1
|
Martin JH, Mohammed R, Delforce SJ, Skerrett-Byrne DA, de Meaultsart CC, Almazi JG, Stephens AN, Verrills NM, Dimitriadis E, Wang Y, Lumbers ER, Pringle KG. Role of the prorenin receptor in endometrial cancer cell growth. Oncotarget 2022; 13:587-599. [PMID: 35401936 PMCID: PMC8986267 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta H. Martin
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Riazuddin Mohammed
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Sarah J. Delforce
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David A. Skerrett-Byrne
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Celine Corbisier de Meaultsart
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Juhura G. Almazi
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew N. Stephens
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Australia and Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole M. Verrills
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Gynaecology Research Centre, The Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eugenie R. Lumbers
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kirsty G. Pringle
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Identification of Estrogen Signaling in a Prioritization Study of Intraocular Pressure-Associated Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910288. [PMID: 34638643 PMCID: PMC8508848 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Herein we sought to prioritize a set of previously identified IOP-associated genes using novel and previously published datasets. We identified several genes for future study, including several involved in cytoskeletal/extracellular matrix reorganization, cell adhesion, angiogenesis, and TGF-β signaling. Our differential correlation analysis of IOP-associated genes identified 295 pairs of 201 genes with differential correlation. Pathway analysis identified β-estradiol as the top upstream regulator of these genes with ESR1 mediating 25 interactions. Several genes (i.e., EFEMP1, FOXC1, and SPTBN1) regulated by β-estradiol/ESR1 were highly expressed in non-glaucomatous human trabecular meshwork (TM) or Schlemm’s canal (SC) cells and specifically expressed in TM/SC cell clusters defined by single-cell RNA-sequencing. We confirmed ESR1 gene and protein expression in human TM cells and TM/SC tissue with quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence, respectively. 17β-estradiol was identified in bovine, porcine, and human aqueous humor (AH) using ELISA. In conclusion, we have identified estrogen receptor signaling as a key modulator of several IOP-associated genes. The expression of ESR1 and these IOP-associated genes in TM/SC tissue and the presence of 17β-estradiol in AH supports a role for estrogen signaling in IOP regulation.
Collapse
|
3
|
Prolonged atrazine exposure beginning in utero and adult uterine morphology in mice. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 13:39-48. [PMID: 33781367 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174421000106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Through drinking water, humans are commonly exposed to atrazine, a herbicide that acts as an endocrine and metabolic disruptor. It interferes with steroidogenesis, including promoting oestrogen production and altering cell metabolism. However, its precise impact on uterine development remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of prolonged atrazine exposure on the uterus. Pregnant mice (n = 5/group) received 5 mg/kg body weight/day atrazine or DMSO in drinking water from gestational day 9.5 until weaning. Offspring continued to be exposed until 3 or 6 months of age (n = 5-9/group), when uteri were collected for morphological and molecular analyses and steroid quantification. Endometrial hyperplasia and leiomyoma were evident in the uteri of atrazine-exposed mice. Uterine oestrogen concentration, oestrogen receptor expression, and localisation were similar between groups, at both ages (P > 0.1). The expression and localisation of key epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes and proteins, critical for tumourigenesis, remained unchanged between treatments, at both ages (P > 0.1). Hence, oestrogen-mediated changes to established EMT markers do not appear to underlie abnormal uterine morphology evident in atrazine exposure mice. This is the first report of abnormal uterine morphology following prolonged atrazine exposure starting in utero, it is likely that the abnormalities identified would negatively affect female fertility, although mechanisms remain unknown and require further study.
Collapse
|
4
|
Zafir S, Zhou W, Menkhorst E, Santos L, Dimitriadis E. MAML1: a coregulator that alters endometrial epithelial cell adhesive capacity. FERTILITY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 7:8. [PMID: 33773601 PMCID: PMC8004388 DOI: 10.1186/s40738-021-00100-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormalities in endometrial receptivity has been identified as a major barrier to successful embryo implantation. Endometrial receptivity refers to the conformational and biochemical changes occurring in the endometrial epithelial layer which make it adhesive and receptive to blastocyst attachment. This takes place during the mid-secretory phase of woman's menstrual cycle and is a result of a delicate interplay between numerous hormones, cytokines and other factors. Outside of this window, the endometrium is refractory to an implanting blastocyst. It has been shown that Notch ligands and receptors are dysregulated in the endometrium of infertile women. Mastermind Like Transcriptional Coactivator 1 (MAML1) is a known coactivator of the Notch signaling pathway. This study aimed to determine the role of MAML1 in regulating endometrial receptivity. METHODS The expression and localization of MAML1 in the fertile human endometrium (non-receptive proliferative phase versus receptive mid-secretory phase) were determined by immunohistochemistry. Ishikawa cells were used as an endometrial epithelial model to investigate the functional consequences of MAML1 knockdown on endometrial adhesive capacity to HTR8/SVneo (trophoblast cell line) spheroids. After MAML1 knockdown in Ishikawa cells, the expression of endometrial receptivity markers and Notch dependent and independent pathway members were assessed by qPCR. Two-tailed unpaired or paired student's t-test were used for statistical analysis with a significance threshold of P < 0.05. RESULTS MAML1 was localized in the luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium and stroma of human endometrium and the increased expression identified in the mid-secretory phase was restricted only to the luminal epithelium (P < 0.05). Functional analysis using Ishikawa cells demonstrated that knockdown of MAML1 significantly reduced epithelial adhesive capacity (P < 0.01) to HTR8/SVneo (trophoblast cell line) spheroids compared to control. MAML1 knockdown significantly affected the expression of classical receptivity markers (SPP1, DPP4) and this response was not directly via hormone receptors. The expression level of Hippo pathway target Ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein 1 (ANKRD1) was also affected after MAML1 knockdown in Ishikawa cells. CONCLUSION Our data strongly suggest that MAML1 is involved in regulating the endometrial adhesive capacity and may facilitate embryo attachment, either directly or indirectly through the Notch signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Zafir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Ellen Menkhorst
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Leilani Santos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia. .,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Santos LL, Ling CK, Dimitriadis E. Tripeptidyl peptidase I promotes human endometrial epithelial cell adhesive capacity implying a role in receptivity. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2020; 18:124. [PMID: 33317560 PMCID: PMC7734757 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-020-00682-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The endometrium undergoes cyclic remodelling throughout the menstrual cycle in preparation for embryo implantation which occurs in a short window during the mid-secretory phase. It is during this short 'receptive window' that the endometrial luminal epithelium acquires adhesive capacity permitting blastocysts firm adhesion to the endometrium to establish pregnancy. Dysregulation in any of these steps can compromise embryo implantation resulting in implantation failure and infertility. Many factors contribute to these processes including TGF-β, LIF, IL-11 and proteases. Tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) is a is a lysosomal serine-type protease however the contribution of the TPP1 to receptivity is unknown. We aimed to investigate the role of TPP1 in receptivity in humans.In the current study, TPP1 was expressed in both epithelial and stromal compartments of the endometrium across the menstrual cycle. Expression was confined to the cytoplasm of luminal and glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells. Staining of mid-secretory endometrial tissues of women with normal fertility and primary unexplained infertility showed reduced immunostaining intensity of TPP1 in luminal epithelial cells of infertile tissues compared to fertile tissues. By contrast, TPP1 levels in glandular epithelial and stromal cells were comparable in both groups in the mid-secretory phase. Inhibition of TPP1 using siRNA compromised HTR8/SVneo (trophoblast cell line) spheroid adhesion on siRNA-transfected Ishikawa cells (endometrial epithelial cell line) in vitro. This impairment was associated with decreased sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), BCL2 and p53 mRNA and unaltered, CD44, CDH1, CDH2, ITGB3, VEGF A, OSTEOPONTIN, MDM2, CASP4, MCL1, MMP2, ARF6, SGK1, HOXA-10, LIF, and LIF receptor gene expression between treatment groups. siRNA knockdown of TPP1 in primary human endometrial stromal cells did not affect decidualization nor the expression of decidualization markers prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1). Taken together, our data strongly suggests a role for TPP1 in endometrial receptivity via its effects on epithelial cell adhesion and suggests reduced levels associated with unexplained infertility may contribute to implantation failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leilani L Santos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Cheuk Kwan Ling
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Gynaecology Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Advances in Understanding TKS4 and TKS5: Molecular Scaffolds Regulating Cellular Processes from Podosome and Invadopodium Formation to Differentiation and Tissue Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218117. [PMID: 33143131 PMCID: PMC7663256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Scaffold proteins are typically thought of as multi-domain "bridging molecules." They serve as crucial regulators of key signaling events by simultaneously binding multiple participants involved in specific signaling pathways. In the case of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) binding, the activated EGFR contacts cytosolic SRC tyrosine-kinase, which then becomes activated. This process leads to the phosphorylation of SRC-substrates, including the tyrosine kinase substrates (TKS) scaffold proteins. The TKS proteins serve as a platform for the recruitment of key players in EGFR signal transduction, promoting cell spreading and migration. The TKS4 and the TKS5 scaffold proteins are tyrosine kinase substrates with four or five SH3 domains, respectively. Their structural features allow them to recruit and bind a variety of signaling proteins and to anchor them to the cytoplasmic surface of the cell membrane. Until recently, TKS4 and TKS5 had been recognized for their involvement in cellular motility, reactive oxygen species-dependent processes, and embryonic development, among others. However, a number of novel functions have been discovered for these molecules in recent years. In this review, we attempt to cover the diverse nature of the TKS molecules by discussing their structure, regulation by SRC kinase, relevant signaling pathways, and interaction partners, as well as their involvement in cellular processes, including migration, invasion, differentiation, and adipose tissue and bone homeostasis. We also describe related pathologies and the established mouse models.
Collapse
|
7
|
Whitby S, Zhou W, Dimitriadis E. Alterations in Epithelial Cell Polarity During Endometrial Receptivity: A Systematic Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:596324. [PMID: 33193109 PMCID: PMC7652731 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.596324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal endometrial receptivity is one of the major causes of embryo implantation failure and infertility. The plasma membrane transformation (PMT) describes the collective morphological and molecular alterations occurring to the endometrial luminal epithelium across the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle to facilitate implantation. Dysregulation of this process directly affects endometrial receptivity and implantation. Multiple parallels between these alterations to confer endometrial receptivity in women have been drawn to those seen during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumorigenesis. Understanding these similarities and differences will improve our knowledge of implantation biology, and may provide novel therapeutic targets to manage implantation failure. METHODS A systematic review was performed using the Medline (Ovid), Embase, and Web of Science databases without additional limits. The search terms used were "(plasma membrane* or cell membrane*) and transformation*" and "endometrium or endometrial." Research studies on the PMT or its regulation in women, discussing either the endometrial epithelium, decidualized stroma, or both, were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS A total of 198 articles were identified. Data were extracted from 15 studies that matched the inclusion criteria. Collectively, these included studies confirmed the alterations occurring to the endometrial luminal epithelium during the PMT are similar to those seen during the EMT. Such similarities included alterations to the actin cytoskeleton remodeling of adherens junctions, integrin expression and epithelial-stromal communication. These were also some differences between these processes, such as the regulation of tight junctions and mucins, which need to be further researched. CONCLUSIONS This review raised the prospect of shared and distinct mechanisms existing in PMT and EMT. Further investigation into similarities between the PMT in the endometrium and the EMT in tumorigenesis may provide new mechanistic insights into PMT and new targets for the management of implantation failure and infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Whitby
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Evdokia Dimitriadis,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Loke H, Rainczuk K, Dimitriadis E. MicroRNA Biogenesis Machinery Is Dysregulated in the Endometrium of Infertile Women Suggesting a Role in Receptivity and Infertility. J Histochem Cytochem 2019; 67:589-599. [PMID: 31145039 DOI: 10.1369/0022155419854064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate endometrial function and their dysregulation could underlie unexplained infertility in women. Ribonucleases including DICER and DROSHA, and the proteins, ARGONAUTE 1 (AGO 1) and 2 (AGO 2) regulate the biogenesis/maturation of miRs. We aimed to elucidate the expression and localization of miR biogenesis machinery components during the human menstrual cycle and compare their levels in endometrium from women with normal fertility and primary unexplained infertility. miR biogenesis components were measured by quantitative-RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. In the endometrium of women with normal fertility, DROSHA immunolocalized maximally to the epithelium during the early and mid-secretory phases compared with the proliferative and late-secretory phases. Stromal DICER immunostaining intensity was higher in the late-secretory phase compared with all other phases in fertile women. DROSHA mRNA was reduced in the mid-secretory-infertile whole endometrial tissue (has all cells of the tissue), and primary epithelial and stromal cells while no differences were found in DICER, AGO1, and AGO2 mRNA. In the luminal epithelium, DROSHA staining intensity was reduced in early and mid-secretory-infertile while DICER staining was reduced in the early secretory-infertile compared with their respective fertile groups. DICER and DROSHA were dynamically regulated across the menstrual cycle and reduced levels during receptivity phase could underlie implantation failure/infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Loke
- Embryo Implantation Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate Rainczuk
- Embryo Implantation Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Embryo Implantation Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Proestling K, Yotova I, Gamperl S, Hauser C, Wenzl R, Schneeberger C, Szabo L, Mairhofer M, Husslein H, Kuessel L. Enhanced expression of TACE contributes to elevated levels of sVCAM-1 in endometriosis. Mol Hum Reprod 2019; 25:76-87. [PMID: 30395261 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gay042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are increased sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme (TACE) activity in endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER Here we provide the first functional evidence that induced TACE activity in human endometriotic epithelial cells is at least in part responsible for the enhanced release of sVCAM-1 from these cells. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY We and others have shown that serum-soluble (s)VCAM-1 levels are significantly higher in women with endometriosis, compared to disease-free controls. Experimental evidence exists suggesting a role of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. TACE was identified as the protease responsible for phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced VCAM-1 release in murine endothelial cells. Additionally, it has recently been shown that TACE is upregulated in the endometrial luminal epithelium of the mid-secretory phase in infertile women. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study was conducted at the Tertiary Endometriosis Referral Center of the Medical University of Vienna. Samples from a total number of 97 women were collected between July 2013 and September 2014. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS After complete surgical exploration of the abdominopelvic cavity, 49 women with histologically proven endometriosis and 48 endometriosis-free control women were enrolled. Each participating woman contributed only one sample of eutopic endometrium and normal peritoneum, and some of the women with endometriosis contributed samples of diverse types of endometriotic lesions (in total 52 ectopic samples). Among the 49 women with endometriosis, 36 matched samples of endometriotic lesions and corresponding eutopic endometrium were collected. In order to detect sVCAM-1 and TACE protein by ELISA, peritoneal fluid (PF) samples were collected from 44 cases and 32 controls during surgery. Expression of TACE mRNA was analyzed by qRT-PCR in 111 endometrium tissue samples (28 eutopic control samples, 33 eutopic samples from women with endometriosis, 50 ectopic samples from lesions) and 37 healthy peritoneum samples. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 123 tissue samples (39 eutopic control samples, 42 eutopic samples from women with endometriosis, 42 ectopic samples from lesions) and the relation between tissue TACE protein levels and sVCAM-1 secretion was examined. PMA-induced sVCAM-1 release, and TACE- and VCAM-1-transcripts or proteins were measured in an immortalized endometriotic epithelial cell line (11Z) pre-incubated either with TACE inhibitors or following TACE siRNA knockdown. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Here, we demonstrate that TACE protein is overexpressed in epithelium of tissue samples of both eutopic endometrium and ectopic lesions of women with endometriosis compared to disease-free controls (P < 0.001 both) and that the overexpression of the protein in the lesions is due to activation of TACE gene transcription (P < 0.001). Moreover, epithelial TACE protein was significantly higher in ectopic samples than in corresponding eutopic tissue of women with the disease (P < 0.001). High endometrial tissue TACE protein expression correlated with higher serum sVCAM-1 levels (P < 0.05) but not with sICAM-1 levels. Inhibition of TACE either by TACE inhibitors or by TACE siRNA knockdown resulted in decreased PMA-induced shedding of sVCAM-1 in vitro (P < 0.005 or P < 0.01, respectively), but the TACE inhibitors did not affect transcription of TACE or VCAM-1. Additionally, we observed an upregulation of TACE in proliferative endometrial epithelium of infertile (P < 0.005), compared to fertile women. TACE was increased in infertile women with endometriosis (P = 0.051) but not in infertile women without endometriosis. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Albeit well characterized, our control population included women with other gynecologic diseases, which may have impacted the levels of sVCAM-1 and tissue TACE expression levels, e.g. benign ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids. Thus, the results of our analysis have to be interpreted carefully and in the context of the current experimental settings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The dysregulation of TACE substrate shedding represents a promising yet relatively unexplored area of endometriosis progression and could serve as a basis for the development of new treatments of the disease. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Ingrid Flick Foundation. The authors have no competing interests to declare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Proestling
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Iveta Yotova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Gamperl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Hauser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rene Wenzl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Schneeberger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ladislaus Szabo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mario Mairhofer
- TIMed CENTER, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Linz, Austria
| | - Heinrich Husslein
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Kuessel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang L, Liu X, Liu J, Zhou Z, Song Y, Cao B, An X. miR-182 aids in receptive endometrium development in dairy goats by down-regulating PTN expression. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179783. [PMID: 28678802 PMCID: PMC5497977 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has shown that miRNAs play important roles in endometrium development during the menstrual cycle in humans and many other animals. Our previous data indicated that miR-182 levels increase 15.55-fold and pleiotrophin (PTN) levels decrease 20.97-fold in the receptive endometrium (RE, D15) compared with the pre-receptive endometrium (PE, D5) in dairy goats. The present study shows that miR-182 is widely expressed in different tissues of dairy goats and that its expression levels are regulated by E2 and P4 in endometrial epithelium cells (EECs). We confirmed that PTN is a target of miR-182 and that miR-182 regulates the protein levels of AKT, Bcl-2, FAS, MAPK, Caspase-3 and SP1 in EECs. Furthermore, miR-182 up-regulates or maintains the expression levels of osteopontin (OPN), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) in EECs, suggesting that miR-182 is an important regulatory factor in the construction of endometrial receptivity in dairy goats. In conclusion, miR-182 participates in the development of endometrial receptivity by down-regulating PTN and affecting the expression of select apoptosis-related genes and increasing or maintaining the expression levels of OPN, COX-2 and PRLR in the EECs of dairy goats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaorui Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junze Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhanqin Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuxuan Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Binyun Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaopeng An
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|