is due to the selection for profibrotic alleles that are protective against helminth infections and provide examples from knowledge of uterine fibroid and keloid research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Hampton
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Division of Quantitative Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Jeewoo Kim
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Division of Quantitative Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Todd L Edwards
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Jacklyn N Hellwege
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Digna R Velez Edwards
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Division of Quantitative Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
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21
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Gracia M, Rius M, Carmona F. Clinical relevance of uterine fibroids: Epidemiology, risk and protective factors, and pathophysiology. Med Clin (Barc) 2023; 161 Suppl 1:S1-S4. [PMID: 37923508 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Gracia
- Departamento de Ginecología. Institut Clínic de Ginecologia, Obstetrícia i Neonatologia, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS). Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
| | - Mariona Rius
- Departamento de Ginecología. Institut Clínic de Ginecologia, Obstetrícia i Neonatologia, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS). Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | - Francisco Carmona
- Departamento de Ginecología. Institut Clínic de Ginecologia, Obstetrícia i Neonatologia, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS). Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
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22
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Sheng QJ, Tan Y, Zhang L, Wu ZP, Wang B, He XY. Heterogeneous graph framework for predicting the association between lncRNA and disease and case on uterine fibroid. Comput Biol Med 2023; 165:107331. [PMID: 37619322 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107331] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in various cellular processes, including gene expression, chromatin remodeling, and protein localization. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been linked to several diseases, making it essential to understand their functions in disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. However, traditional experimental methods for studying lncRNA function are time-consuming, expensive, and offer limited insights. In recent years, computational methods have emerged as valuable tools for predicting lncRNA functions and their associations with diseases. However, many existing methods focus on constructing separate networks for lncRNA and disease similarity, resulting in information loss and insufficient processing capacity for isolated nodes. To address this, we developed 'RGLD' by combining Random Walk with restarting (RWR), Graph Neural Network (GNN), and Graph Attention Networks (GAT) to predict lncRNA-disease associations in a heterogeneous network. RGLD achieved an impressive AUC of 0.88, outperforming other methods. It can also predict novel associations between lncRNAs and diseases. RGLD identified HOTAIR, MEG3, and PVT1 as lncRNAs associated with uterine fibroids. Biological experiments directly or indirectly verified the involvement of these three lncRNAs in uterine fibroids, validating the accuracy of RGLD's predictions. Furthermore, we extensively discussed the functions of the target genes regulated by these lncRNAs in uterine fibroids, providing evidence for their role in the development and progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Jing Sheng
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Tan
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Western Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyuan Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Zhi-Ping Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Beiying Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ying He
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai, China.
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23
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Zuberi A, Huang Y, Dotts AJ, Wei H, Coon JS, Liu S, Iizuka T, Wu O, Sotos O, Saini P, Chakravarti D, Boyer TG, Dai Y, Bulun SE, Yin P. MED12 mutation activates the tryptophan/kynurenine/AHR pathway to promote growth of uterine leiomyomas. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e171305. [PMID: 37607000 PMCID: PMC10561729 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.171305] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas cause heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, and pregnancy loss in millions of women worldwide. Driver mutations in the transcriptional mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) gene in uterine myometrial cells initiate 70% of leiomyomas that grow in a progesterone-dependent manner. We showed a distinct chromatin occupancy landscape of MED12 in mutant MED12 (mut-MED12) versus WT-MED12 leiomyomas. Integration of cistromic and transcriptomics data identified tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) as the top mut-MED12 target gene that was significantly upregulated in mut-MED12 leiomyomas when compared with adjacent myometrium and WT-MED12 leiomyomas. TDO2 catalyzes the conversion of tryptophan to kynurenine, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligand that we confirmed to be significantly elevated in mut-MED12 leiomyomas. Treatment of primary mut-MED12 leiomyoma cells with tryptophan or kynurenine stimulated AHR nuclear translocation, increased proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and induced AHR-target gene expression, whereas blocking the TDO2/kynurenine/AHR pathway by siRNA or pharmacological treatment abolished these effects. Progesterone receptors regulated the expression of AHR and its target genes. In vivo, TDO2 expression positively correlated with the expression of genes crucial for leiomyoma growth. In summary, activation of the TDO2/kynurenine/AHR pathway selectively in mut-MED12 leiomyomas promoted tumor growth and may inform the future development of targeted treatments and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azna Zuberi
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yongchao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ariel J. Dotts
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Helen Wei
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John S. Coon
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Shimeng Liu
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Takashi Iizuka
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Olivia Wu
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Olivia Sotos
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Priyanka Saini
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Debabrata Chakravarti
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas G. Boyer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yang Dai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Serdar E. Bulun
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ping Yin
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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24
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Guijarro LG, Justo Bermejo FJ, Boaru DL, De Castro-Martinez P, De Leon-Oliva D, Fraile-Martínez O, Garcia-Montero C, Alvarez-Mon M, Toledo-Lobo MDV, Ortega MA. Is Insulin Receptor Substrate4 (IRS4) a Platform Involved in the Activation of Several Oncogenes? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4651. [PMID: 37760618 PMCID: PMC10526421 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The IRS (insulin receptor substrate) family of scaffold proteins includes insulin receptor substrate-4 (IRS4), which is expressed only in a few cell lines, including human kidney, brain, liver, and thymus and some cell lines. Its N-terminus carries a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain and a pleckstrin homology domain (PH), which distinguishes it as a member of this family. In this paper, we collected data about the molecular mechanisms that explain the relevance of IRS4 in the development of cancer and identify IRS4 differences that distinguish it from IRS1 and IRS2. Search engines and different databases, such as PubMed, UniProt, ENSEMBL and SCANSITE 4.0, were used. We used the name of the protein that it encodes "(IRS-4 or IRS4)", or the combination of these terms with the word "(cancer)" or "(human)", for searches. Terms related to specific tumor pathologies ("breast", "ovary", "colon", "lung", "lymphoma", etc.) were also used. Despite the lack of knowledge on IRS4, it has been reported that some cancers and benign tumors are characterized by high levels of IRS-4 expression. Specifically, the role of IRS-4 in different types of digestive tract neoplasms, gynecological tumors, lung cancers, melanomas, hematological tumors, and other less common types of cancers has been shown. IRS4 differs from IRS1 and IRS2 in that can activate several oncogenes that regulate the PI3K/Akt cascade, such as BRK and FER, which are characterized by tyrosine kinase-like activity without regulation via extracellular ligands. In addition, IRS4 can activate the CRKL oncogene, which is an adapter protein that regulates the MAP kinase cascade. Knowledge of the role played by IRS4 in cancers at the molecular level, specifically as a platform for oncogenes, may enable the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis G. Guijarro
- Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of System Biology (CIBEREHD), University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.B.); (D.D.L.-O.); (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.-M.); (M.A.O.)
| | | | - Diego Liviu Boaru
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.B.); (D.D.L.-O.); (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.-M.); (M.A.O.)
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain;
| | - Patricia De Castro-Martinez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain;
| | - Diego De Leon-Oliva
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.B.); (D.D.L.-O.); (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.-M.); (M.A.O.)
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain;
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martínez
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.B.); (D.D.L.-O.); (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.-M.); (M.A.O.)
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain;
| | - Cielo Garcia-Montero
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.B.); (D.D.L.-O.); (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.-M.); (M.A.O.)
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain;
| | - Melchor Alvarez-Mon
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.B.); (D.D.L.-O.); (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.-M.); (M.A.O.)
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain;
- Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology, Oncology Service and Internal Medicine (CIBEREHD), University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, 28806 Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - María del Val Toledo-Lobo
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.B.); (D.D.L.-O.); (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.-M.); (M.A.O.)
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain;
| | - Miguel A. Ortega
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.B.); (D.D.L.-O.); (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.-M.); (M.A.O.)
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain;
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Principe de Asturias University Hospital, 28806 Alcala de Henares, Spain
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25
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Defran AJ, Forestier C, Morgan E, Thomas M. Uterine Leiomyoma in the Context of Uterine Didelphys: A Case Report. Cureus 2023; 15:e44791. [PMID: 37809224 PMCID: PMC10558276 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44791] [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] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas are one of the most common reproductive pathologies in born females. The majority of women within reproductive age will develop a leiomyoma, most of which will be asymptomatic. Though there has been extensive research regarding this pathology alone, there is more to be learned about leiomyomas that affect women with other comorbidities. This case study reviews the medical and surgical management of a woman born with two uteri, medically termed congenital uterus didelphys. Within her reproductive years, she develops symptomatic leiomyomas in each of her uteri and seeks surgical management. This case study aims to widen the scientific knowledge surrounding these subsets of women with a common diagnosis superimposed on an extremely rare diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asilis J Defran
- General Surgery, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, USA
| | - Chancée Forestier
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, USA
| | - Ene Morgan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, USA
| | - Michelle Thomas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, USA
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26
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George JW, Cancino RA, Miller JLG, Qiu F, Lin Q, Rowley MJ, Chennathukuzhi VM, Davis JS. Characterization of m 6A modifiers and RNA modifications in uterine fibroids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.07.552278. [PMID: 37609293 PMCID: PMC10441280 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.07.552278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma or fibroids are the most common prevalent noncancerous tumors of the uterine muscle layer. Common symptoms associated with fibroids include pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, and pelvic pressure. These tumors are a leading cause of gynecological care but lack long-term therapy as the origin and development of fibroids are not well understood. Several next-generation sequencing technologies have been performed to identify the underlying genetic and epigenetic basis of fibroids. However, there remains a systemic gap in our understanding of molecular and biological process that define uterine fibroids. Recent epitranscriptomics studies have unraveled RNA modifications that are associated with all forms of RNA and are thought to influence both normal physiological functions and the progression of diseases. We quantified RNA expression profiles by analyzing publicly available RNA-seq data for 15 known epigenetic mediators to identify their expression profile in uterine fibroids compared to myometrium. To validate our findings, we performed RT-qPCR on a separate cohort of uterine fibroids targeting these modifiers confirming our RNA-seq data. We then examined protein profiles of key m6A modifiers in fibroids and their matched myometrium. In concordance with our RNA expression profiles, no significant differences were observed in these proteins in uterine fibroids compared to myometrium. To determine abundance of RNA modifications, mRNA and small RNA from fibroids and matched myometrium were analyzed by UHPLC MS/MS. In addition to the prevalent N6-methyladenosine (m6A), we identified 11 other known modifiers but did not identify any aberrant expression in fibroids. We then mined a previously published dataset and identified differential expression of m6A modifiers that were specific to fibroid genetic sub-type. Our analysis also identified m6A consensus motifs on genes previously identified to be dysregulated in uterine fibroids. Overall, using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, RNA expression and protein profiles, we characterized and identified differentially expressed m6A modifiers in relation to driver mutations. Despite the use of several different approaches, we identified limited differential expression of RNA modifiers and associated modifications in uterine fibroids. However, considering the highly heterogenous genomic and cellular nature of fibroids, and the possible contribution of single molecule m6A modifications to fibroid pathology, there is a need for greater in-depth characterization of m6A marks and modifiers in a larger and varied patient cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitu W. George
- Olson Center for Women’s Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, 4101 Woolworth Ave, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
| | - Rosa A. Cancino
- Olson Center for Women’s Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Griffin Miller
- Olson Center for Women’s Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Fang Qiu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Qishan Lin
- RNA Epitranscriptomics and Proteomics Resource, Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States
| | - M Jordan Rowley
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Varghese M. Chennathukuzhi
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - John S. Davis
- Olson Center for Women’s Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, 4101 Woolworth Ave, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
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27
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Buyukcelebi K, Chen X, Abdula F, Elkafas H, Duval AJ, Ozturk H, Seker-Polat F, Jin Q, Yin P, Feng Y, Bulun SE, Wei JJ, Yue F, Adli M. Engineered MED12 mutations drive leiomyoma-like transcriptional and metabolic programs by altering the 3D genome compartmentalization. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4057. [PMID: 37429859 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39684-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly 70% of Uterine fibroid (UF) tumors are driven by recurrent MED12 hotspot mutations. Unfortunately, no cellular models could be generated because the mutant cells have lower fitness in 2D culture conditions. To address this, we employ CRISPR to precisely engineer MED12 Gly44 mutations in UF-relevant myometrial smooth muscle cells. The engineered mutant cells recapitulate several UF-like cellular, transcriptional, and metabolic alterations, including altered Tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism. The aberrant gene expression program in the mutant cells is, in part, driven by a substantial 3D genome compartmentalization switch. At the cellular level, the mutant cells gain enhanced proliferation rates in 3D spheres and form larger lesions in vivo with elevated production of collagen and extracellular matrix deposition. These findings indicate that the engineered cellular model faithfully models key features of UF tumors and provides a platform for the broader scientific community to characterize genomics of recurrent MED12 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadir Buyukcelebi
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xintong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fatih Abdula
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hoda Elkafas
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander James Duval
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Harun Ozturk
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fidan Seker-Polat
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Qiushi Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ping Yin
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yue Feng
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jian Jun Wei
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Feng Yue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mazhar Adli
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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28
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A View on Uterine Leiomyoma Genesis through the Prism of Genetic, Epigenetic and Cellular Heterogeneity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065752. [PMID: 36982825 PMCID: PMC10056617 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas (ULs), frequent benign tumours of the female reproductive tract, are associated with a range of symptoms and significant morbidity. Despite extensive research, there is no consensus on essential points of UL initiation and development. The main reason for this is a pronounced inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity resulting from diverse and complicated mechanisms underlying UL pathobiology. In this review, we comprehensively analyse risk and protective factors for UL development, UL cellular composition, hormonal and paracrine signalling, epigenetic regulation and genetic abnormalities. We conclude the need to carefully update the concept of UL genesis in light of the current data. Staying within the framework of the existing hypotheses, we introduce a possible timeline for UL development and the associated key events—from potential prerequisites to the beginning of UL formation and the onset of driver and passenger changes.
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29
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Välimäki N, Jokinen V, Cajuso T, Kuisma H, Taira A, Dagnaud O, Ilves S, Kaukomaa J, Pasanen A, Palin K, Heikinheimo O, Bützow R, Aaltonen LA, Karhu A. Inherited mutations affecting the SRCAP complex are central in moderate-penetrance predisposition to uterine leiomyomas. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:460-474. [PMID: 36773604 PMCID: PMC10027472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are benign smooth muscle tumors that are common in premenopausal women. Somatic alterations in MED12, HMGA2, FH, genes encoding subunits of the SRCAP complex, and genes involved in Cullin 3-RING E3 ligase neddylation are mutually exclusive UL drivers. Established predisposition genes explain only partially the estimated heritability of leiomyomas. Here, we examined loss-of-function variants across 18,899 genes in a cohort of 233,614 White European women, revealing variants in four genes encoding SRCAP complex subunits (YEATS4, ZNHIT1, DMAP1, and ACTL6A) with a significant association to ULs, and YEATS4 and ZNHIT1 strikingly rank first and second, respectively. Positive mutation status was also associated with younger age at diagnosis and hysterectomy. Moderate-penetrance UL risk was largely attributed to rare non-synonymous mutations affecting the SRCAP complex. To examine this disease phenotype more closely, we set out to identify inherited mutations affecting the SRCAP complex in our in-house sample collection of Finnish individuals with ULs (n = 860). We detected one individual with an ACTL6A splice-site mutation, two individuals with a YEATS4 missense mutation, and four individuals with DMAP1 mutations: one splice-site, one nonsense, and two missense variants. These individuals had large and/or multiple ULs, were often diagnosed at an early age, and many had family history of ULs. When a somatic second hit was found, ACTL6A and DMAP1 were silenced in tumors by somatic mutation and YEATS4 by promoter hypermethylation. Decreased H2A.Z staining was observed in the tumors, providing further evidence for the pathogenic nature of the germline mutations. Our results establish inactivation of genes encoding SRCAP complex subunits as a central contributor to moderate-penetrance UL predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niko Välimäki
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vilja Jokinen
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tatiana Cajuso
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heli Kuisma
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aurora Taira
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olivia Dagnaud
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sini Ilves
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Kaukomaa
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annukka Pasanen
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kimmo Palin
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oskari Heikinheimo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ralf Bützow
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri A Aaltonen
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Auli Karhu
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Farkas AH, Abumusa H, Rossiter B. Structural Gynecological Disease: Fibroids, Endometriosis, Ovarian Cysts. Med Clin North Am 2023; 107:317-328. [PMID: 36759100 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.10.010] [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] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Fibroids, endometriosis, and ovarian cysts are common conditions. Fibroids can be asymptomatic or present with heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, and pain. Endometriosis is a common cause of cyclical pelvic pain. Ovarian cysts are generally diagnosed incidentally. Transvaginal ultrasound is the performed imaging modality for all structural gynecological disease. Symptomatic management is recommended for each condition. Fibroids can be managed medically or surgically depending on the patient's symptoms and desire for future fertility. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first-line therapy for endometriosis followed by oral contraceptives and surgical management. Ovarian cysts can be managed expectantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy H Farkas
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee VA Medical Center, 5000 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295, USA.
| | - Hannah Abumusa
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC VAPT, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, 4100 Allequippa Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
| | - Brianna Rossiter
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC VAPT, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, 4100 Allequippa Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
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Buyukcelebi K, Chen X, Abdula F, Duval A, Ozturk H, Seker-Polat F, Jin Q, Yin P, Feng Y, Wei JJ, Bulun S, Yue F, Adli M. Engineered MED12 mutations drive uterine fibroid-like transcriptional and metabolic programs by altering the 3D genome compartmentalization. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2537075. [PMID: 36798375 PMCID: PMC9934745 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2537075/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Uterine fibroid (UF) tumors originate from a mutated smooth muscle cell (SMC). Nearly 70% of these tumors are driven by hotspot recurrent somatic mutations in the MED12 gene; however, there are no tractable genetic models to study the biology of UF tumors because, under culture conditions, the non-mutant fibroblasts outgrow the mutant SMC cells, resulting in the conversion of the population to WT phenotype. The lack of faithful cellular models hampered our ability to delineate the molecular pathways downstream of MED12 mutations and identify therapeutics that may selectively target the mutant cells. To overcome this challenge, we employed CRISPR knock-in with a sensitive PCR-based screening strategy to precisely engineer cells with mutant MED12 Gly44, which constitutes 50% of MED12 exon two mutations. Critically, the engineered myometrial SMC cells recapitulate several UF-like cellular, transcriptional and metabolic alterations, including enhanced proliferation rates in 3D spheres and altered Tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism. Our transcriptomic analysis supported by DNA synthesis tracking reveals that MED12 mutant cells, like UF tumors, have heightened expression of DNA repair genes but reduced DNA synthesis rates. Consequently, these cells accumulate significantly higher rates of DNA damage and are selectively more sensitive to common DNA-damaging chemotherapy, indicating mutation-specific and therapeutically relevant vulnerabilities. Our high-resolution 3D chromatin interaction analysis demonstrates that the engineered MED12 mutations drive aberrant genomic activity due to a genome-wide chromatin compartmentalization switch. These findings indicate that the engineered cellular model faithfully models key features of UF tumors and provides a novel platform for the broader scientific community to characterize genomics of recurrent MED12 mutations and discover potential therapeutic targets.
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Nagai K, Asano R, Sekiguchi F, Asai-Sato M, Miyagi Y, Miyagi E. MED12 mutations in uterine leiomyomas: prediction of volume reduction by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:207.e1-207.e9. [PMID: 36150519 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are used to treat premenopausal uterine leiomyomas; however, leiomyoma volume reduction is not always achieved. The reduction rate after this treatment varies for each leiomyoma, even in the same patient. Therefore, an effective method for predicting uterine leiomyoma volume reduction is required to reduce the adverse hypoestrogenic effects and drug-related economic burden related to gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the predictive use of MED12 mutations for evaluating the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment concerning reducing uterine leiomyoma volume and to predict the MED12 mutation status based on the findings of magnetic resonance imaging performed before treatment. STUDY DESIGN MED12 exon 2 mutation and erythropoietin expression in uterine leiomyomas were evaluated concerning volume reduction, as measured using magnetic resonance imaging. We developed a system for classifying leiomyomas according to T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging signals to noninvasively predict the presence or absence of MED12 mutations in leiomyomas. Leiomyoma samples (>5 cm) were obtained from 168 patients during surgery (hysterectomy or myomectomy) between 2005 and 2021 at Yokohama City University Hospital. To analyze the rate of leiomyoma volume reduction, 41 patients had been preoperatively administered the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (leuprorelin acetate 3.75 mg, monthly subcutaneous injection) for 3 months; magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after treatment without contrast material. RESULTS Patients with MED12 exon 2 mutations had smaller volume reduction after treatment with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (P<.001, Mann-Whitney U test) and displayed lower signal intensity on T2-weighted images than those with leiomyomas expressing wild-type MED12 exon 2. The newly proposed magnetic resonance imaging-based classification system showed that MED12 exon 2 mutations were more frequent in the low-signal group than in the high-signal group, with nearly equal proportions of mutated and wild-type MED12 exon 2 leiomyomas noted in the intermediate group. The low-signal group had significantly lower erythropoietin expression levels than the high-signal group (P<.001, Kruskal-Wallis test with the Dunn posthoc analysis). CONCLUSION MED12 mutation status can be a candidate marker for predicting the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists on uterine leiomyoma reduction. Magnetic resonance imaging findings can be used to determine MED12 mutation status as a noninvasive strategy to select patients who will most likely benefit from gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Nagai
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Molecular Reproductive Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ryoko Asano
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Molecular Reproductive Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Gynecology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Futoshi Sekiguchi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Molecular Reproductive Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mikiko Asai-Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Miyagi
- Molecular Pathology and Genetics Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Etsuko Miyagi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Molecular Reproductive Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
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Jamaluddin MFB, Nagendra PB, Ko YA, Bajwa P, Scott RJ, Nahar P, Tanwar PS. Prevalence and clinical significance of co-existing mutations in MED12 and FH in uterine fibroids of Australian women. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1081092. [PMID: 37113812 PMCID: PMC10126294 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1081092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine fibroids are exceedingly common benign tumours of the female reproductive system and cause severe symptoms, including acute pain, bleeding, and infertility. Fibroids are frequently associated with genetic alterations affecting mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12), fumarate hydratase (FH), high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) and collagen, type IV alpha 5 and alpha 6 (COL4A5-COL4A6). Recently, we reported MED12 exon 2 mutations in 39 out of 65 uterine fibroids (60%) from 14 Australian patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of FH mutations in MED12 mutation-positive and mutation-negative uterine fibroids. FH mutation screening of altogether 65 uterine fibroids and corresponding adjacent normal myometrium (n = 14) was carried out by Sanger sequencing. Three out of 14 patients displayed somatic mutations in FH exon 1 in addition to harbouring MED12 mutation in uterine fibroids. This study is the first to report that the mutations in MED12 and FH co-exist in uterine fibroids of Australian women.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Fairuz B. Jamaluddin
- Global Centre for Gynecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Prathima B. Nagendra
- Global Centre for Gynecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Yi-An Ko
- Global Centre for Gynecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Preety Bajwa
- Global Centre for Gynecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Rodney J. Scott
- Global Centre for Gynecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Division of Molecular Medicine, NSW Health Pathology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Pravin Nahar
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Department of Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Pradeep S. Tanwar
- Global Centre for Gynecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Correspondence: Pradeep S. Tanwar
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Jokinen V, Mehine M, Reinikka S, Khamaiseh S, Ahvenainen T, Äyräväinen A, Härkki P, Bützow R, Pasanen A, Vahteristo P. 3'RNA and whole-genome sequencing of archival uterine leiomyomas reveal a tumor subtype with chromosomal rearrangements affecting either HMGA2, HMGA1, or PLAG1. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2023; 62:27-38. [PMID: 35822448 PMCID: PMC9804854 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23088] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are very common smooth muscle tumors that arise from the myometrium. They can be divided into distinct molecular subtypes. We have previously shown that 3'RNA-sequencing is highly effective in classifying archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) leiomyomas according to the underlying mutation. In this study, we performed 3'RNA-sequencing with 111 FFPE leiomyomas previously classified as negative for driver alterations in mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12), high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), and fumarate hydratase (FH) by Sanger sequencing and immunohistochemistry. This revealed 43 tumors that displayed expression features typically seen in HMGA2-positive tumors, including overexpression of PLAG1. We explored 12 such leiomyomas by whole-genome sequencing to identify their underlying genomic drivers and to evaluate the feasibility of detecting chromosomal driver alterations from FFPE material. Four tumors with significant HMGA2 overexpression at the protein-level served as controls. We identified chromosomal rearrangements targeting either HMGA2, HMGA1, or PLAG1 in all 16 tumors, demonstrating that it is possible to detect chromosomal driver alterations in archival leiomyoma specimens as old as 18 years. Furthermore, two tumors displayed biallelic loss of DEPDC5 and one tumor harbored a COL4A5-COL4A6 deletion. These observations suggest that instead of only HMGA2-positive leiomyomas, a distinct leiomyoma subtype is characterized by rearrangements targeting either HMGA2, HMGA1, or PLAG1. The results indicate that the frequency of HMGA2-positive leiomyomas may be higher than estimated in previous studies where immunohistochemistry has been used. This study also demonstrates the feasibility of detecting chromosomal driver alterations from archival FFPE material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilja Jokinen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Medical and Clinical GeneticsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Miika Mehine
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Medical and Clinical GeneticsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Siiri Reinikka
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Medical and Clinical GeneticsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Sara Khamaiseh
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Medical and Clinical GeneticsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine FlagshipHelsinkiFinland
| | - Terhi Ahvenainen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Medical and Clinical GeneticsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine FlagshipHelsinkiFinland
| | - Anna Äyräväinen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Medical and Clinical GeneticsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Päivi Härkki
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Ralf Bützow
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of PathologyUniversity of Helsinki and HUSLAB, Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Annukka Pasanen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of PathologyUniversity of Helsinki and HUSLAB, Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Pia Vahteristo
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research ProgramUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Medical and Clinical GeneticsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine FlagshipHelsinkiFinland
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Tian Y, Wu X, Li Y, He W, Liu Z, Myers FL, Zhou L. Case report: Unilateral panuveitis as a manifestation of Alport syndrome in a Chinese pediatric patient. Front Genet 2022; 13:934829. [DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.934829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The study aimed to report a rare case of a patient with Alport syndrome, which was manifested as unilateral non-infectious uveitis after bilateral cataract surgery.Methods: A case report.Results: A 2-year-old boy was diagnosed with unilateral panuveitis based on the clinical and multimodal imaging findings. Intraocular fluid samples for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and microbial culture were negative. However, urine tests found proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. Pathologic findings of the kidney revealed a thickened membrane, and a diagnosis of Alport syndrome was considered. Gene analysis found deletions in exon 1 of COL4A5 and exons 1 and 2 of COL4A6. The uveitis resolved gradually, following the administration of oral steroids.Conclusion: Uveitis may be an ocular manifestation of Alport syndrome.
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Dehner CA, Baker JC, Bell R, Dickson BC, Schmidt RE, Demicco EG, Chrisinger JSA. Xanthogranulomatous epithelial tumors and keratin-positive giant cell-rich soft tissue tumors: two aspects of a single entity with frequent HMGA2-NCOR2 fusions. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1656-1666. [PMID: 35690644 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01115-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Xanthogranulomatous epithelial tumor (XGET) and keratin-positive giant cell-rich soft tissue tumor with HMGA2-NCOR2 fusion (KPGCT) are two recently described neoplasms with both distinct and overlapping clinical and histopathologic features. We hypothesized that XGET and KPGCT may be related and represent a histologic spectrum of a single entity. To test this, we sought to characterize the clinical, radiographic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular features of additional tumors with features of XGET and/or KPGCT, which we refer to descriptively as keratin-positive xanthogranulomatous/giant cell-rich tumors (KPXG/GCT). The archives were searched for potential cases of KPXG/GCT. Clinical and imaging features were noted. Slides were assessed for histologic and immunohistochemical findings. Ultrastructural and next generation RNA sequencing-based analysis were also performed. Nine cases were identified arising in seven women and two men [median age of 33 years (range: 12-87)]. Median tumor size was 4 cm (range: 2.4-14.0 cm) and tumors presented in the thigh (2), buttock (1), forearm (2), groin (1), cranial fossa (1), ilium (1), and tibia (1). Morphologically, tumors were most frequently characterized by a fibrous capsule, with associated lymphoid reaction, enclosing a polymorphous proliferation of histiocytes, giant cells (Touton and osteoclast-types), mixed inflammatory infiltrate, hemorrhage and hemosiderin deposition, which imparted a variably xanthogranulomatous to giant cell tumor-like appearance. One case clearly showed mononuclear cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm characteristic of XGET. All cases expressed keratin and 7 of 9 were found to harbor HMGA2-NCOR2 fusions including cases with xanthogranulomatous appearance. One patient developed local recurrence and multifocal pulmonary lesions, which were radiographically suspicious for metastases. Shared clinical, histologic and immunohistochemical features, and the shared presence of HMGA2-NCOR2 fusions supports interpretation of KPXG/GCT as a single entity which includes XGET and KPGCT. Given limited clinical follow-up to date and rare cases with apparently aggressive findings, we provisionally regard these tumors as having uncertain biologic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina A Dehner
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Anatomic Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jonathan C Baker
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Musculoskeletal Section, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Robert Bell
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Anatomic Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brendan C Dickson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital & Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert E Schmidt
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Neuropathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Demicco
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital & Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John S A Chrisinger
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Anatomic Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Natsume T, Yoshida H, Nishikawa T, Kikkawa N, Naka T, Kobayashi-Kato M, Tanase Y, Uno M, Ishikawa M, Kato T. Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Masquerading as a Malignant Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor: A Diagnostic Challenge. Int J Surg Pathol 2022:10668969221133348. [DOI: 10.1177/10668969221133348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Uterine sarcomas with myomelanocytic differentiation have been reported to be diagnostically challenging. We report a case of uterine leiomyosarcoma with extensive perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa)-like areas and extrauterine metastases. The patient was a 49-year-old gravida 3 para 2 Japanese woman with no relevant medical history. She noticed a vaginal mass with bleeding. Imaging examination revealed a uterine tumor and multiple liver and lung metastases. The vaginal tumor (3.5 cm) was resected and diagnosed as a malignant PEComa based on morphology and myomelanocytic marker expression. Clinically used targeted sequencing (FoundationOneCDx™) revealed gene alterations in RB1, TP53, and ATRX but not TSC1/2. Despite administration of an mTOR inhibitor, the tumor size increased, and subsequently, hysterectomy was performed to relieve the symptoms. The uterine tumor was composed of conventional leiomyosarcoma showing RB1 loss, wild-type TP53 staining, and retained ATRX expression, as well as adjacent predominant PEComa-like components with RB1 loss, TP53 overexpression, and ATRX loss, identical to the characteristics of the vaginal tumor. In the uterine tumor, both HMB-45 and MITF were weak to moderately positive for approximately 40% of tumor cells while Melan-A was negative. The tumor was finally diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma with PEComa-like features. This case exemplifies the tumorigenesis of diagnostically challenging tumors with myomelanocytic differentiation and demonstrates the importance of integrating multiple types of information, including genomic profiling, in making a correct diagnosis leading to appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Natsume
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yoshida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadaaki Nishikawa
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nao Kikkawa
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Naka
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yasuhito Tanase
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Uno
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuya Ishikawa
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyasu Kato
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Liu Y, Zhang J, Wang Z, Ma J, Wang K, Rao D, Zhang M, Lin Y, Wu Y, Yang Z, Dong L, Ding Z, Zhang X, Fan J, Shi Y, Gao Q. Multi-omics characterization reveals the pathogenesis of liver focal nodular hyperplasia. iScience 2022; 25:104921. [PMID: 36060063 PMCID: PMC9436768 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular landscape and pathogenesis of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) have yet to be elucidated. We performed multi-omics approaches on FNH and paired normal liver tissues from 22 patients, followed by multi-level bioinformatic analyses and experimental validations. Generally, FNH had low mutation burden with low variant allele frequencies, and the mutation frequency significantly correlated with proliferation rate. Although no recurrently deleterious genomic events were found, some putative tumor suppressors or oncogenes were involved. Mutational signatures indicated potential impaired mismatch function and possible poison contact. Integrated analyses unveiled a group of FNH specific endothelial cells that uniquely expressed SOST and probably had strong interaction with fibroblasts through PDGFB/PDGFRB pathway to promote fibrosis. Notably, in one atypical FNH (patient No.11) with pronounced copy number variations, we observed a unique immune module. Most FNH are benign, but molecularly atypical FNH still exist; endothelial cell derived PDGFB probably promotes the fibrogenic process in FNH. FNHs are genetically stable, but high mutation cases exist FNHs have unique transcriptomic modules, and they alter in atypical FNH FNH has a unique type of SOST-expressing endothelial cells that may promote fibrosis
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Goad J, Rudolph J, Zandigohar M, Tae M, Dai Y, Wei JJ, Bulun SE, Chakravarti D, Rajkovic A. Single-cell sequencing reveals novel cellular heterogeneity in uterine leiomyomas. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:2334-2349. [PMID: 36001050 PMCID: PMC9802286 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the cellular composition and single-cell transcriptomic differences between myometrium and leiomyomas as defined by single-cell RNA sequencing? SUMMARY ANSWER We discovered cellular heterogeneity in smooth muscle cells (SMCs), fibroblast and endothelial cell populations in both myometrium and leiomyoma tissues. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous studies have shown the presence of SMCs, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells in myometrium and leiomyomas. However, there is no information on the cellular heterogeneity in these tissues and the transcriptomic differences at the single-cell level between these tissues. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We collected five leiomyoma and five myometrium samples from a total of eight patients undergoing hysterectomy. We then performed single-cell RNA sequencing to generate a cell atlas for both tissues. We utilized our single-cell sequencing data to define cell types, compare cell types by tissue type (leiomyoma versus myometrium) and determine the transcriptional changes at a single-cell resolution between leiomyomas and myometrium. Additionally, we performed MED12-variant analysis at the single-cell level to determine the genotype heterogeneity within leiomyomas. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We collected five MED12-variant positive leiomyomas and five myometrium samples from a total of eight patients. We then performed single-cell RNA sequencing on freshly isolated single-cell preparations. Histopathological assessment confirmed the identity of the samples. Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the presence of the MED12 variant in leiomyomas. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE Our data revealed previously unknown heterogeneity in the SMC, fibroblast cell and endothelial cell populations of myometrium and leiomyomas. We discovered the presence of two different lymphatic endothelial cell populations specific to uterine leiomyomas. We showed that both myometrium and MED12-variant leiomyomas are relatively similar in cellular composition but differ in cellular transcriptomic profiles. We found that fibroblasts influence the leiomyoma microenvironment through their interactions with endothelial cells, immune cells and SMCs. Variant analysis at the single-cell level revealed the presence of both MED12 variants as well as the wild-type MED12 allele in SMCs of leiomyomatous tissue. These results indicate genotype heterogeneity of cellular composition within leiomyomas. LARGE SCALE DATA The datasets are available in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) using GSE162122. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Our study focused on MED12-variant positive leiomyomas for single-cell RNA sequencing analyses. Leiomyomas carrying other genetic rearrangements may differ in their cellular composition and transcriptomic profiles. WIDER IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FINDINGS Our study provides a cellular atlas for myometrium and MED12-variant positive leiomyomas as defined by single-cell RNA sequencing. Our analysis provides significant insight into the differences between myometrium and leiomyomas at the single-cell level and reveals hitherto unknown genetic heterogeneity in multiple cell types within human leiomyomas. Our results will be important for future studies into the origin and growth of human leiomyomas. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD098580 and HD088629). The authors declare no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Goad
- Correspondence address. Department of Pathology, HSW-518, 513 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Tel: +415-502-4961; E-mail: (A.R.); Tel: +415-514-4687, E-mail: (J.G.)
| | - Joshua Rudolph
- Department of Medicine, Lung Biology Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mehrdad Zandigohar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matthew Tae
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yang Dai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jian-Jun Wei
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Division of Reproductive Sciences in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Debabrata Chakravarti
- Division of Reproductive Sciences in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aleksandar Rajkovic
- Correspondence address. Department of Pathology, HSW-518, 513 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Tel: +415-502-4961; E-mail: (A.R.); Tel: +415-514-4687, E-mail: (J.G.)
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Takao T, Ono M, Yoshimasa Y, Masuda H, Maruyama T. A mediator complex subunit 12 gain-of-function mutation induces partial leiomyoma cell properties in human uterine smooth muscle cells. F&S SCIENCE 2022; 3:288-298. [PMID: 35643626 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To clarify whether a mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) gain-of-function mutation induces leiomyoma cell properties in human uterine smooth muscle cells (USMCs). DESIGN Experimental study. SETTING Academic research laboratory. PATIENT(S) Women undergoing hysterectomy for leiomyoma. INTERVENTION(S) CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing to introduce an MED12 gain-of-function mutation (G44D) into human USMCs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Cell proliferation, collagen production, and in vivo tumorigenicity of USMCs with vs. without the MED12 mutation. RESULT(S) Uterine smooth muscle cells isolated from the uterine myometrium of a 44-year-old patient were subjected to lentiviral vector-mediated gene transduction of the fluorescent protein Venus, followed by long-term passage. Uterine smooth muscle cells with a normal female karyotype, high cell proliferative activity, and Venus expression, but without stem/progenitor cell populations, were obtained and designated as USMC44. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, mtUSMC44 (MED12, 131G>A, p.G44D) and mock USMC44 without MED12 mutation (wtUSMC44) were established from USMC44. wtUSMC44 and mtUSMC44 showed similar cell proliferation activity, even in the presence of estradiol and progesterone (EP) together with transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGFB3). In addition, wtUSMC44 and mtUSMC44 generated similar tiny smooth muscle-like tissue constructs when xenotransplanted beneath the kidney capsule in immunodeficient mice treated with EP alone or TGFB3. In contrast, mtUSMC44 produced more collagen type I than wtUSMC in vitro, and this production was likely enhanced by EP and TGFB3. CONCLUSION(S) The results suggest that the MED12 gain-of-function mutation is involved in collagen production. Although approximately 70% of leiomyomas have MED12 mutations, additional factors and/or events other than MED12 and/or myometrial stem/progenitor cells may be required for fully inducing leiomyoma cell properties, including transformation, in USMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoka Takao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Regenerative Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masanori Ono
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yushi Yoshimasa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Masuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Maruyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Kuisma H, Jokinen V, Pasanen A, Heikinheimo O, Karhu A, Välimäki N, Aaltonen L, Bützow R. Histopathologic and Molecular Characterization of Uterine Leiomyoma-like Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: Comparison to Molecular Subtypes of Uterine Leiomyoma. Am J Surg Pathol 2022; 46:1126-1136. [PMID: 35426837 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma (UL) is a common benign neoplasm which can sometimes be difficult to differentiate from the uterine inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) based on morphology alone. IMT is a myofibroblastic/fibroblastic neoplasm which has typically been considered to be rare in the uterus. Its clinical behavior is usually indolent although aggressive variants exist. The majority of IMTs harbor genomic rearrangement of anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ), while ALK fusion has not been thus far detected in ULs. We analyzed 2263 ULs of which 9 (0.4%) had tyrosine-kinase activation. Seven of the samples were ALK immunopositive: 6 had an ALK fusion gene and 1 overexpressed an ALK transcript skipping exons 2 to 3, Moreover, 1 sample had a RET , and 1 a PDGFRB fusion gene. While no recurrent somatic mutations were found, 1 patient had an ALK germline mutation. Seven tumors showed leiomyoma-like morphology, 1 tumor had slightly loose, and 1 fibrous growth pattern. Six tumors had mild to moderate lymphocyte infiltration, while no immune cell infiltration was detected in 3 cases. None of the tumors showed aggressive behavior. Except for strong ALK positivity (7/9 tumors) the protein expression profile of the tumors was identical to ULs and distinct from other mesenchymal uterine tumors. In gene expression level, these tumors and the known UL subclasses did not separate perfectly. However, vitamin C metabolism and epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathways were uniquely enriched in these lesions. The overall similarity of the analyzed tumors to UL raises the question whether an UL diagnosis would be more proper for a subset of uterine IMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Kuisma
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki
| | - Vilja Jokinen
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki
| | | | - Oskari Heikinheimo
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital
| | - Auli Karhu
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki
| | - Niko Välimäki
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki
| | - Lauri Aaltonen
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ralf Bützow
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics
- Departments of Pathology
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Griffin BB, Feng Y, Saini P, Lu X, Bulun S, Chakravarti D, Wei J. Histologic and Molecular Analysis of Cellular Leiomyoma with Sclerosis: Linked to HMGA2 Overexpression. Histopathology 2022; 81:587-599. [DOI: 10.1111/his.14732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brannan B. Griffin
- Department of Pathology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago IL USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville TN USA
| | - Yue Feng
- Department of Pathology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago IL USA
| | - Priyanka Saini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago IL USA
| | - Xinyan Lu
- Department of Pathology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago IL USA
| | - Serdar Bulun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago IL USA
| | - Debabrata Chakravarti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago IL USA
| | - Jian‐Jun Wei
- Department of Pathology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago IL USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago IL USA
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43
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Khan KN, Fujishita A, Mori T. Pathogenesis of Human Adenomyosis: Current Understanding and Its Association with Infertility. J Clin Med 2022; 11:4057. [PMID: 35887822 PMCID: PMC9316454 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review article was to summarize our current understanding on the etiologies and pathogenesis of human adenomyosis and to clarify the relative association between adenomyosis and infertility. The exact pathogenesis of adenomyosis is still elusive. Among different reported concepts, direction invagination of gland cells from the basalis endometrium deep into myometrium is the most widely accepted opinion on the development of adenomyosis. According to this concept, endometrial epithelial cells and changed fibroblasts, abnormally found in the myometrium in response to repeated tissue injury and/or disruption at the endometrium-myometrium interface (EMI), elicit hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the surrounding smooth muscle cells. In this review, a comprehensive review was performed with a literature search using PubMed for all publications in English and Japanese (abstract in English), related to adenomyosis and infertility, from inception to April 2021. As an estrogen-regulated factor, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exhibits multiple functions in endometriosis, a disease commonly believed to arise from the functionalis endometrium. As a mechanistic basis of gland invagination, we investigated the role of HGF, either alone or in combination with estrogen, in the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in adenomyosis. Aside from microtrauma at the EMI, metaplasia of displaced Müllerian remnants, differentiation of endometrial stem/progenitor cells within the myometrium and somatic mutation of some target genes have been put forward to explain how adenomyosis develops. In addition, the possible role of microRNAs in adenomyosis is also discussed. Besides our knowledge on the conventional classification (focal and diffuse), two recently proposed classifications (intrinsic and extrinsic) of adenomyosis and the biological differences between them have been described. Although the mechanistic basis is unclear, the influence of adenomyosis on fertility outcome is important, especially considering the recent tendency to delay pregnancy among women. Besides other proposed mechanisms, a recent transmission election microscopic (TEM) study indicated that microvilli damage and an axonemal alteration in the apical endometria of human adenomyosis, in response to endometrial inflammation, may be involved in negative fertility outcomes. We present a critical analysis of the literature data concerning the mechanistic basis of infertility in women with adenomyosis and its impact on fertility outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaleque N. Khan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan;
| | - Akira Fujishita
- Department of Gynecology, Saiseikai Nagasaki Hospital, Nagasaki 850-0003, Japan;
| | - Taisuke Mori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan;
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44
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Maekawa R, Sato S, Tamehisa T, Sakai T, Kajimura T, Sueoka K, Sugino N. Different DNA methylome, transcriptome and histological features in uterine fibroids with and without MED12 mutations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8912. [PMID: 35618793 PMCID: PMC9135739 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12899-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations in Mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12m) have been reported as a biomarker of uterine fibroids (UFs). However, the role of MED12m is still unclear in the pathogenesis of UFs. Therefore, we investigated the differences in DNA methylome, transcriptome, and histological features between MED12m-positive and -negative UFs. DNA methylomes and transcriptomes were obtained from MED12m-positive and -negative UFs and myometrium, and hierarchically clustered. Differentially expressed genes in comparison with the myometrium and co-expressed genes detected by weighted gene co-expression network analysis were subjected to gene ontology enrichment analyses. The amounts of collagen fibers and the number of blood vessels and smooth muscle cells were histologically evaluated. Hierarchical clustering based on DNA methylation clearly separated the myometrium, MED12m-positive, and MED12m-negative UFs. MED12m-positive UFs had the increased activities of extracellular matrix formation, whereas MED12m-negative UFs had the increased angiogenic activities and smooth muscle cell proliferation. The MED12m-positive and -negative UFs had different DNA methylation, gene expression, and histological features. The MED12m-positive UFs form the tumor with a rich extracellular matrix and poor blood vessels and smooth muscle cells compared to the MED12m-negative UFs, suggesting MED12 mutations affect the tissue composition of UFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Maekawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, 755-8505, Japan.
| | - Shun Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Tamehisa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Takahiro Sakai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Takuya Kajimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Kotaro Sueoka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Norihiro Sugino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
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Uimari O, Subramaniam KS, Vollenhoven B, Tapmeier TT. Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomata) and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:818243. [PMID: 36303616 PMCID: PMC9580818 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.818243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine Fibroids, or leiomyomata, affect millions of women world-wide, with a high incidence of 75% within women of reproductive age. In ~30% of patients, uterine fibroids cause menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding, and more than half of the patients experience symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, or infertility. Treatment is symptomatic with limited options including hysterectomy as the most radical solution. The genetic foundations of uterine fibroid growth have been traced to somatic driver mutations (MED12, HMGA2, FH−/−, and COL4A5-A6). These also lead to downstream expression of angiogenic factors including IGF-1 and IGF-2, as opposed to the VEGF-driven mechanism found in the angiogenesis of hypoxic tumors. The resulting vasculature supplying the fibroid with nutrients and oxygen is highly irregular. Of particular interest is the formation of a pseudocapsule around intramural fibroids, a unique structure within tumor angiogenesis. These aberrations in vascular architecture and network could explain the heavy menstrual bleeding observed. However, other theories have been proposed such as venous trunks, or venous lakes caused by the blocking of normal blood flow by uterine fibroids, or the increased local action of vasoactive growth factors. Here, we review and discuss the evidence for the various hypotheses proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Outi Uimari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland
- Research Unit for Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Surgery, Child Psychiatry, Dermatology, Clinical Genetics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology (PEDEGO) Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Kavita S. Subramaniam
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Beverley Vollenhoven
- Women's and Newborn Program, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas T. Tapmeier
- Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Thomas T. Tapmeier
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Afrin S, Ali M, El Sabeh M, Yang Q, Al‐Hendy A, Borahay MA. Simvastatin inhibits stem cell proliferation in human leiomyoma via TGF-β3 and Wnt/β-Catenin pathways. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:1684-1698. [PMID: 35118811 PMCID: PMC8899165 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma (UL) is the most common gynaecologic tumour, affecting an estimated 70 to 80% of women. Leiomyomas develop from the transformation of myometrial stem cells into leiomyoma stem (or tumour-initiating) cells. These cells undergo self-renewal and differentiation to mature cells, both are necessary for the maintenance of tumour stem cell niche and tumour growth, respectively. Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β/SMAD pathways, both overactive in UL, promote stem cell self-renewal, crosstalk between stem and mature cells, cellular proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and drive overall UL growth. Recent evidence suggests that simvastatin, an antihyperlipidemic drug, may have anti-leiomyoma properties. Herein, we investigated the effects of simvastatin on UL stem cells. We isolated leiomyoma stem cells by flow cytometry using DyeCycle Violet staining and Stro-1/CD44 surface markers. We found that simvastatin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in UL stem cells. In addition, it also suppressed the expression of the stemness markers Nanog, Oct4 and Sox2. Simvastatin significantly decreased the production of the key ECM proteins, collagen 1 and fibronectin. Finally, it inhibited genes and/or proteins expression of TGF-β1, 2 and 3, SMAD2, SMAD4, Wnt4, β-Catenin, LRP6, AXIN2 and Cyclin D1 in UL stem cells, all are key drivers of the TGF-β3/SMAD2 and Wnt4/β-Catenin pathways. Thus, we have identified a novel stem cell-targeting anti-leiomyoma simvastatin effect. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Afrin
- Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Clinical Pharmacy DepartmentFaculty of PharmacyAin Shams UniversityCairoEgypt
| | - Malak El Sabeh
- Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsUniversity of Chicago School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Ayman Al‐Hendy
- Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsUniversity of Chicago School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Mostafa A. Borahay
- Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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Mlodawska OW, Saini P, Parker JB, Wei JJ, Bulun SE, Simon MA, Chakravarti D. Epigenomic and enhancer dysregulation in uterine leiomyomas. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:518-547. [PMID: 35199155 PMCID: PMC9247409 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uterine leiomyomas, also known as uterine fibroids or myomas, are the most common benign gynecological tumors and are found in women of reproductive and postmenopausal age. There is an exceptionally high prevalence of this tumor in women by the age of 50 years. Black women are particularly affected, with an increased incidence, earlier age of onset, larger and faster growing fibroids and greater severity of symptoms as compared to White women. Although advances in identifying genetic and environmental factors to delineate these fibroids have already been made, only recently has the role of epigenomics in the pathogenesis of this disease been considered. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Over recent years, studies have identified multiple epigenomic aberrations that may contribute to leiomyoma development and growth. This review will focus on the most recent discoveries in three categories of epigenomic changes found in uterine fibroids, namely aberrant DNA methylation, histone tail modifications and histone variant exchange, and their translation into altered target gene architecture and transcriptional outcome. The findings demonstrating how the altered 3D shape of the enhancer can regulate gene expression from millions of base pairs away will be discussed. Additionally, translational implications of these discoveries and potential roadblocks in leiomyoma treatment will be addressed. SEARCH METHODS A comprehensive PubMed search was performed to identify published articles containing keywords relevant to the focus of the review, such as: uterine leiomyoma, uterine fibroids, epigenetic alterations, epigenomics, stem cells, chromatin modifications, extracellular matrix [ECM] organization, DNA methylation, enhancer, histone post-translational modifications and dysregulated gene expression. Articles until September 2021 were explored and evaluated to identify relevant updates in the field. Most of the articles focused on in the discussion were published between 2015 and 2021, although some key discoveries made before 2015 were included for background information and foundational purposes. We apologize to the authors whose work was not included because of space restrictions or inadvertent omission. OUTCOMES Chemical alterations to the DNA structure and of nucleosomal histones, without changing the underlying DNA sequence, have now been implicated in the phenotypic manifestation of uterine leiomyomas. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis has revealed subsets of either suppressed or overexpressed genes accompanied by aberrant promoter methylation. Furthermore, differential promoter access resulting from altered 3D chromatin structure and histone modifications plays a role in regulating transcription of key genes thought to be involved in leiomyoma etiology. The dysregulated genes function in tumor suppression, apoptosis, angiogenesis, ECM formation, a variety of cancer-related signaling pathways and stem cell differentiation. Aberrant DNA methylation or histone modification is also observed in altering enhancer architecture, which leads to changes in enhancer-promoter contact strength, producing novel explanations for the overexpression of high mobility group AT-hook 2 and gene dysregulation found in mediator complex subunit 12 mutant fibroids. While many molecular mechanisms and epigenomic features have been investigated, the basis for the racial disparity observed among those in the Black population remains unclear. WIDER IMPLICATIONS A comprehensive understanding of the exact pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma is lacking and requires attention as it can provide clues for prevention and viable non-surgical treatment. These findings will widen our knowledge of the role epigenomics plays in the mechanisms related to uterine leiomyoma development and highlight novel approaches for the prevention and identification of epigenome targets for long-term non-invasive treatment options of this significantly common disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - J Brandon Parker
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jian-Jun Wei
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Melissa A Simon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Health Equity Transformation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Debabrata Chakravarti
- Correspondence address. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E Superior Street, Lurie 4-119, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. E-mail:
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48
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Kuznetsova MV, Sogoyan NS, Donnikov AJ, Trofimov DY, Adamyan LV, Mishina ND, Shubina J, Zelensky DV, Sukhikh GT. Familial Predisposition to Leiomyomata: Searching for Protective Genetic Factors. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020508. [PMID: 35203716 PMCID: PMC8962434 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to determine genetic loci associated with decreasing risk of uterine leiomyomata (UL), a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed. We analyzed a group of patients with a family history of UL and a control group consisting of patients without uterine fibroids and a family predisposition to this pathology. Six significant single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected for PCR-genotyping of a large data set of patients with UL. All investigated loci (rs3020434, rs11742635, rs124577644, rs12637801, rs2861221, and rs17677069) demonstrated the lower frequency of minor alleles within a group of women with UL, especially in a subgroup consisting of patients with UL and a familial history of leiomyomata. We also found that the minor allele frequencies of these SNPs in our control group were higher than those across the Caucasian population in all. Based on the obtained data, an evaluation of the common risk of UL was performed. Further work will pave the way to create a specific SNP-panel and allow us to estimate a genotype-based leiomyoma incidence risk. Subsequent studies of genetic variability in a group of patients with a familial predisposition to UL will allow us to make the prediction of the development and course of the disease more individualized, as well as to give our patients personalized recommendations about individual reproductive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V. Kuznetsova
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia or (N.S.S.); (A.J.D.); (D.Y.T.); (L.V.A.); (N.D.M.); (J.S.); (G.T.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-916-170-2680
| | - Nelly S. Sogoyan
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia or (N.S.S.); (A.J.D.); (D.Y.T.); (L.V.A.); (N.D.M.); (J.S.); (G.T.S.)
| | - Andrew J. Donnikov
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia or (N.S.S.); (A.J.D.); (D.Y.T.); (L.V.A.); (N.D.M.); (J.S.); (G.T.S.)
| | - Dmitry Y. Trofimov
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia or (N.S.S.); (A.J.D.); (D.Y.T.); (L.V.A.); (N.D.M.); (J.S.); (G.T.S.)
| | - Leila V. Adamyan
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia or (N.S.S.); (A.J.D.); (D.Y.T.); (L.V.A.); (N.D.M.); (J.S.); (G.T.S.)
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Postgraduate Education of Moscow State, University of Medicine and Dentistry, 127473 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia D. Mishina
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia or (N.S.S.); (A.J.D.); (D.Y.T.); (L.V.A.); (N.D.M.); (J.S.); (G.T.S.)
| | - Jekaterina Shubina
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia or (N.S.S.); (A.J.D.); (D.Y.T.); (L.V.A.); (N.D.M.); (J.S.); (G.T.S.)
| | - Dmitry V. Zelensky
- Department of Medicine, Kursk State Medical University, 305000 Kursk, Russia;
| | - Gennady T. Sukhikh
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia or (N.S.S.); (A.J.D.); (D.Y.T.); (L.V.A.); (N.D.M.); (J.S.); (G.T.S.)
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49
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MacLean JA, Hayashi K. Progesterone Actions and Resistance in Gynecological Disorders. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040647. [PMID: 35203298 PMCID: PMC8870180 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen and progesterone and their signaling mechanisms are tightly regulated to maintain a normal menstrual cycle and to support a successful pregnancy. The imbalance of estrogen and progesterone disrupts their complex regulatory mechanisms, leading to estrogen dominance and progesterone resistance. Gynecological diseases are heavily associated with dysregulated steroid hormones and can induce chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, heavy bleeding, and infertility, which substantially impact the quality of women’s lives. Because the menstrual cycle repeatably occurs during reproductive ages with dynamic changes and remodeling of reproductive-related tissues, these alterations can accumulate and induce chronic and recurrent conditions. This review focuses on faulty progesterone signaling mechanisms and cellular responses to progesterone in endometriosis, adenomyosis, leiomyoma (uterine fibroids), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometrial hyperplasia. We also summarize the association with gene mutations and steroid hormone regulation in disease progression as well as current hormonal therapies and the clinical consequences of progesterone resistance.
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50
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Hutchinson AP, Yin P, Neale I, Coon JS, Kujawa SA, Liu S, Bulun SE. Tryptophan 2,3-Dioxygenase-2 in Uterine Leiomyoma: Dysregulation by MED12 Mutation Status. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:743-749. [PMID: 35064560 PMCID: PMC8863695 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00852-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are common benign tumors in women. The tryptophan metabolism through the kynurenine pathway plays important roles in tumorigenesis in general. Leiomyomas expressing mutated mediator complex subunit 12 (mut-MED12) were reported to contain significantly decreased tryptophan levels; the underlying mechanism and the role of the tryptophan metabolism-kynurenine pathway in leiomyoma tumorigenesis, however, remain unknown. We here assessed the expression and regulation of the key enzymes that metabolize tryptophan. Among these, the tissue mRNA levels of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2), the rate limiting enzyme of tryptophan metabolism through the kynurenine pathway, was 36-fold higher in mut-MED12 compared to adjacent myometrium (P < 0.0001), and 14-fold higher compared to wild type (wt)-MED12 leiomyoma (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of other tryptophan metabolizing enzymes, IDO1 and IDO2, were low and not significantly different, suggesting that TDO2 is the key enzyme responsible for reduced tryptophan levels in mut-MED12 leiomyoma. R5020 and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), two progesterone agonists, regulated TDO2 gene expression in primary myometrial and leiomyoma cells expressing wt-MED12; however, this effect was absent or blunted in leiomyoma cells expressing G44D mut-MED12. These data suggest that MED12 mutation may alter progesterone-mediated TDO2 expression in leiomyoma, leading to lower levels of tryptophan in mut-MED12 leiomyoma. This highlights that fibroids can vary widely in their response to progesterone as a result of mutation status and provides some insight for understanding the effect of tryptophan-kynurenine pathway on leiomyoma tumorigenesis and identifying targeted interventions for fibroids based on their distinct molecular signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne P Hutchinson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street , Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Ping Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street , Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Ilona Neale
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street , Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - John S Coon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street , Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Stacy A Kujawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street , Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Shimeng Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street , Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street , Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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