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Tao T, Mo X, Zhao L. Identifying novel potential drug targets for endometriosis via plasma proteome screening. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1416978. [PMID: 39036049 PMCID: PMC11257892 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1416978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic painful condition that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. Currently, surgery or medication can only provide limited symptom relief. This study used a comprehensive genetic analytical approach to explore potential drug targets for EM in the plasma proteome. Methods In this study, 2,923 plasma proteins were selected as exposure and EM as outcome for two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. The plasma proteomic data were derived from the UK Biobank Pharmaceutical Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP), while the EM dataset from the FinnGen consortium R10 release data. Several sensitivity analyses were performed, including summary-data-based MR (SMR) analyses, heterogeneity in dependent instruments (HEIDI) test, reverse MR analyses, steiger detection test, and bayesian co-localization analyses. Furthermore, proteome-wide association study (PWAS) and single-cell transcriptomic analyses were also conducted to validate the findings. Results Six significant (p < 3.06 × 10-5) plasma protein-EM pairs were identified by MR analyses. These included EPHB4 (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.20 - 1.63), FSHB (OR = 3.91, 95% CI: 3.13 - 4.87), RSPO3 (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.38 - 1.86), SEZ6L2 (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.23 - 1.68) and WASHC3 (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.54 - 2.59) were identified as risk factors, whereas KDR (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75 - 0.90) was found to be a protective factor. All six plasma proteins passed the SMR test (P < 8.33 × 10-3), but only four plasma proteins passed the HEIDI heterogeneity test (PHEIDI > 0.05), namely FSHB, RSPO3, SEZ6L2 and EPHB4. These four proteins showed strong evidence of co-localization (PPH4 > 0.7). In particular, RSPO3 and EPHB4 were replicated in the validated PWAS. Single-cell analyses revealed high expression of SEZ6L2 and EPHB4 in stromal and epithelial cells within EM lesions, while RSPO3 exhibited elevated expression in stromal cells and fibroblasts. Conclusion Our study identified FSHB, RSPO3, SEZ6L2, and EPHB4 as potential drug targets for EM and highlighted the critical role of stromal and epithelial cells in disease development. These findings provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of EM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tao
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Mo
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liangbin Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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2
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Ma W, Zhu M, Wang B, Gong Z, Du X, Yang T, Shi X, Dai B, Zhan Y, Zhang D, Ji Y, Wang Y, Li S, Zhang Y. Vandetanib drives growth arrest and promotes sensitivity to imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia by targeting ephrin type-B receptor 4. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:2747-2765. [PMID: 35689424 PMCID: PMC9297786 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogenic role of ephrin type‐B receptor 4 (EPHB4) has been reported in many types of tumors, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Here, we found that CML patients have a higher EPHB4 expression level than healthy subjects. EPHB4 knockdown inhibited growth of K562 cells (a human immortalized myelogenous leukemia cell line). In addition, transient transfection of EPHB4 siRNA led to sensitization to imatinib. These growth defects could be fully rescued by EPHB4 transfection. To identify an EPHB4‐specific inhibitor with the potential of rapid translation into the clinic, a pool of clinical compounds was screened and vandetanib was found to be most sensitive to K562 cells, which express a high level of EPHB4. Vandetanib mainly acts on the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain and interacts stably with a hydrophobic pocket. Furthermore, vandetanib downregulated EPHB4 protein via the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway and inhibited PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways in K562 cells. Vandetanib alone significantly inhibited tumor growth in a K562 xenograft model. Furthermore, the combination of vandetanib and imatinib exhibited enhanced and synergistic growth inhibition against imatinib‐resistant K562 cells in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that vandetanib drives growth arrest and overcomes the resistance to imatinib in CML via targeting EPHB4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weina Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Man Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhengyan Gong
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Xia Du
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Tianfeng Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Xianpeng Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Bingling Dai
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Yingzhuan Zhan
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanhong Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Yang Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Song Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Center for Pharmacogenetics, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
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3
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Grambow E, Sorg H, Sorg CGG, Strüder D. Experimental Models to Study Skin Wound Healing with a Focus on Angiogenesis. Med Sci (Basel) 2021; 9:medsci9030055. [PMID: 34449673 PMCID: PMC8395822 DOI: 10.3390/medsci9030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A large number of models are now available for the investigation of skin wound healing. These can be used to study the processes that take place in a phase-specific manner under both physiological and pathological conditions. Most models focus on wound closure, which is a crucial parameter for wound healing. However, vascular supply plays an equally important role and corresponding models for selective or parallel investigation of microcirculation regeneration and angiogenesis are also described. In this review article, we therefore focus on the different levels of investigation of skin wound healing (in vivo to in virtuo) and the investigation of angiogenesis and its parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eberhard Grambow
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Heiko Sorg
- Department of Health, University of Witten/Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Str. 50, 58455 Witten, Germany;
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Westfalen, Am Knappschaftskrankenhaus 1, 44309 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christian G. G. Sorg
- Chair of Management and Innovation in Health Care, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Management, Economics and Society, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455 Witten, Germany;
| | - Daniel Strüder
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery “Otto Körner”, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
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4
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Nenicu A, Yordanova K, Gu Y, Menger MD, Laschke MW. Differences in growth and vascularization of ectopic menstrual and non-menstrual endometrial tissue in mouse models of endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2202-2214. [PMID: 34109385 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there a difference in the growth and vascularization between murine endometriotic lesions originating from menstrual or non-menstrual endometrial fragments? SUMMARY ANSWER Endometriotic lesions developing from menstrual and non-menstrual tissue fragments share many similarities, but also exhibit distinct differences in growth and vascularization, particularly under exogenous estrogen stimulation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Mouse models are increasingly used in endometriosis research. For this purpose, menstrual or non-menstrual endometrial fragments serve for the induction of endometriotic lesions. So far, these two fragment types have never been directly compared under identical experimental conditions. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a prospective experimental study in a murine peritoneal and dorsal skinfold chamber model of endometriosis. Endometrial tissue fragments from menstruated (n = 15) and non-menstruated (n = 21) C57BL/6 mice were simultaneously transplanted into the peritoneal cavity or dorsal skinfold chamber of non-ovariectomized (non-ovx, n = 17), ovariectomized (ovx, n = 17) and ovariectomized, estrogen-substituted (ovx+E2, n = 17) recipient animals and analyzed throughout an observation period of 28 and 14 days, respectively. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The engraftment, growth and vascularization of the newly developing endometriotic lesions were analyzed by means of high-resolution ultrasound imaging, intravital fluorescence microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Menstrual and non-menstrual tissue fragments developed into peritoneal endometriotic lesions without differences in growth, microvessel density and cell proliferation in non-ovx mice. Lesion formation out of both fragment types was markedly suppressed in ovx mice. In case of non-menstrual tissue fragments, this effect could be reversed by estrogen supplementation. In contrast, endometriotic lesions originating from menstrual tissue fragments exhibited a significantly smaller volume in ovx+E2 mice, which may be due to a reduced hormone sensitivity. Moreover, menstrual tissue fragments showed a delayed vascularization and a reduced blood perfusion after transplantation into dorsal skinfold chambers when compared to non-menstrual tissue fragments, indicating different vascularization modes of the two fragment types. To limit the role of chance, the experiments were conducted under standardized laboratory conditions. Statistical significance was accepted for a value of P < 0.05. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Endometriotic lesions were induced by syngeneic tissue transplantation into recipient mice without the use of pathological endometriotic tissue of human nature. Therefore, the results obtained in this study may not fully relate to human patients with endometriosis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The present study significantly contributes to the characterization of common murine endometriosis models. These models represent important tools for studies focusing on the basic mechanisms of endometriosis and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this frequent gynecological disease. The presented findings indicate that the combination of different experimental models and approaches may be the most appropriate strategy to study the pathophysiology and drug sensitivity of a complex disease such as endometriosis under preclinical conditions. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) There was no specific funding of this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nenicu
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - K Yordanova
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Y Gu
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - M D Menger
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - M W Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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5
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Rudzitis-Auth J, Christoffel A, Menger MD, Laschke MW. Targeting sphingosine kinase-1 with the low MW inhibitor SKI-5C suppresses the development of endometriotic lesions in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:4104-4118. [PMID: 34185874 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Limited evidence suggests that the sphingosine-1-phosphate/sphingosine kinase 1 (S1P/SPHK1) signalling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Therefore, we analyzed in this study whether the inhibition of SPHK1 and, consequently, decreased levels of S1P affected the vascularization and growth of endometriotic lesions. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Endometriotic lesions were surgically induced in the peritoneal cavity and the dorsal skinfold chamber of female BALB/c mice. The animals received a daily dose of the SPHK1 inhibitor SKI-5C or vehicle (control). Analyses involved the determination of lesion growth, cyst formation, microvessel density and cell proliferation within peritoneal endometriotic lesions by means of high-resolution ultrasound imaging, caliper measurement, histology and immunohistochemistry. In the dorsal skinfold chamber model the development of newly formed microvascular networks and their microhemodynamic parameters within endometriotic lesions were investigated by means of intravital fluorescence microscopy. KEY RESULTS SKI-5C significantly inhibited the development and vascularization of peritoneal endometriotic lesions, as indicated by a reduced growth and cyst formation, a lower microvessel density and a suppressed cell proliferation, when compared to vehicle-treated controls. Endometriotic lesions in dorsal skinfold chambers of SKI-5C-treated animals exhibited a significantly smaller lesion size, lower functional microvessel density, smaller microvessel diameters and a reduced blood perfusion of the newly developing microvascular networks. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS SPHK1/S1P signalling promotes the establishment and progression of endometriotic lesions. The inhibition of this pathway suppresses the development of endometriotic lesions, suggesting SPHK1 as a potential novel target for future endometriosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anika Christoffel
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Michael D Menger
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Matthias W Laschke
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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6
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Neuber C, Tröster A, Löser R, Belter B, Schwalbe H, Pietzsch J. The Pyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine-Based Kinase Inhibitor NVP-BHG712: Effects of Regioisomers on Tumor Growth, Perfusion, and Hypoxia in EphB4-Positive A375 Melanoma Xenografts. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215115. [PMID: 33153234 PMCID: PMC7662635 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous study, EphB4 was demonstrated to be a positive regulator of A375-melanoma growth but a negative regulator of tumor vascularization and perfusion. To distinguish between EphB4 forward and ephrinB2 reverse signaling, we used the commercially available EphB4 kinase inhibitor NVP-BHG712 (NVP), which was later identified as its regioisomer NVPiso. Since there have been reported significant differences between the inhibition profiles of NVP and NVPiso, we compared the influence of NVP and NVPiso on tumor characteristics under the same experimental conditions. Despite the different inhibitory profiles of NVP and NVPiso, the comparative study conducted here showed the same EphB4-induced effects in vivo as in the previous investigation. This confirmed the conclusion that EphB4-ephrinB2 reverse signaling is responsible for increased tumor growth as well as decreased tumor vascularization and perfusion. These results are further substantiated by microarrays showing differences between mock-transfected and EphB4-transfected (A375-EphB4) cells with respect to at least 9 angiogenesis-related proteins. Decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiotensin 1 (Ang-1), and protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), together with the increased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-β2), is consistent with the impaired vascularization of A375-EphB4 xenografts. Functional overexpression of EphB4 in A375-EphB4 cells was confirmed by activation of a variety of signaling pathways, including the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), rat sarcoma virus/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma/mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (Ras/Raf/MEK), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NFkB) pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Neuber
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (C.N.); (R.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Alix Tröster
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt a. M., Max-von-Laue-Strasse 7, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.T.); (H.S.)
| | - Reik Löser
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (C.N.); (R.L.); (B.B.)
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Birgit Belter
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (C.N.); (R.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt a. M., Max-von-Laue-Strasse 7, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.T.); (H.S.)
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (C.N.); (R.L.); (B.B.)
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-351-260-2622
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7
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Ukrainets RV, Korneva YS. [The influence of endometrioid heterotopias on the red blood parameters.]. Klin Lab Diagn 2020; 65:424-427. [PMID: 32762180 DOI: 10.18821/0869-2084-2020-65-7-424-427] [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: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Endometrioid heterotopia can have an adverse systemic effect on the organism through erythropoietin synthesis, which can affect erythropoiesis and reflect in blood analysis. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of endometrioid heterotopia on parameters of red blood. The investigated group included patients with endometrioid heterotopias of various localisations (115 cases), functional ovarian cysts made up the control group (28 cases). Retrospectively, the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, and the level of (CA-125) were recorded in the medical histories. The parameters were taken into account both before and after radical surgery. The highest values of the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin are observed in endometrioid ovarian cysts, followed by adenomyosis, endometriosis of the pelvic peritoneum and skin scar, respectively. After surgery, these differences have disappeared. Comparison of the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin before and after surgery revealed significant changes for both parameters in the group of patients with endometriosis, while in the control group the number of red blood cells and the level of hemoglobin did not change significantly. The number of cases with endometrioid ovarian cysts, where the red blood cell count was higher than normal, significantly differed from the control group; on the contrary, with non-endometrioid ovarian cysts, a significantly more frequent decreased number of red blood cells was observed. In addition, red blood counts in patients with endometriosis before surgery had a moderate negative correlation with the level of CA-125 protein.The possible systemic influence of endometrioid heterotopias on erythropoiesis in the form of its stimulation is demonstrated. In non-endometrioid ovarian cysts a significantly more frequent decrease in the number of red blood cells is observed. The reveales pecularities can be used for complex differential diagnostics of ovarian cysts at the preoperative stage due to their easy accessibility and minimally invasive nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- R V Ukrainets
- Smolensk State Medical University, 214019, Smolensk, Russia
- Smolensk Regional Institute of Pathology, 214019, Smolensk, Russia
| | - Yulia Sergeevna Korneva
- Smolensk State Medical University, 214019, Smolensk, Russia
- Smolensk Regional Institute of Pathology, 214019, Smolensk, Russia
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Rudzitis-Auth J, Fuß SA, Becker V, Menger MD, Laschke MW. Inhibition of erythropoietin-producing hepatoma receptor B4 (EphB4) signalling suppresses the vascularisation and growth of endometriotic lesions. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:3225-3239. [PMID: 32144768 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The development of endometriotic lesions is crucially dependent on the formation of new blood vessels. In the present study, we analysed whether this process is regulated by erythropoietin-producing hepatoma receptor B4 (EphB4) signalling. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We first assessed the anti-angiogenic action of the EphB4 inhibitor NVP-BHG712 in different in vitro angiogenesis assays. Then, endometriotic lesions were surgically induced in the dorsal skinfold chamber and peritoneal cavity of NVP-BHG712- or vehicle-treated BALB/c mice. This allowed to study the effect of EphB4 inhibition on their vascularisation and growth by means of intravital fluorescence microscopy, high-resolution ultrasound imaging, histology and immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS Non-cytotoxic doses of NVP-BHG712 suppressed the migration, tube formation and sprouting activity of both human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) and mouse aortic rings. Accordingly, we also detected a lower blood vessel density in NVP-BHG712-treated endometriotic lesions. This was associated with a reduced lesion growth due to a significantly lower number of proliferating stromal cells when compared to vehicle-treated controls. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Inhibition of EphB4 signalling suppresses the vascularisation and growth of endometriotic lesions. Hence, EphB4 represents a promising pharmacological target for the treatment of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophia A Fuß
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Vivien Becker
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Michael D Menger
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Matthias W Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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