RNAi-mediated blocking of ezrin reduces migration of ectopic endometrial cells in endometriosis

ECM1 promotes migration and invasion in endometriosis

Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is a glycoprotein that may be a key player in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, knowledge regarding the role of ECM1 in endometriosis (EM) is still lacking. Microarray analyses were performed to compare the mRNA expression patterns between paired EU tissues and ectopic endometrial (EC) tissues (n = 4) from EM patients. ECM1 expression was significantly increased in the eutopic endometrial (EU) tissues than paired EC tissues of endometriotic patients and normal endometrial (NE) tissues of controls without EM. Blocking ECM1 with siRNA attenuated the migration and invasion of hEM15A cells and modified the distribution of the F-actin cytoskeleton. We conducted microarray analyses and bioinformatics analyses to investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and related pathways regulated by ECM1. A total of 161 DEGs between the siECM1 and the negative control (siNC) treatments were identified, consisting of 79 downregulated genes and 82 upregulated genes. Enriched DEGs were associated with 9 gene ontology (GO) terms. Moreover, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for the hub genes and modules. Radixin (RDX) was the second most downregulated gene in the siECM1 group compared with the siNC group. ECM1 knockdown significantly decreased the expression of RDX, RhoC, ROCK1, N-cadherin and β-catenin but not ROCK2. ECM1 showed high tissue-specific expression in EU tissues from EM patients, and may contribute to the migration, invasion and reorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton in eutopic endometrial stromal cells via the RhoC/ROCK1 signaling pathway in EM.

Expression of ezrin protein and phosphorylated ezrin in pelvic endometriotic lesions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the expression of Ezrin and Phosphorylated Ezrin (Phospho-Ezrin) in endometriosis lesions and its relation to the menstrual cycle phase, stage of endometriosis, histological classification, and clinical symptoms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective study, with endometriotic lesions collected from women with endometriosis (n = 57) who underwent laparoscopy from 2017 to 2018. The expression of Ezrin and Phosphorylated Ezrin proteins was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

All the endometriotic lesions contained immunostaining for Ezrin in the glands. Phosphorylated Ezrin was expressed in the stroma of all endometriotic lesions. There was no difference in the Ezrin and Phosphorylated Ezrin's expression in the retrocervical, ovarian, superficial, and intestinal lesions in the same patient. Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, acyclic pain, infertility, and dysuria were similar in the three groups of Ezrin staining. There was an inversely proportional relationship between severe dyschezia and Ezrin's intensity, being 66.7% of Ezrin 1 (weak intensity), 36.7 Ezrin 2 (moderate intensity), and 10.0% of Ezrin 3 (p = 0.013). Regarding Phospho-Ezrin there wasn't a significant difference between all the analyzed variables. Histological classification and menstrual cycle phase had also no significant difference between Ezrin and Phospho-Ezrin immunostaining.

CONCLUSION

Ezrin protein and Phospho-Ezrin can be considered important markers to elucidate the mechanisms related to migration and attachment of endometriotic lesions. It is still unclear if Ezrin and Phospho-Ezrin are a cause or consequence of endometriosis. Further studies comparing different types of lesions and eutopic endometrium are necessary to elucidate the role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Nanoparticles in pregnancy: the next frontier in reproductive therapeutics

BACKGROUND

Nanotechnology involves the engineering of structures on a molecular level. Nanomedicine and nano-delivery systems have been designed to deliver therapeutic agents to a target site or organ in a controlled manner, maximizing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects of the therapeutic agent administered. In both reproductive medicine and obstetrics, developing innovative therapeutics is often tempered by fears of damage to the gamete, embryo or developing foetus or of negatively impacting a woman's reproductive potential. Thus, nanomedicine delivery systems may provide alternative targeted intervention strategies, treating the source of the disease and minimizing long-term consequences for the mother and/or her foetus.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

This review summarizes the current state of nanomedicine technology in reproductive medicine and obstetrics, including safety, potential applications, future directions and the hurdles for translation.

SEARCH METHODS

A comprehensive electronic literature search of PubMed and Web of Science databases was performed to identify studies published in English up until February 2020. Relevant keywords were used to obtain information regarding use of nanoparticle technology in fertility and gene therapy, early pregnancy complications (ectopic pregnancy and gestational trophoblastic disease) and obstetric complications (preeclampsia, foetal growth restriction, preterm birth and gestational diabetes) and for selective treatment of the mother or foetus. Safety of specific nanoparticles to the gamete, embryo and foetus was also investigated.

OUTCOMES

Pre-clinical research in the development of nanoparticle therapeutic delivery is being undertaken in many fields of reproductive medicine. Non-hormonal-targeted nanoparticle therapy for fibroids and endometriosis may provide fertility-sparing medical management. Delivery of interventions via nanotechnology provides opportunities for gene manipulation and delivery in mammalian gametes. Targeting cytotoxic treatments to early pregnancy tissue provides an alternative approach to manage ectopic pregnancies and gestational trophoblastic disease. In pregnancy, nanotherapeutic delivery offers options to stably deliver silencing RNA and microRNA inhibitors to the placenta to regulate gene expression, opening doors to novel genetic treatments for preeclampsia and foetal growth restriction. Restricting delivery of teratogenic drugs to the maternal compartment (such as warfarin) may reduce risks to the foetus. Alternatively, targeted delivery of drugs to the foetus (such as those to treat foetal arrythmias) may minimize side effects for the mother.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

We expect that further development of targeted therapies using nanoparticles in a reproductive setting has promise to eventually allow safe and directed treatments for conditions impacting the health and reproductive capacity of women and for the management of pregnancy and serious pregnancy complications.

CircARHGAP12 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma migration and invasion via ezrin-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling

An increasing number of studies have shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in malignant tumor initiation and progression; however, many circRNAs are yet unidentified, and the role of circRNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unclear. Using RNA sequencing, we discovered a novel circRNA, termed circARHGAP12, that was processed from the pre-mRNA of the ARHGAP12 gene. CircARHGAP12 was significantly upregulated in NPC tissues and cell lines and promoted NPC cell migration and invasion. Overexpression or knockdown experiments revealed that circARHGAP12 regulates the expression of cytoskeletal remodeling-related proteins EZR, TPM3, and RhoA. CircARHGAP12 was found to bind directly to the 3' UTR of EZR mRNA and promote its stability; moreover, EZR protein interacted with TPM3 and RhoA and formed a complex to promote NPC cell invasion and metastasis. This study identified the novel circRNA circARHGAP12, characterized its biological function and mechanism, and increased our understanding of circRNAs in NPC pathogenesis. In particular, circARHGAP12 was found to promote the malignant biological phenotype of NPC via cytoskeletal remodeling, thus providing a clue for targeted therapy of NPC.

RhoA/ROCK pathway mediates the effect of oestrogen on regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and proliferation in endometriosis

Endometriosis is a benign gynaecological disease appearing with pelvic pain, rising dysmenorrhoea and infertility seriously impacting on 10% of reproductive‐age females. This research attempts to demonstrate the function and molecular mechanism of RhoA/ROCK pathway on epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proliferation in endometriosis. The expression of Rho family was abnormally changed in endometriotic lesions; in particular, RhoA and ROCK1/2 were significantly elevated. Overexpression of RhoA in human eutopic endometrial epithelial cells (eutopic EECs) enhanced the cell mobility, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proliferation, and RhoA knockdown exhibited the opposite function. Oestrogen up‐regulated the RhoA activity and expression of RhoA and ROCK1/2. RhoA overexpression reinforced the effect of oestrogen on promoting EMT and proliferation, and RhoA knockdown impaired the effect of oestrogen. oestrogen receptor α (ERα) was involved with the regulation of oestrogen on EMT and proliferation and up‐regulated RhoA activity and expression of RhoA and ROCK1/2. The function of ERα was modulated by the change in RhoA expression. Furthermore, phosphorylated ERK that was enhanced by oestrogen and ERα promoted the protein expression of RhoA/ROCK pathway. Endometriosis mouse model revealed that oestrogen enhanced the size and weight of endometriotic lesions. The expression of RhoA and phosphorylated ERK in mouse endometriotic lesions was significantly elevated by oestrogen. We conclude that abnormal activated RhoA/ROCK pathway in endometriosis is responsible for the function of oestrogen/ERα/ERK signalling, which promoted EMT and proliferation and resulted in the development of endometriosis.

Ezrin T567 phosphorylation regulates migration and invasion of ectopic endometrial stromal cells by changing actin cytoskeleton

AIMS

The enhanced ability of endometrial cell migration and invasion is the foundation for formation of ectopic lesions in endometriosis. Ezrin has been reported to regulate cell motility by remodeling the cytoskeleton. However, little is known about the mechanisms through which ezrin remodels the cytoskeleton and cell structure to promote cell motility in endometriosis.

METHODS

In our study, expression and distribution of ezrin, and Rho pathway were detected through immunohistochemical analysis. The effects of inhibiting ezrin T567 phosphorylation on Rho signaling pathway and cytoskeleton were investigated through western blot, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

We found that the expression of ezrin and Rho pathway was higher in ectopic endometrium. NSC305787 inhibited the phosphorylation of ezrin T567, resulting in decreased expression of Rho pathway and reduced filopodia formation in ectopic endometrial stromal cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

Taken together, our study suggested that ezrin T567 phosphorylation modulated migration and invasion of ectopic ESCs through actin reconstructions, which may serve as a novel therapeutic target in ovarian endometriosis.

The Lymphatic System in Endometriosis: a Pilot Study of Endometrial-Like Cells and Immune Cell Populations in Lymph Nodes Associated with Deep Infiltrating Bowel Lesions

In endometriosis, the lymphatic and immune systems are implicated in disease establishment and progression. The objective of this pilot study was to examine endometrial-like, and for the first time, immune cell populations in lymph nodes associated with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) bowel lesions. Premenopausal women undergoing excision of endometriosis and/or hysterectomy were included. DIE bowel lesion-associated (n = 10) and other pelvic (n = 15) lymph nodes were studied. Samples were immunohistochemically stained for endometrial-like cells (CD10), T cells (CD3, CD4, CD8, and FoxP3), dendritic cells (DC; DC-Lamp and DC-Sign), B cells (CD20, CD79 and plasma), macrophages (CD68), and natural killer cells (NK; CD57). Cell abundance (percentage positive area) and antigen expression (optical density; OD) were quantified. Endometrial-like cells and each immune cell population were present in all studied nodes. The DIE bowel lesion-associated nodes showed features of immune activation, with T cell proliferation (CD3+ area p = 0.007, CD4+ area p = 0.015 compared with other pelvic nodes); and a mixture of helper and regulatory T cells, B cells, DCs, macrophages, and plasma cells present in the paracortex. In DIE bowel lesion-associated compared with other pelvic nodes, CD10+ endometrial-like cells were reduced (percentage positive area p < 0.001, OD p = 0.004). This study provides new insight into lymphatic and immune system involvement in advanced endometriosis. In particular, we have shown evidence of immune activation in DIE lesion-associated nodes. This was despite lower endometrial-like cell numbers compared with other pelvic nodes. The observations contribute to a developing understanding of the local immune response to advanced disease.

Dysregulation of miR-202-3p Affects Migration and Invasion of Endometrial Stromal Cells in Endometriosis via Targeting ROCK1

Dysregulation of microRNAs in endometrial cells plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis (EM). This study aims to investigate the implication of aberrant miR-202-3p expression in EM and the underlying mechanisms. We demonstrated that miR-202-3p was significantly downregulated in eutopic endometrium of EM in comparison to normal endometrial samples (P < 0.05). Primary endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) isolated from eutopic or ectopic endometrium also showed a significant decrease in miR-202-3p level compared to ESCs from normal endometrium (P < 0.01). Functional studies using MTT, wound healing assay and transwell assay indicated that overexpression of miR-202-3p greatly impaired cell viability, migration, and invasion, whereas suppression of miR-202-3p exhibited the opposite effects (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). miR-202-3p mimics or inhibitors transfection significantly decreased or increased expression of Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), respectively, in ESCs (P < 0.01). Using dual luciferase reporter assay, we validated ROCK1 as a direct target of miR-202-3p. Moreover, negative correlations between miR-202-3p and ROCK1 mRNA/protein levels were determined in both eutopic and normal control endometrium (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these findings suggest that suppression of miR-202-3p in ESCs results in enhanced cell viability, invasion, and migration at least partially via upregulation of its target ROCK1, which eventually contributes to the development of endometriosis.

Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuates endometriosis by inhibiting the viability of human ectopic endometrial stromal cells through the nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on human ectopic endometriotic stromal cells in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ectopic endometrial tissue specimens were obtained from 6 female patients with ovarian endometriosis who underwent laparoscopic surgical procedures. Endometrial stromal cells derived from isolated ectopic endometriotic lesions were cultured, and the purity and homogeneity of cells were verified by Immunocytochemistry. The effect of Rg3 on cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8). After treatment with Rg3, the protein expression of NF-κB p65 subunit, VEGF, and caspases3 were measured by western blot analysis. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 subunit was determined by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Rg3 inhibited the proliferation of ectopic endometriotic cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The treatment with Rg3 significantly diminished the level of NF-κB p65 subunit as well as TNF-α induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit in ectopic endometriotic cells. Moreover, Rg3 upregulated the expression of caspases3 but suppressed the expression of VEGF.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that Ginsenoside Rg3 suppresses endometriosis by reducing the viability of human ectopic endometrial stromal cells involving the nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway in vitro.

Ezrin Orchestrates Signal Transduction in Airway Cells

Ezrin is a critical structural protein that organizes receptor complexes and orchestrates their signal transduction. In this study, we review the ezrin-meditated regulation of critical receptor complexes, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), CD44, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and the deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) receptor. We also analyze the ezrin-meditated regulation of critical pathways associated with asthma, such as the RhoA, Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), and protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) pathways. Mounting evidence suggests that ezrin plays a role in controlling airway cell function and potentially contributes to respiratory diseases. Ezrin can participate in asthma pathogenesis by affecting bronchial epithelium repair, T lymphocyte regulation, and the contraction of the airway smooth muscle cells. These studies provide new insights for the design of novel therapeutic strategies for asthma treatment.

Non-coding RNAs in endometriosis: a narrative review

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is a benign gynaecological disorder, which affects 10% of reproductive-aged women and is characterized by endometrial cells from the lining of the uterus being found outside the uterine cavity. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms causing the development of this heterogeneous disease remain enigmatic, and a lack of effective biomarkers necessitates surgical intervention for diagnosis. There is international recognition that accurate non-invasive diagnostic tests and more effective therapies are urgently needed. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules, which are important regulators of cellular function, have been implicated in many chronic conditions. In endometriosis, transcriptome profiling of tissue samples and functional in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that ncRNAs are key contributors to the disease process.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

In this review, we outline the biogenesis of various ncRNAs relevant to endometriosis and then summarize the evidence indicating their roles in regulatory pathways that govern disease establishment and progression.

SEARCH METHODS

Articles from 2000 to 2016 were selected for relevance, validity and quality, from results obtained in PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar using the following search terms: ncRNA and reproduction; ncRNA and endometriosis; miRNA and endometriosis; lncRNA and endometriosis; siRNA and endometriosis; endometriosis; endometrial; cervical; ovary; uterus; reproductive tract. All articles were independently screened for eligibility by the authors.

OUTCOMES

This review integrates extensive information from all relevant published studies focusing on microRNAs, long ncRNAs and short inhibitory RNAs in endometriosis. We outline the biological function and synthesis of microRNAs, long ncRNAs and short inhibitory RNAs and provide detailed findings from human research as well as functional studies carried out both in vitro and in vivo, including animal models. Although variability in findings between individual studies exists, collectively, the extant literature justifies the conclusion that dysregulated ncRNAs are a significant element of the endometriosis condition.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

There is a compelling case that microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and short inhibitory RNAs have the potential to influence endometriosis development and persistence through modulating inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis and tissue remodelling. Rapid advances in ncRNA biomarker discovery and therapeutics relevant to endometriosis are emerging. Unravelling the significance of ncRNAs in endometriosis will pave the way for new diagnostic tests and identify new therapeutic targets and treatment approaches that have the potential to improve clinical options for women with this disabling condition.

RhoA/ROCK/ARHGAP26 signaling in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium is involved in clinical characteristics of adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate RhoA, RhoA-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) 1, ROCK2, and Rho GTPase-activating protein 26 (ARHGAP26) expression in the eutopic endometrium (EU) and ectopic endometrium (EC), and examine their relationships with the clinical characteristics of adenomyosis.

METHODS

Twenty patients with adenomyosis who underwent laparoscopy were recruited. Protein and mRNA expression of RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, and ARHGAP26 in EU and EC of patients with adenomyosis and in control endometrium without adenomyosis (CE) was detected.

RESULTS

ROCK1, ROCK2, and RhoA mRNA expression in EU was significantly higher than that in CE, and was highest in EC. ARHGAP26 mRNA expression in EC and EU was significantly lower than that in CE. ROCK1, ROCK2, and RhoA protein expression in EC and EU was significantly higher than that in CE. ARHGAP26 protein expression in EC and EU was significantly lower than that in CE. ROCK1, ROCK2, and RhoA gene and protein expression was positively associated and ARHGAP26 was negatively associated with the severity of menorrhagia and menstrual capacity in adenomyosis.

CONCLUSIONS

RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 expression is upregulated, and ARHGAP26 expression is downregulated in adenomyosis. The RhoA/ROCK-mediated signaling pathway is associated with dysmenorrhea and menstrual capacity in adenomyosis.

Polychlorinated biphenyl 104 promotes migration of endometrial stromal cells in endometriosis

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as part of environmental contaminants, have been proved to be related to endometriosis. This study is to investigate the effect of PCB 104 on cell migration, invasion and resultant gene expression in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Fifty-three specimens of eutopic endometrial tissues were collected from twenty-four women with endometriosis (EU-EMS) and twenty-nine women without endometriosis (EU-NON). Both EU-EMS and EU-NON were divided into the PCB 104 exposure group and the control group according to whether they were exposed to PCB 104. Primary cultured ESCs were exposed to PCB 104 at the micro molar doses (2 × 10^-3, 0.2 and 1 μmol/L) and concentrations of 2, 5 and 10 μmol/L in six-well plates. Cell mobility and proliferation assay were used to evaluate the effects of PCB 104 on the migration, invasion and proliferation of ESCs, and the effect of PCB 104 on actin cytoskeleton was also examined by immunofluorescence. Subsequently, the mRNA levels of related genes including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2, -3, -9, -10, E-cadherin, Snail, Slug and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) -2 in ESCs were examined by using real-time PCR, as well as protein levels of MMP-3 and MMP-10 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We explored the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-10 induced by PCB 104. Exposure to PCB 104 significantly increased the migration and invasion of ESCs. The mRNA and protein levels of MMP-3 and MMP-10 in ESCs treated with PCB 104 were higher than that in the control, with a dose- and time-dependent manner in mRNA level, while the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, E-cadherin, Snail and Slug did not change significantly. Taken together, PCB 104 promotes migration and invasion of ESCs by inducing the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-10, which may involved the EGFR signalling pathway.

Wenshen Xiaozheng Tang induces apoptosis and inhibits migration of ectopic endometriotic stromal cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wenshen Xiaozheng Tang (WXT), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, exerted a good therapeutic effect on endometriosis. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In the present study, we sought to evaluate the effect of WXT on the proliferation and migration of ectopic endometriotic stromal cells and explore the potential molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary stromal cells derived from ectopic endometriotic lesions of patients with endometriosis were isolated and cultured. The inhibition effect of WXT on cell proliferation was determined by MTT. Apoptosis of ectopic endometriotic cells treated with WXT was analyzed with Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD staining. The activation of caspases was detected by western blot analysis. The influence of WXT on migration of ectopic endometriotic cells was measured by scratch wound healing assay and Transwell assay. The DNA binding activity of NF-κB and the expression of nuclear p65 protein were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and western blot analysis, respectively. The impact of WXT on the expression of NF-κB regulated gene products involved in apoptosis and migration was determined by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

WXT inhibited the proliferation of ectopic endometriotic cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, WXT treatment resulted in significant induction of apoptosis through the activation of caspases and inhibition of migration in ectopic endometriotic cells. WXT notably suppressed constitutive NF-κB-DNA-binding activity as well as TNF-α induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit in ectopic endometriotic cells. Moreover, WXT diminished the expression of NF-κB regulated gene products involved in apoptosis and migration, including c-IAP1, c-IAP2, XIAP, survivin, Mcl-1, COX-2 and MMP-9.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that WXT induces apoptosis and inhibits migration of ectopic endometriotic stromal cells.

Silencing of SRA1 Regulates ER Expression and Attenuates the Growth of Stromal Cells in Ovarian Endometriosis

Estradiol and its nuclear receptors, estrogen receptor (ER) α and ER-β, have important functions in endometriosis, and the transcriptional activity of these receptors is modulated by coactivators and corepressors. The steroid receptor RNA activator 1 (SRA1) produces SRA long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and SRA protein (SRAP), which regulate ER expression at the RNA and protein levels in some hormone-dependent tumors via an alternative splicing event. However, only a few are reported on their expressions in endometriosis. Here, we observed that low expression levels of SRA lncRNA and ER-α but relatively high expression levels of SRAP and ER-β were detected in ovarian endometriotic tissues versus normal endometrial tissues. Steroid receptor RNA activator 1-small interfering RNA treatment significantly increased ER-α levels but reduced ER-β levels in endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs). Furthermore, the treatment can also attenuate the proliferation and promote early apoptosis in these cells. Our results indicate that the regulation of ER via SRA in ovarian endometriosis may play a significant role in the growth of ESCs.

Knockdown of ezrin suppresses the migration and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro

Progressive tumor growth is dependent on angiogenesis. The mechanisms by which endothelial cells (ECs) are incorporated to develop new blood vessels are not well understood. Recent studies reveal that the ezrin radixin moesin (ERM) family members are key regulators of cellular activities such as adhesion, morphogenetic change, and migration. We hypothesized that ezrin, one of the ERM family members, may play important roles in ECs organization during angiogenesis, and new vessels formation in preexisting tissues. To test this hypothesis, in this study, we investigated the effects of ezrin gene silencing on the migration and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. HUVECs were transfected with plasmids with ezrin-targeting short hairpin RNA by using the lipofectamine-2000 system. Wound assay in vitro and three-dimensional culture were used to detect the migration and angiogenesis capacity of HUVECs. The morphological changes of transfected cells were observed by confocal and phase contrast microscopy. Our results demonstrated that the decreased expression of ezrin in HUVECs significantly induced the morphogenetic changes and cytoskeletal reorganization of the transfected cells, and also reduced cell migration and angiogenesis capacity in vitro, suggesting that ezrin play an important role in the process of HUVECs migration and angiogenesis.

Elevated phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL-3) promotes cytoskeleton reorganization, cell migration and invasion in endometrial stromal cells from endometrioma

STUDY QUESTION

Is phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) associated with increased motility of endometriotic cells from endometrioma?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Elevated PRL-3 promotes cytoskeleton reorganization, cell migration and invasion of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) from endometrioma.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Overexpression of PRL-3 is associated with cancer cell migration, invasion and metastatic phenotype.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Primary human ESCs were isolated from eutopic endometrium of women without endometriosis (EuCo, n = 10), with histologically proven endometrioma (EuEM, n = 19) and from the cyst wall of ovarian endometriosis (OvEM, n = 26).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

The expression of PRL-3 in ESCs derived from EuCo, EuEM and OvEM at different phases of menstrual cycle were compared. The protein and mRNA levels of PRL-3 were examined by western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. ESCs from OvEM were transfected with/without short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or small interfering RNA (siRNA). Additionally, a plasmid-mediated delivery system was used to achieve PRL-3 overexpression in ESCs from EuEM. The cellular distribution of F-actin and α-tubulin were examined by immunocytochemistry. Cell motility was evaluated by a transwell migration/invasion assay.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The protein and mRNA levels of PRL-3 are significantly elevated in ESCs from OvEM compared with EuCo and EuEM. The expression of PRL-3 was not altered between proliferative phase and secretory phase in ESCs from all groups. Knockdown of PRL-3 significantly modified the distribution of F-actin and α-tubulin cytoskeleton, inhibited cell migration and invasion. Endogenous inhibition of PRL-3 attenuated the expression of Ras homolog gene family members A and C (RhoA, RhoC), Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, but not MMP2 in ESCs from OvEM. Additionally, overexpression of PRL-3 in ESCs from EuEM up-regulates cell migration and invasion, and increases the expression of RhoA, RhoC, ROCK1 and MMP9.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Lack of in vivo animal studies is the major limitation of our report. Our results should be further confirmed in a larger cohort of patients and extended to include eutopic and ectopic endometrium from patients with peritoneal endometriosis at different stages of the disease.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our study describes that elevated expression of PRL-3 contributes to the cell motility of ESCs from endometrioma. The results emphasize the importance of metastatic-related factor PRL-3 in the pathogenesis of endometrioma.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81170546) and Zhejiang Medicine Science and Technology Projects (No. Y13H040003). The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Stem cell differentiation increases membrane-actin adhesion regulating cell blebability, migration and mechanics

This study examines how differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells regulates the interaction between the cell membrane and the actin cortex controlling cell behavior. Micropipette aspiration was used to measure the pressure required for membrane-cortex detachment which increased from 0.15 kPa in stem cells to 0.71 kPa following chondrogenic differentiation. This effect was associated with reduced susceptibility to mechanical and osmotic bleb formation, reduced migration and an increase in cell modulus. Theoretical modelling of bleb formation demonstrated that the increased stiffness of differentiated cells was due to the increased membrane-cortex adhesion. Differentiated cells exhibited greater F-actin density and slower actin remodelling. Differentiated cells also expressed greater levels of the membrane-cortex ezrin, radixin, moeisin (ERM) linker proteins which was responsible for the reduced blebability, as confirmed by transfection of stem cells with dominant active ezrin-T567D-GFP. This study demonstrates that stem cells have an inherently weak membrane-cortex adhesion which increases blebability thereby regulating cell migration and stiffness.

CD26/DPPIV down-regulation in endometrial stromal cell migration in endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) in endometriosis exhibit increased cell motility under hypoxia.

DESIGN

Prospective case-control study.

SETTING

University research laboratory.

PATIENT(S)

Women with endometriosis (n = 18) or benign gynecological disease (n=19).

INTERVENTION(S)

Eutopic ESCs were cultured under normoxia (20% O2) or hypoxia (6.5% O2), and migration and invasion capacity assayed, with pathway-focused polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and ELISAs performed. CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) expression was determined by flow cytometric analysis and enzymatic activity assay. The ESCs supplemented with Diprotin A (CD26 inhibitor), stromal cell-derived factor-1α, or AMD3100 (C-X-C motif receptor 4; CXCR4 blocker) were assayed for their migratory potential.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Endometrial stromal cell migration and invasion under hypoxia.

RESULT(S)

Endometriotic ESCs showed significantly higher migration and invasion through collagen gels under hypoxia compared with nonendometriotic ESCs. The PCR array revealed down-regulation of the migration inhibitor CD26/DPPIV and up-regulation of angiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor A, C-X-C motif Ligand 6; CXCL6) in endometriotic ESCs under hypoxia. The CD26/DPPIV surface expression and activity as well as angiogenic protein secretions suggested that the molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant migratory and angiogenic behavior in endometriotic ESCs. A combinatorial treatment with diprotin A and stromal cell-derived factor-1α effectively enhanced migration and invasion preferentially in endometriotic ESCs cultured hypoxically.

CONCLUSION(S)

Loss of CD26/DPPIV under hypoxia and the subsequent increase in migratory and angiogenic factors may favor conditions for lesion development in endometriosis.

Role of moesin in hyaluronan induced cell migration in glioblastoma multiforme

Background

A major barrier to effective treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the invasion of glioma cells into the brain parenchyma rendering local therapies such as surgery and radiation therapy ineffective. GBM patients with such highly invasive and infiltrative tumors have poor prognosis with a median survival time of only about a year. However, the mechanisms leading to increased cell migration, invasion and diffused behavior of glioma cells are still poorly understood.

Methods

In the current study, we applied quantitative proteomics for the identification of differentially expressed proteins in GBMs as compared to non-malignant brain tissues.

Results

Our study led to the identification of 23 proteins showing overexpression in GBM; these include membrane proteins, moesin and CD44. The results were verified using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in independent set of GBM and non-malignant brain tissues. Both GBM tissues and glioma cell lines (U87 / U373) demonstrated membranous expression of moesin and CD44, as revealed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, respectively. Notably, glioma cells transfected with moesin siRNA displayed reduced migration and invasion on treatment with hyaluronan (HA), an important component of the extracellular matrix in GBM. CD44, a transmembrane glycoprotein, acts as a major receptor for hyaluronan (HA). Using co-immunoprecipitation assays, we further demonstrated that moesin interacts with CD44 in glioma cells only after treatment with HA; this implicates a novel role of moesin in HA-CD44 signaling in gliomas.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that development of inhibitors which interfere with CD44-moesin interactions may open a new avenue in the future to mitigate cellular migration in gliomas.

A link between two tumorigenic proteins, CD44 and p21WAF1: CD44 increases phorbol ester-induced expression of p21WAF1 by stabilizing its mRNA and extending protein half-life

The cell surface glycoprotein CD44 enhances phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA)-induced expression of p21WAF1 by stabilizing its mRNA and enhancing the protein's half-life in several cell lines. Only the plasma membrane-anchored cytoplasmic tail of CD44 and its interacting ezrin, radixin, moesin (ERM) proteins are required for this effect. A mitogen activated kinase (MEK) inhibitor abolishes the action of CD44 on p21. Down-regulation of p21 dramatically decreased anchorage-independence of a cancer cell line, whereas CD44 expression in this background could partially rescue the phenotype.

The motile and invasive capacity of human endometrial stromal cells: implications for normal and impaired reproductive function

BACKGROUND Mechanisms underlying early reproductive loss in the human are beginning to be elucidated. The migratory and invasive capacity of human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) is increasingly recognized to contribute to the intense tissue remodelling associated with embryo implantation, trophoblast invasion and endometrial regeneration. In this review, we examine the signals and mechanisms that control ESC migration and invasion and assess how deregulation of these cell functions contributes to common reproductive disorders. METHODS The PubMed database was searched for publications on motility and invasiveness of human ESCs in normal endometrial function and in reproductive disorders including implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), endometriosis and adenomyosis, covering the period 2000-2012. RESULTS Increasing evidence suggests that implantation failure and RPL involve abnormal migratory responses of decidualizing ESCs to embryo and trophoblast signals. Numerous reports indicate that endometriosis, as well as adenomyosis, is associated with increased basal and stimulated invasiveness of ESCs and their progenitor cells, suggesting a link between a heightened menstrual repair response and the formation of ectopic implants. Migration and invasiveness of ESCs are controlled by a complex array of hormones, growth factors, chemokines and inflammatory mediators, and involve signalling through Rho GTPases, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. CONCLUSIONS Novel concepts are extending our understanding of the key functions of ESCs in effecting tissue repair imposed by cyclic menstruation and parturition. Migration of decidualizing ESCs also serves to support blastocyst implantation and embryo selection through discriminate motile responses directed by embryo quality. Targeting regulatory molecules holds promise for developing new strategies for the treatment of reproductive disorders such as endometriosis and recurrent miscarriage; and harnessing the migratory capacity of progenitor mesenchymal stem cells in the endometrium may offer new opportunities in regenerative medicine.

RHOC: a key gene for endometriosis

Considerable efforts have been invested in elucidating the potential mechanisms involved in the physiopathology of endometriosis. The aims of our study were to investigate whether RHOC expression is differentially altered in the endometrium and in endometriotic lesions. A total of 40 patients diagnosed with endometriosis and 15 healthy fertile women were selected for the study. Paired biopsies of endometrial tissue (eutopic endometrium) and endometriotic lesions (ectopic endometrium) were obtained from the patients with endometriosis. Endometrium from women without endometriosis was used as a control. Expression of the RHOC gene was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in autologous endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis and in the endometrium of control women. Increased RHOC expression was detected in endometriotic lesions compared to the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and control women. RHOC changes may be among the key elements involved in the origin and the maintenance of endometriosis.