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Feng GJ, Xu Q, Zhao QG, Han BX, Yan SS, Zhu J, Pei YF. The genetic architecture of age at menarche and its causal effects on other traits. J Hum Genet 2024:10.1038/s10038-024-01287-w. [PMID: 39147824 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-024-01287-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Age at menarche (AAM) is a sign of puberty of females. It is a heritable trait associated with various adult diseases. However, the genetic mechanism that determines AAM and links it to disease risk is poorly understood. Aiming to uncover the genetic basis for AAM, we conducted a joint association study in up to 438,089 women from 3 genome-wide association studies of European and East Asian ancestries. A series of bioinformatical analyses and causal inference were then followed to explore in-depth annotations at the associated loci and infer the causal relationship between AAM and other complex traits/diseases. This largest meta-analysis identified a total of 21 novel AAM associated loci at the genome wide significance level (P < 5.0 × 10-8), 4 of which were European ancestry-specific loci. Functional annotations prioritized 33 candidate genes at newly identified loci. Significant genetic correlations were observed between AAM and 67 complex traits. Further causal inference demonstrated the effects of AAM on 13 traits, including forced vital capacity (FVC), high blood pressure, age at first live birth, etc, indicating that earlier AAM causes lower FVC, worse lung function, hypertension and earlier age at first (last) live birth. Enrichment analysis identified 5 enriched tissues, including the hypothalamus middle, hypothalamo hypophyseal system, neurosecretory systems, hypothalamus and retina. Our findings may provide useful insights that elucidate the mechanisms determining AAM and the genetic interplay between AAM and some traits of women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Juan Feng
- The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Jiangsu, PR China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Qi-Gang Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Bai-Xue Han
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Shan-Shan Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Suzhou Ninth Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, 2666 Lu‑dang Rd., Wujiang District, Suzhou, 215200, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yu-Fang Pei
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.
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2
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Advani J, Mehta PA, Hamel AR, Mehrotra S, Kiel C, Strunz T, Corso-Díaz X, Kwicklis M, van Asten F, Ratnapriya R, Chew EY, Hernandez DG, Montezuma SR, Ferrington DA, Weber BHF, Segrè AV, Swaroop A. QTL mapping of human retina DNA methylation identifies 87 gene-epigenome interactions in age-related macular degeneration. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1972. [PMID: 38438351 PMCID: PMC10912779 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46063-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation provides a crucial epigenetic mark linking genetic variations to environmental influence. We have analyzed array-based DNA methylation profiles of 160 human retinas with co-measured RNA-seq and >8 million genetic variants, uncovering sites of genetic regulation in cis (37,453 methylation quantitative trait loci and 12,505 expression quantitative trait loci) and 13,747 DNA methylation loci affecting gene expression, with over one-third specific to the retina. Methylation and expression quantitative trait loci show non-random distribution and enrichment of biological processes related to synapse, mitochondria, and catabolism. Summary data-based Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses identify 87 target genes where methylation and gene-expression changes likely mediate the genotype effect on age-related macular degeneration. Integrated pathway analysis reveals epigenetic regulation of immune response and metabolism including the glutathione pathway and glycolysis. Our study thus defines key roles of genetic variations driving methylation changes, prioritizes epigenetic control of gene expression, and suggests frameworks for regulation of macular degeneration pathology by genotype-environment interaction in retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayshree Advani
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Puja A Mehta
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Andrew R Hamel
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sudeep Mehrotra
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christina Kiel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Strunz
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ximena Corso-Díaz
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Madeline Kwicklis
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Freekje van Asten
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rinki Ratnapriya
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emily Y Chew
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, Clinical Trials Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dena G Hernandez
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sandra R Montezuma
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Deborah A Ferrington
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Bernhard H F Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Human Genetics, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ayellet V Segrè
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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3
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Mortlock S, Houshdaran S, Kosti I, Rahmioglu N, Nezhat C, Vitonis AF, Andrews SV, Grosjean P, Paranjpe M, Horne AW, Jacoby A, Lager J, Opoku-Anane J, Vo KC, Manvelyan E, Sen S, Ghukasyan Z, Collins F, Santamaria X, Saunders P, Kober K, McRae AF, Terry KL, Vallvé-Juanico J, Becker C, Rogers PAW, Irwin JC, Zondervan K, Montgomery GW, Missmer S, Sirota M, Giudice L. Global endometrial DNA methylation analysis reveals insights into mQTL regulation and associated endometriosis disease risk and endometrial function. Commun Biol 2023; 6:780. [PMID: 37587191 PMCID: PMC10432557 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05070-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a leading cause of pain and infertility affecting millions of women globally. Herein, we characterize variation in DNA methylation (DNAm) and its association with menstrual cycle phase, endometriosis, and genetic variants through analysis of genotype data and methylation in endometrial samples from 984 deeply-phenotyped participants. We estimate that 15.4% of the variation in endometriosis is captured by DNAm and identify significant differences in DNAm profiles associated with stage III/IV endometriosis, endometriosis sub-phenotypes and menstrual cycle phase, including opening of the window for embryo implantation. Menstrual cycle phase was a major source of DNAm variation suggesting cellular and hormonally-driven changes across the cycle can regulate genes and pathways responsible for endometrial physiology and function. DNAm quantitative trait locus (mQTL) analysis identified 118,185 independent cis-mQTLs including 51 associated with risk of endometriosis, highlighting candidate genes contributing to disease risk. Our work provides functional evidence for epigenetic targets contributing to endometriosis risk and pathogenesis. Data generated serve as a valuable resource for understanding tissue-specific effects of methylation on endometrial biology in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Mortlock
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Sahar Houshdaran
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Idit Kosti
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nilufer Rahmioglu
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Camran Nezhat
- Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Camran Nezhat Institute, Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Woodside, CA, USA
| | - Allison F Vitonis
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shan V Andrews
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Parker Grosjean
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Manish Paranjpe
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew W Horne
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alison Jacoby
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeannette Lager
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Opoku-Anane
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kim Chi Vo
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Evelina Manvelyan
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sushmita Sen
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zhanna Ghukasyan
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Frances Collins
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Xavier Santamaria
- Carlos Simon Foundation, Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Group of Biomedical Research in Gynecology, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Philippa Saunders
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kord Kober
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Allan F McRae
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Kathryn L Terry
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Júlia Vallvé-Juanico
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Group of Biomedical Research in Gynecology, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christian Becker
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter A W Rogers
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Juan C Irwin
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Krina Zondervan
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Grant W Montgomery
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Stacey Missmer
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Marina Sirota
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Linda Giudice
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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4
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Advani J, Corso-Diaz X, Kwicklis M, van Asten F, Ratnapriya R, Mehta P, Hamel A, Mahrotra S, Segrè A, Kiel C, Strunz T, Weber B, Chew E, Hernandez D, Montezuma S, Ferrington D, Swaroop A. QTL mapping of human retina DNA methylation identifies 87 gene-epigenome interactions in age-related macular degeneration. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3011096. [PMID: 37398472 PMCID: PMC10312909 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3011096/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) provides a crucial epigenetic mark linking genetic variations to environmental influence. We analyzed array-based DNAm profiles of 160 human retinas with co-measured RNA-seq and > 8 million genetic variants, uncovering sites of genetic regulation in cis (37,453 mQTLs and 12,505 eQTLs) and 13,747 eQTMs (DNAm loci affecting gene expression), with over one-third specific to the retina. mQTLs and eQTMs show non-random distribution and enrichment of biological processes related to synapse, mitochondria, and catabolism. Summary data-based Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses identify 87 target genes where methylation and gene-expression changes likely mediate the genotype effect on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Integrated pathway analysis reveals epigenetic regulation of immune response and metabolism including the glutathione pathway and glycolysis. Our study thus defines key roles of genetic variations driving methylation changes, prioritizes epigenetic control of gene expression, and suggests frameworks for regulation of AMD pathology by genotype-environment interaction in retina.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Puja Mehta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Hamel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emily Chew
- National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health
| | | | | | | | - Anand Swaroop
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
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5
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Cousins FL, McKinnon BD, Mortlock S, Fitzgerald HC, Zhang C, Montgomery GW, Gargett CE. New concepts on the etiology of endometriosis. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2023; 49:1090-1105. [PMID: 36746607 PMCID: PMC10946875 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a serious, chronic disorder where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, causing severe pelvic pain and infertility. It affects 11% of women. Endometriosis is a multifactorial disorder of unclear etiology, although retrograde menstruation plays a major role. It has a genetic component with over 40 genetic risk factors mapped, although their mechanism of action is still emerging. New evidence suggests a role for retrograde menstruation of endometrial stem/progenitor cells, now that identifying markers of these cells are available. Recent lineage tracing and tissue clearing microscopy and 3D reconstruction has provided new understanding of endometrial glandular structure, particularly the horizontal orientation and interconnection of basalis glands. New sequencing technologies, particularly whole genome DNA sequencing are revealing somatic mutations, including in cancer driver genes, in normal and eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis, as well as ectopic endometriotic lesions. Methylome sequencing is offering insight into the regulation of genes and the role of the environmental factors. Single cell RNA sequencing reveals the transcriptome of individual endometrial cells, shedding new light on the diversity and range of cellular subpopulations of the major cell types present in the endometrium and in endometriotic lesions. New endometrial epithelial organoid cultures replicating glandular epithelium are providing tractable models for studying endometriosis. Organoids derived from menstrual fluid offer a non-invasive source of endometrial tissue and a new avenue for testing drugs and developing personalized medicine for treating endometriosis. These new approaches are rapidly advancing our understanding of endometriosis etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona L. Cousins
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Brett D. McKinnon
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Sally Mortlock
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Harriet C. Fitzgerald
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Chenyu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Grant W. Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Caroline E. Gargett
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
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6
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Žukauskaitė D, Vitkevičienė A, Žlibinaitė A, Baušytė R, Ramašauskaitė D, Navakauskienė R. Histone H4 hyperacetylation but not DNA methylation regulates the expression of decidualization-associated genes during induced human endometrial stromal cells decidualization. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 156:106362. [PMID: 36621666 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2023.106362] [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: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency of endometrial stromal cells (ESC) decidualization is a critical player in successful embryo implantation and further pregnancy development. Epigenetic mechanisms strictly regulate massive changes that affect endometrium in each cycle, so investigating epigenetic patterns could help identify endometrial targets for infertility treatment solutions. The aim of our study was to analyze the changes in epigenetic modulators, histone modifications, and DNA methylation during induced human ESC in vitro decidualization. Decidualization markers and epigenetic factors' gene and protein expression levels were assessed during ESC cells in vitro decidualization, performing RT-qPCR and immunoblot tests. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) analysis by the following qPCR were conducted to evaluate the level of H4hyperAc and 5-methylcytosine in the decidualization-associated gene promoter and exon regions accordingly. Our results revealed that ESC decidualization caused the down-regulation of HDAC2 and subunits of PRC2. We observed the increased global level of H4hyperAc and H3K27me3. We also demonstrated that H4hyperAc was specifically enriched in the decidualization-associated genes (WNT4, HAND2, STAT5A) promoter regions during ESC decidualization. In contrast, the DNA methylation level in these promoter regions was relatively low before ESC induction and did not vary through ESC decidualization. Our findings demonstrate that specific gene promoters' histone acetylation increases during the induced ESC decidualization, which indicates the importance of epigenetic regulation in endometrial decidualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deimantė Žukauskaitė
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Aida Vitkevičienė
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Akvilė Žlibinaitė
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Raminta Baušytė
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania; Centre of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Santariškių St, LT-08661 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Diana Ramašauskaitė
- Centre of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Santariškių St, LT-08661 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rūta Navakauskienė
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
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7
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Rahmioglu N, Mortlock S, Ghiasi M, Møller PL, Stefansdottir L, Galarneau G, Turman C, Danning R, Law MH, Sapkota Y, Christofidou P, Skarp S, Giri A, Banasik K, Krassowski M, Lepamets M, Marciniak B, Nõukas M, Perro D, Sliz E, Sobalska-Kwapis M, Thorleifsson G, Topbas-Selcuki NF, Vitonis A, Westergaard D, Arnadottir R, Burgdorf KS, Campbell A, Cheuk CSK, Clementi C, Cook J, De Vivo I, DiVasta A, Dorien O, Donoghue JF, Edwards T, Fontanillas P, Fung JN, Geirsson RT, Girling JE, Harkki P, Harris HR, Healey M, Heikinheimo O, Holdsworth-Carson S, Hostettler IC, Houlden H, Houshdaran S, Irwin JC, Jarvelin MR, Kamatani Y, Kennedy SH, Kepka E, Kettunen J, Kubo M, Kulig B, Kurra V, Laivuori H, Laufer MR, Lindgren CM, MacGregor S, Mangino M, Martin NG, Matalliotaki C, Matalliotakis M, Murray AD, Ndungu A, Nezhat C, Olsen CM, Opoku-Anane J, Padmanabhan S, Paranjpe M, Peters M, Polak G, Porteous DJ, Rabban J, Rexrode KM, Romanowicz H, Saare M, Saavalainen L, Schork AJ, Sen S, Shafrir AL, Siewierska-Górska A, Słomka M, Smith BH, Smolarz B, Szaflik T, Szyłło K, Takahashi A, Terry KL, Tomassetti C, Treloar SA, Vanhie A, Vincent K, Vo KC, Werring DJ, Zeggini E, Zervou MI, Adachi S, Buring JE, Ridker PM, D’Hooghe T, Goulielmos GN, Hapangama DK, Hayward C, Horne AW, Low SK, Martikainen H, Chasman DI, Rogers PAW, Saunders PT, Sirota M, Spector T, Strapagiel D, Tung JY, Whiteman DC, Giudice LC, Velez-Edwards DR, Uimari O, Kraft P, Salumets A, Nyholt DR, Mägi R, Stefansson K, Becker CM, Yurttas-Beim P, Steinthorsdottir V, Nyegaard M, Missmer SA, Montgomery GW, Morris AP, Zondervan KT. The genetic basis of endometriosis and comorbidity with other pain and inflammatory conditions. Nat Genet 2023; 55:423-436. [PMID: 36914876 PMCID: PMC10042257 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common condition associated with debilitating pelvic pain and infertility. A genome-wide association study meta-analysis, including 60,674 cases and 701,926 controls of European and East Asian descent, identified 42 genome-wide significant loci comprising 49 distinct association signals. Effect sizes were largest for stage 3/4 disease, driven by ovarian endometriosis. Identified signals explained up to 5.01% of disease variance and regulated expression or methylation of genes in endometrium and blood, many of which were associated with pain perception/maintenance (SRP14/BMF, GDAP1, MLLT10, BSN and NGF). We observed significant genetic correlations between endometriosis and 11 pain conditions, including migraine, back and multisite chronic pain (MCP), as well as inflammatory conditions, including asthma and osteoarthritis. Multitrait genetic analyses identified substantial sharing of variants associated with endometriosis and MCP/migraine. Targeted investigations of genetically regulated mechanisms shared between endometriosis and other pain conditions are needed to aid the development of new treatments and facilitate early symptomatic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilufer Rahmioglu
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sally Mortlock
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marzieh Ghiasi
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Peter L Møller
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Constance Turman
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Danning
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
| | - Matthew H Law
- Statistical Genetics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, and Institute of health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yadav Sapkota
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Paraskevi Christofidou
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, St. Thomas’ Hospital, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Sini Skarp
- Northern Finland Birth Cohorts, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ayush Giri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Karina Banasik
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michal Krassowski
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maarja Lepamets
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Błażej Marciniak
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Margit Nõukas
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Danielle Perro
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eeva Sliz
- Computational Medicine and Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marta Sobalska-Kwapis
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Nura F Topbas-Selcuki
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Allison Vitonis
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Westergaard
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ragnheidur Arnadottir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Kristoffer S Burgdorf
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cecilia SK Cheuk
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - James Cook
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Immaculata De Vivo
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy DiVasta
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - O Dorien
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KULeuven (University of Leuven), Department of Development and Regeneration, Organ systems, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jacqueline F Donoghue
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Todd Edwards
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Jenny N Fung
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Reynir T Geirsson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Jane E Girling
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Paivi Harkki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Holly R Harris
- Program in Epidemiology, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Martin Healey
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Oskari Heikinheimo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sarah Holdsworth-Carson
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Isabel C Hostettler
- Stroke Research Centre, University College London, Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Neurogenetics Laboratory, The National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Henry Houlden
- Neurogenetics Laboratory, The National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Sahar Houshdaran
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Juan C Irwin
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Computational Medicine and Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Unit of Primary Health Care, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | | | - Stephen H Kennedy
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ewa Kepka
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Johannes Kettunen
- Computational Medicine and Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michiaki Kubo
- Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, RIKEN, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Bartosz Kulig
- Department of Operative Gynecology and Oncological Gynecology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Łódź, Poland
| | - Venla Kurra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Hannele Laivuori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
- Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marc R Laufer
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gynecology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cecilia M Lindgren
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Big Data Institute at the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stuart MacGregor
- Statistical Genetics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Massimo Mangino
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, St. Thomas’ Hospital, Kings College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Charoula Matalliotaki
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michail Matalliotakis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alison D Murray
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Anne Ndungu
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Camran Nezhat
- Center For Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Camran Nezhat Institute, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Catherine M Olsen
- Department of Population Health, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jessica Opoku-Anane
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sandosh Padmanabhan
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Manish Paranjpe
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Maire Peters
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Grzegorz Polak
- 1st Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
| | - David J Porteous
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joseph Rabban
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kathyrn M Rexrode
- Division of Women’s Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hanna Romanowicz
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Łódź, Poland
| | - Merli Saare
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Liisu Saavalainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andrew J Schork
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Sct. Hans, Mental Health Services, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Neurogenomics Division, The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Sushmita Sen
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amy L Shafrir
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna Siewierska-Górska
- Computational Medicine and Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marcin Słomka
- Computational Medicine and Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Blair H Smith
- Division of Population Health and Genomics, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Beata Smolarz
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Łódź, Poland
| | - Tomasz Szaflik
- Department of Operative Gynecology and Oncological Gynecology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Łódź, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szyłło
- Department of Operative Gynecology and Oncological Gynecology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Łódź, Poland
| | - Atsushi Takahashi
- Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, RIKEN, Yokohama, Japan
- Research Institute, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kathryn L Terry
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carla Tomassetti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KULeuven (University of Leuven), Department of Development and Regeneration, Organ systems, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan A Treloar
- Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Arne Vanhie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KULeuven (University of Leuven), Department of Development and Regeneration, Organ systems, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katy Vincent
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kim C Vo
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David J Werring
- Stroke Research Centre, University College London, Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Eleftheria Zeggini
- Institute of Translational Genomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria I Zervou
- Section of Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | - Sosuke Adachi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Julie E Buring
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul M Ridker
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas D’Hooghe
- KULeuven (University of Leuven), Department of Development and Regeneration, Organ systems, Leuven, Belgium
- Global Medical Affairs Fertility, Research and Development, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - George N Goulielmos
- Section of Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dharani K Hapangama
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Caroline Hayward
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew W Horne
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siew-Kee Low
- Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hannu Martikainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Daniel I Chasman
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter AW Rogers
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Philippa T Saunders
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marina Sirota
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tim Spector
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, St. Thomas’ Hospital, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Dominik Strapagiel
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - David C Whiteman
- Department of Population Health, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Linda C Giudice
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Digna R Velez-Edwards
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Outi Uimari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Peter Kraft
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Genetic Epidemiology and Statistical Genetics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andres Salumets
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dale R Nyholt
- Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, and Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Reedik Mägi
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kari Stefansson
- deCODE genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Christian M Becker
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Mette Nyegaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Health, Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Stacey A Missmer
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Grant W Montgomery
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew P Morris
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Krina T Zondervan
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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8
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Deryabin PI, Borodkina AV. Epigenetic clocks provide clues to the mystery of uterine ageing. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 29:259-271. [PMID: 36515535 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac042] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rising maternal ages and age-related fertility decline are a global challenge for modern reproductive medicine. Clinicians and researchers pay specific attention to ovarian ageing and hormonal insufficiency in this regard. However, uterine ageing is often left out of the picture, with the majority of reproductive clinicians being close to unanimous on the absence of age-related functional decline in the uterine tissues. Therefore, most existing techniques to treat an age-related decline in implantation rates are based primarily on hormonal supplementation and oocyte donation. Solving the issue of uterine ageing might lead to an adjustment to these methods. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE A focus on uterine ageing and the possibility of slowing it emerged with the development of the information theory of ageing, which identifies genomic instability and erosion of the epigenetic landscape as important drivers of age-related decline in the functionality of most cells and tissues. Age-related smoothing of this landscape and a decline in tissue function can be assessed by measuring the ticking of epigenetic clocks. Within this review, we explore whether the uterus experiences age-related alterations using this elegant approach. We analyse existing data on epigenetic clocks in the endometrium, highlight approaches to improve the accuracy of the clocks in this cycling tissue, speculate on the endometrial pathologies whose progression might be predicted by the altered speed of epigenetic clocks and discuss the possibilities of slowing down the ticking of these clocks. SEARCH METHODS Data for this review were identified by searches of Medline, PubMed and Google Scholar. References from relevant articles using the search terms 'ageing', 'maternal age', 'female reproduction', 'uterus', 'endometrium', 'implantation', 'decidualization', 'epigenetic clock', 'biological age', 'DNA methylation', 'fertility' and 'infertility' were selected. A total of 95 articles published in English between 1985 and 2022 were included, six of which describe the use of the epigenetic clock to evaluate uterine/endometrium ageing. OUTCOMES Application of the Horvath and DNAm PhenoAge epigenetic clocks demonstrated a poor correlation with chronological age in the endometrium. Several approaches were suggested to enhance the predictive power of epigenetic clocks for the endometrium. The first was to increase the number of samples in the training dataset, as for the Zang clock, or to use more sophisticated clock-building algorithms, as for the AltumAge clock. The second method is to adjust the clocks according to the dynamic nature of the endometrium. Using either approach revealed a strong correlation with chronological age in the endometrium, providing solid evidence for age-related functional decline in this tissue. Furthermore, age acceleration/deceleration, as estimated by epigenetic clocks, might be a promising tool to predict or to gain insights into the origin of various endometrial pathologies, including recurrent implantation failure, cancer and endometriosis. Finally, there are several strategies to slow down or even reverse epigenetic clocks that might be applied to reduce the risk of age-related uterine impairments. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The uterine factor should be considered, along with ovarian issues, to correct for the decline in female fertility with age. Epigenetic clocks can be tested to gain a deeper understanding of various endometrial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel I Deryabin
- Mechanisms of Cellular Senescence Group, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Aleksandra V Borodkina
- Mechanisms of Cellular Senescence Group, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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9
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Bhurke AV, DasMahapatra P, Balakrishnan S, Khan SA, Mortlock S, Das V, Chellamma N, Vadakkathil SC, Srivastava A, Majumdar A, Pasi A, Sachdeva G, Montgomery GW, Gajbhiye RK. Clinical characteristics and surgical management of endometriosis-associated infertility: A multicenter prospective cohort study. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2022; 159:86-96. [PMID: 35075631 PMCID: PMC7615031 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study clinical, surgical characteristics and the relationship between endometriosis lesion types and conception rate after surgery in infertile women with endometriosis. METHODS A prospective, multicenter cohort of 204 women (age 20-35 years) with endometriosis was followed up post-surgery between November 2017 and February 2020 at three tertiary-care hospitals. RESULTS Based on the severity of endometriosis lesion type, deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) (81/204, 39.7%) was the most common lesion; followed by ovarian endometriosis (OMA) (64/204, 31.4%), and superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SUP) (59/204, 28.9%). Endometriosis patients had a single lesion type (94/204, 46.1%), two lesion types (77/204, 37.7%), or three lesion types (33/204, 16.2%) with significant differences between regions (P < 0.001). Around 40% (37/95) of obese women had SUP (P = 0.003) whereas 78% (14/18) of underweight women had DIE (P < 0.001). Significant differences in mean Endometriosis Fertility Index scores between endometriosis lesion types and patients with one, two, and three types of lesions were observed (P < 0.001). The majority (22/32, 68.8%) of the women conceived naturally after the surgery. Half (16/32; 50%) of the women with a single lesion type conceived after the surgery; of which most (13/16, 81.2%) had SUP, followed by OMA (2/16, 12.5%), and DIE (1/16, 6.3%). CONCLUSION Women with SUP and only one type of endometriotic lesion were more likely to conceive post-surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya V. Bhurke
- Clinical Research Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), Mumbai, India
| | | | - Sheila Balakrishnan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Shagufta A. Khan
- Clinical Research Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), Mumbai, India
| | - Sally Mortlock
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vinita Das
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, India
| | - Nirmala Chellamma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Sowmini Cheruvara Vadakkathil
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Aarti Srivastava
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, India
| | - Amiya Majumdar
- Spectrum Clinic & Endoscopy Research Institute, Kolkata, India
| | | | | | - Grant W. Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rahul K. Gajbhiye
- Clinical Research Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), Mumbai, India
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10
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Schubert M, Pérez Lanuza L, Wöste M, Dugas M, Carmona FD, Palomino-Morales RJ, Rassam Y, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Tüttelmann F, Kliesch S, Gromoll J. A GWAS in Idiopathic/Unexplained Infertile Men Detects a Genomic Region Determining Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Levels. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:2350-2361. [PMID: 35305013 PMCID: PMC9282256 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Approximately 70% of infertile men are diagnosed with idiopathic (abnormal semen parameters) or unexplained (normozoospermia) infertility, with the common feature of lacking etiologic factors. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is essential for initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis. Certain single-nucleotide variations (SNVs; formerly single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) (ie, FSHB c.-211G > T, FSHR c.2039A > G) are associated with FSH, testicular volume, and spermatogenesis. It is unknown to what extent other variants are associated with FSH levels and therewith resemble causative factors for infertility. OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify further genetic determinants modulating FSH levels in a cohort of men presenting with idiopathic or unexplained infertility. METHODS We retrospectively (2010-2018) selected 1900 men with idiopathic/unexplained infertility. In the discovery study (n = 760), a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed (Infinium PsychArrays) in association with FSH values (Illumina GenomeStudio, v2.0). Minor allele frequencies (MAFs) were analyzed for the discovery and an independent normozoospermic cohort. In the validation study (n = 1140), TaqMan SNV polymerase chain reaction was conducted for rs11031005 and rs10835638 in association with andrological parameters. RESULTS Imputation revealed 9 SNVs in high linkage disequilibrium, with genome-wide significance (P < 4.28e-07) at the FSHB locus 11p.14.1 being associated with FSH. The 9 SNVs accounted for up to a 4.65% variance in FSH level. In the oligozoospermic subgroup, this was increased up to 6.95% and the MAF was enhanced compared to an independent cohort of normozoospermic men. By validation, a significant association for rs11031005/rs10835638 with FSH (P = 4.71e-06/5.55e-07) and FSH/luteinizing hormone ratio (P = 2.08e-12/6.4e-12) was evident. CONCLUSIONS This GWAS delineates the polymorphic FSHB genomic region as the main determinant of FSH levels in men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility. Given the essential role of FSH, molecular detection of one of the identified SNVs that causes lowered FSH and therewith decreases spermatogenesis could resolve the idiopathic/unexplained origin by this etiologic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marius Wöste
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia 48149, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia 48149, Germany
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - F David Carmona
- Department of Genetics and Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Andalusia 18016, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Andalusia 18012, Spain
| | - Rogelio J Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Andalusia 18012, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Andalusia 18071, Spain
| | - Yousif Rassam
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia 48149, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital, Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia 53127, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia 48149, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia 48149, Germany
| | - Jörg Gromoll
- Correspondence: Jörg Gromoll, Dr. rer. nat., Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Geb. D11, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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11
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Mortlock S, Corona RI, Kho PF, Pharoah P, Seo JH, Freedman ML, Gayther SA, Siedhoff MT, Rogers PAW, Leuchter R, Walsh CS, Cass I, Karlan BY, Rimel BJ, Montgomery GW, Lawrenson K, Kar SP. A multi-level investigation of the genetic relationship between endometriosis and ovarian cancer histotypes. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100542. [PMID: 35492879 PMCID: PMC9040176 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is associated with increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs). Using data from large endometriosis and EOC genome-wide association meta-analyses, we estimate the genetic correlation and evaluate the causal relationship between genetic liability to endometriosis and EOC histotypes, and identify shared susceptibility loci. We estimate a significant genetic correlation (rg) between endometriosis and clear cell (rg = 0.71), endometrioid (rg = 0.48), and high-grade serous (rg = 0.19) ovarian cancer, associations supported by Mendelian randomization analyses. Bivariate meta-analysis identified 28 loci associated with both endometriosis and EOC, including 19 with evidence for a shared underlying association signal. Differences in the shared risk suggest different underlying pathways may contribute to the relationship between endometriosis and the different histotypes. Functional annotation using transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles of relevant tissues/cells highlights several target genes. This comprehensive analysis reveals profound genetic overlap between endometriosis and EOC histotypes with valuable genomic targets for understanding the biological mechanisms linking the diseases. Endometriosis is genetically correlated with CCOC, ENOC, and HGSOC Genetic liability to endometriosis confers risk of these EOC histotypes Profound colocalization of genetic associations at endometriosis and EOC risk loci Functional annotation highlights shared target genes elucidating the genetic link
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Mortlock
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rosario I Corona
- Women's Cancer Research Program at Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pik Fang Kho
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul Pharoah
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, CB1 8RN Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, CB1 8RN Cambridge, UK
| | - Ji-Heui Seo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew L Freedman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Simon A Gayther
- Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew T Siedhoff
- Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peter A W Rogers
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ronald Leuchter
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christine S Walsh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ilana Cass
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Beth Y Karlan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - B J Rimel
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Grant W Montgomery
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kate Lawrenson
- Women's Cancer Research Program at Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Siddhartha P Kar
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN Bristol, UK
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12
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Chen CW, Huang RL, Do AQ, Wang HC, Lee YX, Wang CW, Hsieh CC, Tzeng CR, Hu YM, Chen CH, Weng YC, Su PH, Chen LY, Lai HC. Genome-wide analysis of cervical secretions obtained during embryo transfer reveals the association between deoxyribonucleic acid methylation and pregnancy outcomes. F&S SCIENCE 2022; 3:74-83. [PMID: 35559997 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study whether the methylation status of cervical secretions can reflect the ability of the endometrium to allow embryo implantation. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING In vitro fertilization centers. PATIENT(S) Women undergoing embryo transfer cycles, in which at least 1 good-quality embryo was transferred. INTERVENTION(S) Collection of cervical secretions during the procedure of embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Methylation profiles of cervical secretions in relation to pregnancy outcomes. RESULT(S) Genome-wide methylation profiles differ between cervical secretions from pregnancy and nonpregnancy cycles. Clustering analysis on the basis of the top 2,000 differentially methylated probes of cervical secretions from 28 pregnancy and 29 nonpregnancy cycles correctly categorized 86.0% of the samples in terms of conceptional status, which was verified in selected genes by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and validated in another independent sample set. The combination of selected genes was estimated to predict pregnancy outcomes with a maximal area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83. CONCLUSION(S) The methylation profiles of cervical secretions were associated with pregnancy outcomes in embryo transfer cycles. Although not clinically useful at present, deoxyribonucleic acid methylation in cervical secretions may shed new light on the less invasive assessment of endometrial receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rui-Lan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan; Translational Epigenetic Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Anh Q Do
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong, Vietnam; International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chen Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Xuan Lee
- Translational Epigenetic Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Taipei Fertility Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | - Chi-Huang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Weng
- Translational Epigenetic Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsuan Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan; Translational Epigenetic Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lin-Yu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan; Translational Epigenetic Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Cheng Lai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan; Translational Epigenetic Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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13
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Mortlock S, McKinnon B, Montgomery GW. Genetic Regulation of Transcription in the Endometrium in Health and Disease. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 3:795464. [PMID: 36304015 PMCID: PMC9580733 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.795464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is a complex and dynamic tissue essential for fertility and implicated in many reproductive disorders. The tissue consists of glandular epithelium and vascularised stroma and is unique because it is constantly shed and regrown with each menstrual cycle, generating up to 10 mm of new mucosa. Consequently, there are marked changes in cell composition and gene expression across the menstrual cycle. Recent evidence shows expression of many genes is influenced by genetic variation between individuals. We and others have reported evidence for genetic effects on hundreds of genes in endometrium. The genetic factors influencing endometrial gene expression are highly correlated with the genetic effects on expression in other reproductive (e.g., in uterus and ovary) and digestive tissues (e.g., salivary gland and stomach), supporting a shared genetic regulation of gene expression in biologically similar tissues. There is also increasing evidence for cell specific genetic effects for some genes. Sample size for studies in endometrium are modest and results from the larger studies of gene expression in blood report genetic effects for a much higher proportion of genes than currently reported for endometrium. There is also emerging evidence for the importance of genetic variation on RNA splicing. Gene mapping studies for common disease, including diseases associated with endometrium, show most variation maps to intergenic regulatory regions. It is likely that genetic risk factors for disease function through modifying the program of cell specific gene expression. The emerging evidence from our gene mapping studies coupled with tissue specific studies, and the GTEx, eQTLGen and EpiMap projects, show we need to expand our understanding of the complex regulation of gene expression. These data also help to link disease genetic risk factors to specific target genes. Combining our data on genetic regulation of gene expression in endometrium, and cell types within the endometrium with gene mapping data for endometriosis and related diseases is beginning to uncover the specific genes and pathways responsible for increased risk of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Grant W. Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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14
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Retis-Resendiz AM, González-García IN, León-Juárez M, Camacho-Arroyo I, Cerbón M, Vázquez-Martínez ER. The role of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of gene expression in the cyclical endometrium. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:116. [PMID: 34034824 PMCID: PMC8146649 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01103-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue whose function is mainly regulated by the ovarian steroid hormones estradiol and progesterone. The serum levels of these and other hormones are associated with three specific phases that compose the endometrial cycle: menstrual, proliferative, and secretory. Throughout this cycle, the endometrium exhibits different transcriptional networks according to the genes expressed in each phase. Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial in the fine-tuning of gene expression to generate such transcriptional networks. The present review aims to provide an overview of current research focused on the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression in the cyclical endometrium and discuss the technical and clinical perspectives regarding this topic. MAIN BODY The main epigenetic mechanisms reported are DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and non-coding RNAs. These epigenetic mechanisms induce the expression of genes associated with transcriptional regulation, endometrial epithelial growth, angiogenesis, and stromal cell proliferation during the proliferative phase. During the secretory phase, epigenetic mechanisms promote the expression of genes associated with hormone response, insulin signaling, decidualization, and embryo implantation. Furthermore, the global content of specific epigenetic modifications and the gene expression of non-coding RNAs and epigenetic modifiers vary according to the menstrual cycle phase. In vitro and cell type-specific studies have demonstrated that epithelial and stromal cells undergo particular epigenetic changes that modulate their transcriptional networks to accomplish their function during decidualization and implantation. CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES Epigenetic mechanisms are emerging as key players in regulating transcriptional networks associated with key processes and functions of the cyclical endometrium. Further studies using next-generation sequencing and single-cell technology are warranted to explore the role of other epigenetic mechanisms in each cell type that composes the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. The application of this knowledge will definitively provide essential information to understand the pathological mechanisms of endometrial diseases, such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer, and to identify potential therapeutic targets and improve women's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Monserrat Retis-Resendiz
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ixchel Nayeli González-García
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Moisés León-Juárez
- Departamento de Inmunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Marco Cerbón
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Edgar Ricardo Vázquez-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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15
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Adamyan L, Aznaurova Y, Stepanian A, Nikitin D, Garazha A, Suntsova M, Sorokin M, Buzdin A. Gene Expression Signature of Endometrial Samples from Women with and without Endometriosis. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2021; 28:1774-1785. [PMID: 33839309 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To develop a prototype of a complex gene expression biomarker for the diagnosis of endometriosis on the basis of differences between the molecular signatures of the endometrium from women with and without endometriosis. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. Evidence obtained from a well-designed, controlled trial without randomization. SETTING Department of reproductive medicine and surgery, A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry. PATIENTS A total of 33 women (aged 32-38 years) were included in this study. Patients with and without endometriosis were divided into 2 separate groups. The group composed of patients with endometriosis included 19 living patients with endometriosis who underwent laparoscopic excision of endometriosis. The control group included 6 living patients who underwent laparoscopic excision of incompetent uterine scar after cesarean section, with both surgically and histologically confirmed absence of endometriosis and adenomyosis. An additional control/verification group included various previously RNA-sequencing-profiled tissue samples (endocervix, ovarian surface epithelium) of 8 randomly selected healthy female cadaveric donors aged 32 to 38 years. The exclusion criteria for all patients were hormone therapy and any intrauterine device use for more than 1 year preceding surgery, as well as absence of other diseases of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. INTERVENTIONS Laparoscopic excision of endometriotic foci and hysteroscopy with endometrial sampling were performed. The cadaveric tissue samples included endocervix and ovarian surface epithelium. Endometrial sampling was obtained from the women in the control group. RNA sequencing was performed using Illumina HiSeq 3000 equipment (Illumina, Inc., San Diego, CA) for single-end sequencing. Unique bioinformatics algorithms were developed and validated using experimental and public gene expression datasets. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We generated a characteristic signature of 5 genes downregulated in the endometrium and endometriotic tissue of the patients with endometriosis, selected after comparison with the endometrium of the women without endometriosis. This gene signature showed a capacity for nearly perfect separation of all 52 analyzed tissue samples of the patients with endometriosis (endometrial as well as endometriotic samples) from the 14 tissue samples of both living and cadaveric donors without endometriosis (area under the curve = 0.982, Matthews correlation coefficient = 0.832). CONCLUSION The gene signature of the endometrium identified in this study may potentially serve as a nonsurgical diagnostic method for endometriosis detection. Our data also suggest that the statistical method of 5-fold cross-validation of differential gene expression analysis can be used to generate robust gene signatures using real-world clinical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Adamyan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (Drs. Adamyan and Aznaurova)
| | - Yana Aznaurova
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (Drs. Adamyan and Aznaurova); Endometrics Ltd. (Dr. Aznaurova), Moscow, Russia.
| | - Assia Stepanian
- Academia of Women's Health & Endoscopic Surgery, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr. Stepanian)
| | - Daniil Nikitin
- OmicsWay Corp., Walnut, California (Drs. Suntsova and Buzdin and Mr. Nikitin, Garazha, Sorokin)
| | - Andrew Garazha
- OmicsWay Corp., Walnut, California (Drs. Suntsova and Buzdin and Mr. Nikitin, Garazha, Sorokin)
| | - Maria Suntsova
- OmicsWay Corp., Walnut, California (Drs. Suntsova and Buzdin and Mr. Nikitin, Garazha, Sorokin); World-Class Research Center "Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare", Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Drs. Suntsova and Buzdin and Mr. Sorokin), Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim Sorokin
- OmicsWay Corp., Walnut, California (Drs. Suntsova and Buzdin and Mr. Nikitin, Garazha, Sorokin); Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny (Dr. Buzdin and Mr. Sorokin); World-Class Research Center "Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare", Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Drs. Suntsova and Buzdin and Mr. Sorokin), Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton Buzdin
- OmicsWay Corp., Walnut, California (Drs. Suntsova and Buzdin and Mr. Nikitin, Garazha, Sorokin); Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny (Dr. Buzdin and Mr. Sorokin); World-Class Research Center "Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare", Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Drs. Suntsova and Buzdin and Mr. Sorokin), Moscow, Russia
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16
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Joshi NR, Kohan-Ghadr HR, Roqueiro DS, Yoo JY, Fru K, Hestermann E, Yuan L, Ho SM, Jeong JW, Young SL, Lessey BA, Fazleabas AT. Genetic and epigenetic changes in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis: association with decreased endometrial αvβ3 integrin expression. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6163298. [PMID: 33693877 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
About 40% of women with infertility and 70% of women with pelvic pain suffer from endometriosis. The pregnancy rate in women undergoing IVF with low endometrial integrin αvβ3 (LEI) expression is significantly lower compared to the women with high endometrial integrin αvβ3 (HEI). Mid-secretory eutopic endometrial biopsies were obtained from healthy controls (C; n=3), and women with HEI (n=4) and LEI (n=4) and endometriosis. Changes in gene expression were assessed using human gene arrays and DNA methylation data were derived using 385 K Two-Array Promoter Arrays. Transcriptional analysis revealed that LEI and C groups clustered separately with 396 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (P<0.01: 275 up and 121 down) demonstrating that transcriptional and epigenetic changes are distinct in the LEI eutopic endometrium compared to the C and HEI group. In contrast, HEI vs C and HEI vs LEI comparisons only identified 83 and 45 DEGs, respectively. The methylation promoter array identified 1304 differentially methylated regions in the LEI vs C comparison. The overlap of gene and methylation array data identified 14 epigenetically dysregulated genes and quantitative RT-PCR analysis validated the transcriptomic findings. The analysis also revealed that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was hypomethylated and significantly overexpressed in LEI samples compared to C. Further analysis validated that AHR transcript and protein expression are significantly (P<0.05) increased in LEI women compared to C. The increase in AHR, together with the altered methylation status of the 14 additional genes, may provide a diagnostic tool to identify the subset of women who have endometriosis-associated infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj R Joshi
- Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Jung Yoon Yoo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Karenne Fru
- Coastal Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | | | - Lingwen Yuan
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shuk-Mei Ho
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jae-Wook Jeong
- Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Steven L Young
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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17
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McGrath IM, Mortlock S, Montgomery GW. Genetic Regulation of Physiological Reproductive Lifespan and Female Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2556. [PMID: 33806348 PMCID: PMC7961500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There is substantial genetic variation for common traits associated with reproductive lifespan and for common diseases influencing female fertility. Progress in high-throughput sequencing and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have transformed our understanding of common genetic risk factors for complex traits and diseases influencing reproductive lifespan and fertility. The data emerging from GWAS demonstrate the utility of genetics to explain epidemiological observations, revealing shared biological pathways linking puberty timing, fertility, reproductive ageing and health outcomes. The observations also identify unique genetic risk factors specific to different reproductive diseases impacting on female fertility. Sequencing in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) have identified mutations in a large number of genes while GWAS have revealed shared genetic risk factors for POI and ovarian ageing. Studies on age at menopause implicate DNA damage/repair genes with implications for follicle health and ageing. In addition to the discovery of individual genes and pathways, the increasingly powerful studies on common genetic risk factors help interpret the underlying relationships and direction of causation in the regulation of reproductive lifespan, fertility and related traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Grant W. Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (I.M.M.); (S.M.)
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Winship A, Donoghue J, Houston BJ, Martin JH, Lord T, Adwal A, Gonzalez M, Desroziers E, Ahmad G, Richani D, Bromfield EG. Reproductive health research in Australia and New Zealand: highlights from the Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Biology, 2019. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:637-647. [PMID: 32234188 DOI: 10.1071/rd19449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2019 meeting of the Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) provided a platform for the dissemination of new knowledge and innovations to improve reproductive health in humans, enhance animal breeding efficiency and understand the effect of the environment on reproductive processes. The effects of environment and lifestyle on fertility and animal behaviour are emerging as the most important modern issues facing reproductive health. Here, we summarise key highlights from recent work on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and diet- and lifestyle-induced metabolic changes and how these factors affect reproduction. This is particularly important to discuss in the context of potential effects on the reproductive potential that may be imparted to future generations of humans and animals. In addition to key summaries of new work in the male and female reproductive tract and on the health of the placenta, for the first time the SRB meeting included a workshop on endometriosis. This was an important opportunity for researchers, healthcare professionals and patient advocates to unite and provide critical updates on efforts to reduce the effect of this chronic disease and to improve the welfare of the women it affects. These new findings and directions are captured in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Winship
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Development Program, Monash University, Vic. 3800, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Donoghue
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia
| | - Brendan J Houston
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Vic. 3800, Australia
| | - Jacinta H Martin
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; and Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2300, Australia
| | - Alaknanda Adwal
- The University of Adelaide Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, North Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Macarena Gonzalez
- The University of Adelaide Robinson Research Institute, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Elodie Desroziers
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Gulfam Ahmad
- The University of Sydney Medical School, Discipline of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Dulama Richani
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Fertility and Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2300, Australia; and Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Netherlands; and Corresponding author:
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19
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Evans DG, Lalloo F, Ryan NA, Bowers N, Green K, Woodward ER, Clancy T, Bolton J, McVey RJ, Wallace AJ, Newton K, Hill J, McMahon R, Crosbie EJ. Advances in genetic technologies result in improved diagnosis of mismatch repair deficiency in colorectal and endometrial cancers. J Med Genet 2021; 59:328-334. [PMID: 33452216 PMCID: PMC8961751 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2020-107542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background Testing cancers for mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a quick and inexpensive means of triaging individuals for germline Lynch syndrome testing. The aim of this study was to evaluate tumour dMMR and the prevalence of Lynch syndrome in patients referred to the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, which serves a population of 5.6 million. Methods Tumour testing used IHC for MMR proteins with targeted BRAF and MLH1 promotor methylation testing followed by germline mutation and somatic testing as appropriate. Results In total, 3694 index tumours were tested by IHC (2204 colorectal cancers (CRCs), 739 endometrial cancers (ECs) and 761 other), of which 672/3694 (18.2%) had protein loss, including 348 (9.4%) with MLH1 loss. MLH1 loss was significantly higher for 739 ECs (15%) vs 2204 CRCs (10%) (p=0.0003) and was explained entirely by higher rates of somatic MLH1 promoter hypermethylation (87% vs 41%, p<0.0001). Overall, 65/134 (48.5%) patients with MLH1 loss and no MLH1 hypermethylation or BRAF c.1799T>A had constitutional MLH1 pathogenic variants. Of 456 patients with tumours showing loss of MSH2/MSH6, 216 (47.3%) had germline pathogenic variants in either gene. Isolated PMS2 loss was most suggestive of a germline MMR variant in 19/26 (73%). Of those with no germline pathogenic variant, somatic testing identified likely causal variants in 34/48 (71%) with MLH1 loss and in MSH2/MSH6 in 40/47 (85%) with MSH2/MSH6 loss. Conclusions Reflex testing of EC/CRC leads to uncertain diagnoses in many individuals with dMMR following IHC but without germline pathogenic variants or MLH1 hypermethylation. Tumour mutation testing is effective at decreasing this by identifying somatic dMMR in >75% of cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gareth Evans
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Medicine, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Clinical Genetics Service, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, North-West Genomics Laboratory Hub, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Fiona Lalloo
- Clinical Genetics Service, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, North-West Genomics Laboratory Hub, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Neil Aj Ryan
- Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Naomi Bowers
- Clinical Genetics Service, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, North-West Genomics Laboratory Hub, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Kate Green
- Clinical Genetics Service, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, North-West Genomics Laboratory Hub, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Emma R Woodward
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Medicine, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Clinical Genetics Service, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, North-West Genomics Laboratory Hub, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Tara Clancy
- Clinical Genetics Service, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, North-West Genomics Laboratory Hub, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - James Bolton
- Department of Pathology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Rhona J McVey
- Department of Pathology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew J Wallace
- Clinical Genetics Service, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, North-West Genomics Laboratory Hub, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Katy Newton
- Department of Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - James Hill
- Department of Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Raymond McMahon
- Department of Pathology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Emma J Crosbie
- Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
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20
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Filby CE, Rombauts L, Montgomery GW, Giudice LC, Gargett CE. Cellular Origins of Endometriosis: Towards Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Semin Reprod Med 2020; 38:201-215. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEndometriosis remains an enigmatic disease of unknown etiology, with delayed diagnosis and poor therapeutic options. This review will discuss the cellular, physiological, and genomic evidence of Sampson's hypothesis of retrograde menstruation as a cause of pelvic endometriosis and as the basis of phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease. We postulate that collaborative research at the single cell level focused on unlocking the cellular, physiological, and genomic mechanisms of endometriosis will be accompanied by advances in personalized diagnosis and therapies that target unique subtypes of endometriosis disease. These advances will address the clinical conundrums of endometriosis clinical care—including diagnostic delay, suboptimal treatments, disease recurrence, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and quality of life. There is an urgent need to improve outcomes for women with endometriosis. To achieve this, it is imperative that we understand which cells form the lesions, how they arrive at distant sites, and what factors govern their ability to survive and invade at ectopic locations. This review proposes new research avenues to address these basic questions of endometriosis pathobiology that will lay the foundations for new diagnostic tools and treatment pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Filby
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luk Rombauts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Reproductive Medicine at Women's Health, Monash Health, Monash IVF, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Grant W. Montgomery
- UQ Genome Innovation Hub, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Linda C. Giudice
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Caroline E. Gargett
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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21
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Jhamat N, Niazi A, Guo Y, Chanrot M, Ivanova E, Kelsey G, Bongcam-Rudloff E, Andersson G, Humblot P. LPS-treatment of bovine endometrial epithelial cells causes differential DNA methylation of genes associated with inflammation and endometrial function. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:385. [PMID: 32493210 PMCID: PMC7268755 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06777-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin stimulates pro-inflammatory pathways and is a key player in the pathological mechanisms involved in the development of endometritis. This study aimed to investigate LPS-induced DNA methylation changes in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs), which may affect endometrial function. Following in vitro culture, bEECs from three cows were either untreated (0) or exposed to 2 and 8 μg/mL LPS for 24 h. Results DNA samples extracted at 0 h and 24 h were sequenced using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). When comparing DNA methylation results at 24 h to time 0 h, a larger proportion of hypomethylated regions were identified in the LPS-treated groups, whereas the trend was opposite in controls. When comparing LPS groups to controls at 24 h, a total of 1291 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified (55% hypomethylated and 45% hypermethylated). Integration of DNA methylation data obtained here with our previously published gene expression data obtained from the same samples showed a negative correlation (r = − 0.41 for gene promoter, r = − 0.22 for gene body regions, p < 0.05). Differential methylation analysis revealed that effects of LPS treatment were associated with methylation changes for genes involved in regulation of immune and inflammatory responses, cell adhesion, and external stimuli. Gene ontology and pathway analyses showed that most of the differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were associated with cell proliferation and apoptotic processes; and pathways such as calcium-, oxytocin- and MAPK-signaling pathways with recognized roles in innate immunity. Several DMGs were related to systemic inflammation and tissue re-modelling including HDAC4, IRAK1, AKT1, MAP3K6, Wnt7A and ADAMTS17. Conclusions The present results show that LPS altered the DNA methylation patterns of bovine endometrial epithelial cells. This information, combined with our previously reported changes in gene expression related to endometrial function, confirm that LPS activates pro-inflammatory mechanisms leading to perturbed immune balance and cell adhesion processes in the endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveed Jhamat
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Section of Molecular Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden.,SLU-Global Bioinformatics Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden.,Department of Information Technology, University of the Punjab, Gujranwala Campus, Gujranwala, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Niazi
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Section of Molecular Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden. .,SLU-Global Bioinformatics Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden.
| | - Yongzhi Guo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | - Metasu Chanrot
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden.,Faculty of Veterinary Science, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 802 40, Thailand
| | - Elena Ivanova
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Erik Bongcam-Rudloff
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Section of Molecular Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden.,SLU-Global Bioinformatics Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | - Göran Andersson
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Section of Molecular Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden.,Centre for Reproductive Biology in Uppsala, CRU, P.O. Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrice Humblot
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
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22
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Mortlock S, Kendarsari RI, Fung JN, Gibson G, Yang F, Restuadi R, Girling JE, Holdsworth-Carson SJ, Teh WT, Lukowski SW, Healey M, Qi T, Rogers PAW, Yang J, McKinnon B, Montgomery GW. Tissue specific regulation of transcription in endometrium and association with disease. Hum Reprod 2020; 35:377-393. [PMID: 32103259 PMCID: PMC7048713 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are genetic effects on endometrial gene expression tissue specific and/or associated with reproductive traits and diseases? SUMMARY ANSWER Analyses of RNA-sequence data and individual genotype data from the endometrium identified novel and disease associated, genetic mechanisms regulating gene expression in the endometrium and showed evidence that these mechanisms are shared across biologically similar tissues. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The endometrium is a complex tissue vital for female reproduction and is a hypothesized source of cells initiating endometriosis. Understanding genetic regulation specific to, and shared between, tissue types can aid the identification of genes involved in complex genetic diseases. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION RNA-sequence and genotype data from 206 individuals was analysed and results were compared with large publicly available datasets. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS RNA-sequencing and genotype data from 206 endometrial samples was used to identify the influence of genetic variants on gene expression, via expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis and to compare these endometrial eQTLs with those in other tissues. To investigate the association between endometrial gene expression regulation and reproductive traits and diseases, we conducted a tissue enrichment analysis, transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and summary data-based Mendelian randomisation (SMR) analyses. Transcriptomic data was used to test differential gene expression between women with and without endometriosis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A tissue enrichment analysis with endometriosis genome-wide association study summary statistics showed that genes surrounding endometriosis risk loci were significantly enriched in reproductive tissues. A total of 444 sentinel cis-eQTLs (P < 2.57 × 10-9) and 30 trans-eQTLs (P < 4.65 × 10-13) were detected, including 327 novel cis-eQTLs in endometrium. A large proportion (85%) of endometrial eQTLs are present in other tissues. Genetic effects on endometrial gene expression were highly correlated with the genetic effects on reproductive (e.g. uterus, ovary) and digestive tissues (e.g. salivary gland, stomach), supporting a shared genetic regulation of gene expression in biologically similar tissues. The TWAS analysis indicated that gene expression at 39 loci is associated with endometriosis, including five known endometriosis risk loci. SMR analyses identified potential target genes pleiotropically or causally associated with reproductive traits and diseases including endometriosis. However, without taking account of genetic variants, a direct comparison between women with and without endometriosis showed no significant difference in endometrial gene expression. LARGE SCALE DATA The eQTL dataset generated in this study is available at http://reproductivegenomics.com.au/shiny/endo_eqtl_rna/. Additional datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article and the supplementary information files, or are available on reasonable request. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Data are derived from fresh tissue samples and expression levels are an average of expression from different cell types within the endometrium. Subtle cell-specifc expression changes may not be detected and differences in cell composition between samples and across the menstrual cycle will contribute to sample variability. Power to detect tissue specific eQTLs and differences between women with and without endometriosis was limited by the sample size in this study. The statistical approaches used in this study identify the likely gene targets for specific genetic risk factors, but not the functional mechanism by which changes in gene expression may influence disease risk. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our results identify novel genetic variants that regulate gene expression in endometrium and the majority of these are shared across tissues. This allows analysis with large publicly available datasets to identify targets for female reproductive traits and diseases. Much larger studies will be required to identify genetic regulation of gene expression that will be specific to endometrium. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) under project grants GNT1026033, GNT1049472, GNT1046880, GNT1050208, GNT1105321, GNT1083405 and GNT1107258. G.W.M is supported by a NHMRC Fellowship (GNT1078399). J.Y is supported by an ARC Fellowship (FT180100186). There are no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Mortlock
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Raden I Kendarsari
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jenny N Fung
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Greg Gibson
- School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Fei Yang
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Restuadi Restuadi
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jane E Girling
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah J Holdsworth-Carson
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Wan Tinn Teh
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Samuel W Lukowski
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Martin Healey
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ting Qi
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter A W Rogers
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jian Yang
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Brett McKinnon
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital University Hospital of Berne, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Grant W Montgomery
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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23
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Montgomery GW, Mortlock S, Giudice LC. Should Genetics Now Be Considered the Pre-eminent Etiologic Factor in Endometriosis? J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2020; 27:280-286. [PMID: 31683028 PMCID: PMC7863762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2019.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common, estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disorder characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue at extrauterine locations. Its pathogenesis and mechanisms underlying its pathophysiology are poorly understood, although genetic variation is strongly implicated in these processes. Genetic studies reveal that approximately 50% of risk for endometriosis is due to genetic factors and the other 50% likely owing to environmental factors. As with other complex diseases, genetic variants in the DNA sequence increasing endometriosis risk all have small effects, unlike most single-gene disorders. It is the combinations of these variants adding together that contribute to higher risks for individual women. In addition, recent data on disease lesions demonstrate a high frequency of somatic (likely acquired) mutations, some of which are present in the eutopic endometrium and specifically in the epithelial cell compartment, raising the possibility that abnormal epithelial progenitors in the eutopic endometrium give rise to ectopic disease. Discovery in this field is occurring at a rapid pace, and further definitions of genetic (germline) and environmental (somatic) contributions to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of this disorder are anticipated soon. These discoveries are expected to increase diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies to minimize disease and its associated morbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant W Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (Drs. Montgomery and Mortlock).
| | - Sally Mortlock
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (Drs. Montgomery and Mortlock)
| | - Linda C Giudice
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California (Dr. Giudice)
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