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Chuang TD, Ton N, Rysling S, Khorram O. In Vivo Effects of Bay 11-7082 on Fibroid Growth and Gene Expression: A Preclinical Study. Cells 2024; 13:1091. [PMID: 38994944 PMCID: PMC11240737 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Current medical therapies for fibroids have major limitations due to their hypoestrogenic side effects. Based on our previous work showing the activation of NF-kB in fibroids, we hypothesized that inhibiting NF-kB in vivo would result in the shrinkage of tumors and reduced inflammation. Fibroid xenografts were implanted in SCID mice and treated daily with Bay 11-7082 (Bay) or vehicle for two months. Bay treatment led to a 50% reduction in tumor weight. RNAseq revealed decreased expression of genes related to cell proliferation, inflammation, extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, and growth factor expression. Validation through qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed these findings. Bay treatment reduced mRNA expression of cell cycle regulators (CCND1, E2F1, and CKS2), inflammatory markers (SPARC, TDO2, MYD88, TLR3, TLR6, IL6, TNFα, TNFRSF11A, and IL1β), ECM remodelers (COL3A1, FN1, LOX, and TGFβ3), growth factors (PRL, PDGFA, and VEGFC), progesterone receptor, and miR-29c and miR-200c. Collagen levels were reduced in Bay-treated xenografts. Western blotting and IHC showed decreased protein abundance in certain ECM components and inflammatory markers, but not cleaved caspase three. Ki67, CCND1, and E2F1 expression decreased with Bay treatment. This preclinical study suggests NF-kB inhibition as an effective fibroid treatment, suppressing genes involved in proliferation, inflammation, and ECM remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Der Chuang
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Nhu Ton
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Shawn Rysling
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Omid Khorram
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
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Yang Q, Falahati A, Khosh A, Vafaei S, Al-Hendy A. Targeting Bromodomain-Containing Protein 9 in Human Uterine Fibroid Cells. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01608-6. [PMID: 38858328 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01608-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Bromodomain (BRD)-containing proteins are evolutionarily conserved protein-protein interaction modules involved in many biological processes. BRDs selectively recognize and bind to acetylated lysine residues, particularly in histones, and thereby have a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression. BRD protein dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including tumorigenesis. Previously, we reported the critical role of BRD-containing protein 9 (BRD9) in the pathogenesis of UFs. The present study aimed to extend our previous finding and further understand the role of the BRD9 in UFs. Our studies demonstrated that targeted inhibition of BRD9 with its potent inhibitor TP-472 inhibited the pathogenesis of UF through increased apoptosis and proliferation arrest and decreased extracellular matrix deposition in UF cells. High-throughput transcriptomic analysis further and extensively demonstrated that targeted inhibition of BRD9 by TP-472 impacted the biological pathways, including cell cycle progression, inflammatory response, E2F targets, ECM deposition, and m6A reprogramming. Compared with the previous study, we identified common enriched pathways induced by two BRD9 inhibitors, I-BRD9 and TP-472. Taken together, our studies further revealed the critical role of BRD9 in UF cells. We characterized the link between BRD9 and other vital pathways, as well as the connection between epigenetic and epitranscriptome involved in UF progression. Targeted inhibition of BRD proteins might provide a non-hormonal treatment strategy for this most common benign tumor in women of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Ali Falahati
- DNA GTx LAB, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, 505262, UAE
| | - Azad Khosh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Somayeh Vafaei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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Bariani MV, Grimm SL, Coarfa C, Velez Edwards DR, Yang Q, Walker CL, Ali M, Al-Hendy A. Altered extracellular matrix-related pathways accelerate the transition from normal to prefibroid myometrium in Black women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024:S0002-9378(24)00657-4. [PMID: 38825029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black women experience a disproportionate impact of uterine fibroids compared to White women, including earlier diagnosis, higher frequency, and more severe symptoms. The etiology underlying this racial disparity remains elusive. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular differences in normal myometrium (fibroid-free uteri) and at-risk myometrium (fibroid-containing uteri) tissues in Black and White women. STUDY DESIGN We conducted whole-genome RNA-seq on normal and at-risk myometrium tissues obtained from both self-identified Black and White women (not Hispanic or Latino) to determine global gene expression profiles and to conduct enriched pathway analyses (n=3 per group). We initially assessed the differences within the same type of tissue (normal or at-risk myometrium) between races. Subsequently, we analyzed the transcriptome of normal myometrium compared to at-risk myometrium in each race and determined the differences between them. We validated our findings through real-time PCR (sample size range=5-12), western blot (sample size range=5-6), and immunohistochemistry techniques (sample size range=9-16). RESULTS The transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct profiles between Black and White women in normal and at-risk myometrium tissues. Interestingly, genes and pathways related to extracellular matrix and mechanosensing were more enriched in normal myometrium from Black than White women. Transcription factor enrichment analysis detected greater activity of the serum response transcription factor positional motif in normal myometrium from Black compared to White women. Furthermore, we observed increased expression levels of myocardin-related transcription factor-serum response factor and the serum response factor in the same comparison. In addition, we noted increased expression of both mRNA and protein levels of vinculin, a target gene of the serum response factor, in normal myometrium tissues from Black women as compared to White women. Importantly, the transcriptomic profile of normal to at-risk myometrium conversion differs between Black and White women. Specifically, we observed that extracellular matrix-related pathways are involved in the transition from normal to at-risk myometrium and that these processes are exacerbated in Black women. We found increased levels of Tenascin C, type I collagen alpha 1 chain, fibronectin, and phospho-p38 MAPK (Thr180/Tyr182, active) protein levels in at-risk over normal myometrium tissues from Black women, whereas such differences were not observed in samples from White women. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that the racial disparities in uterine fibroids may be attributed to heightened production of extracellular matrix in the myometrium in Black women, even before the tumors appear. Future research is needed to understand early life determinants of the observed racial differences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra L Grimm
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Center for Precision and Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Center for Precision and Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Digna R Velez Edwards
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Division of Quantitative Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Institute for Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Cheryl L Walker
- Center for Precision and Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
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Szucio W, Bernaczyk P, Ponikwicka-Tyszko D, Milewska G, Pawelczyk A, Wołczyński S, Rahman NA. Progesterone signaling in uterine leiomyoma biology: Implications for potential targeted therapy. Adv Med Sci 2024; 69:21-28. [PMID: 38278085 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are the most common benign smooth muscle cell steroid-dependent tumors that occur in women of reproductive age. Progesterone (P4) is a major hormone that promotes the ULs development and growth. P4 action in ULs is mediated mainly by its nuclear progesterone receptors (PGRs), although rapid non-genomic responses have also been observed. Data on the membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) regulated signaling pathways in ULs in the available literature is still very limited. One of the essential characteristics of ULs is the excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM). P4 has been shown to stimulate ECM production and collagen synthesis in ULs. Recent research demonstrated that, despite their benign nature, ULs may present with abnormal vasculature. P4 has been shown to regulate angiogenesis in ULs through the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and by controlling the secretion of permeability factors. This review summarizes the key findings regarding the role of PGRs and mPRs in ULs, especially highlighting the potential ECM and angiogenesis modulation by P4. An increased understanding of this mechanistic role of nuclear and specifically mPRs in the biology of P4-modulated ECM and angiogenesis in the growth of ULs could turn out to be fundamental for developing effective targeted therapies for ULs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Szucio
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Piotr Bernaczyk
- Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Donata Ponikwicka-Tyszko
- Department of Biology and Pathology of Human Reproduction, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland; Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Gabriela Milewska
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Adam Pawelczyk
- Department of Plastic, Endocrine and General Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sławomir Wołczyński
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; Department of Biology and Pathology of Human Reproduction, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Nafis A Rahman
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
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Yang Q, Vafaei S, Falahati A, Khosh A, Bariani MV, Omran MM, Bai T, Siblini H, Ali M, He C, Boyer TG, Al-Hendy A. Bromodomain-Containing Protein 9 Regulates Signaling Pathways and Reprograms the Epigenome in Immortalized Human Uterine Fibroid Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:905. [PMID: 38255982 PMCID: PMC10815284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing proteins (BRDs) are involved in many biological processes, most notably epigenetic regulation of transcription, and BRD dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including tumorigenesis. However, the role of BRDs in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids (UFs) is entirely unknown. The present study aimed to determine the expression pattern of BRD9 in UFs and matched myometrium and further assess the impact of a BRD9 inhibitor on UF phenotype and epigenetic/epitranscriptomic changes. Our studies demonstrated that the levels of BRD9 were significantly upregulated in UFs compared to matched myometrium, suggesting that the aberrant BRD expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of UFs. We then evaluated the potential roles of BRD9 using its specific inhibitor, I-BRD9. Targeted inhibition of BRD9 suppressed UF tumorigenesis with increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, decreased cell proliferation, and extracellular matrix deposition in UF cells. The latter is the key hallmark of UFs. Unbiased transcriptomic profiling coupled with downstream bioinformatics analysis further and extensively demonstrated that targeted inhibition of BRD9 impacted the cell cycle- and ECM-related biological pathways and reprogrammed the UF cell epigenome and epitranscriptome in UFs. Taken together, our studies support the critical role of BRD9 in UF cells and the strong interconnection between BRD9 and other pathways controlling the UF progression. Targeted inhibition of BRDs might provide a non-hormonal treatment option for this most common benign tumor in women of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Somayeh Vafaei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Ali Falahati
- DNA GTx LAB, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai 505262, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Azad Khosh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.K.); (T.G.B.)
| | - Maria Victoria Bariani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Mervat M. Omran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
- Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo 11796, Egypt
| | - Tao Bai
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Hiba Siblini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
| | - Thomas G. Boyer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.K.); (T.G.B.)
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
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Kociuba J, Łoziński T, Latra K, Korczyńska L, Skowyra A, Zarychta E, Ciebiera M. Occurrence and Risk Factors for Perioperative Treatment Discontinuation during Magnetic Resonance-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MR-HIFU) Therapy in Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids-A Retrospective Case-Control Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5999. [PMID: 37762939 PMCID: PMC10531787 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The main aim of our study involves the analysis of reasons and risk factors for perioperative treatment discontinuation in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids (UFs) who were qualified for magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) and in whom the procedure was discontinued. METHODS The presented research included 372 women who were primarily eligible for MR-HIFU, but the procedure was interrupted. The reasons and risk factors for treatment discontinuation were analyzed. A statistical comparison of two cohorts (patients in whom the treatment was discontinued and completed) was conducted based on epidemiological factors, UF characteristics and the implementation of uterotonics. RESULTS The mean discontinuation rate was 18.28% (n = 68). The main reason was the malposition of the intestines (52.94% of all cases). The thermoablation of subserosal UFs was a statistically significant risk factor of perioperative treatment discontinuation (OR 4.62, CI 95% 2.04-10.56), while the therapy of intramural UFs considerably decreased the risk (OR 0.21, CI 95% 0.08-0.51). The volume of the targeted UF was negatively correlated with the risk of discontinuation (OR 0.991, CI 95% 0.986-0.996). Augmentation with oxytocin, but not misoprostol, during the procedure significantly decreased the risk of potential discontinuation (OR 0.15, CI 95% 0.045-0.387, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Although the discontinuation rate seems to be relatively low, further prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm our results. The establishment of particular eligibility criteria for the treatment is a crucial issue in this area. Resigning from the procedure in cases at a high risk of discontinuation might increase patient safety and shorten the time to introduce the most appropriate therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Kociuba
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland; (L.K.); (A.S.); (E.Z.); (M.C.)
- Warsaw Institute of Women’s Health, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Łoziński
- Development and Research Center of Non-Invasive Therapies, Pro-Familia Hospital, 35-302 Rzeszów, Poland;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pro-Familia Hospital, 35-302 Rzeszów, Poland;
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszów University, 35-055 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Kamil Latra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pro-Familia Hospital, 35-302 Rzeszów, Poland;
| | - Lidia Korczyńska
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland; (L.K.); (A.S.); (E.Z.); (M.C.)
- Warsaw Institute of Women’s Health, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Skowyra
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland; (L.K.); (A.S.); (E.Z.); (M.C.)
- Warsaw Institute of Women’s Health, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Zarychta
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland; (L.K.); (A.S.); (E.Z.); (M.C.)
- Warsaw Institute of Women’s Health, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland; (L.K.); (A.S.); (E.Z.); (M.C.)
- Warsaw Institute of Women’s Health, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
- Development and Research Center of Non-Invasive Therapies, Pro-Familia Hospital, 35-302 Rzeszów, Poland;
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Bustin SA, Jellinger KA. Advances in Molecular Medicine: Unravelling Disease Complexity and Pioneering Precision Healthcare. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14168. [PMID: 37762471 PMCID: PMC10531697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The escalating impacts of the climate crisis, zoonotic spill-over, and antibiotic resistance have positioned molecular medicine at the forefront of pioneering translational research [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A. Bustin
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
| | - Kurt A. Jellinger
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Alberichgasse 5/13, A1150 Vienna, Austria
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Yang Q, Ali M, Treviño LS, Mas A, Al-Hendy A. Developmental reprogramming of myometrial stem cells by endocrine disruptor linking to risk of uterine fibroids. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:274. [PMID: 37650943 PMCID: PMC10471700 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04919-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The stage, when tissues and organs are growing, is very vulnerable to environmental influences, but it's not clear how exposure during this time causes changes to the epigenome and increases the risk of hormone-related illnesses like uterine fibroids (UFs). METHODS Developmental reprogramming of myometrial stem cells (MMSCs), the putative origin from which UFs originate, was investigated in vitro and in the Eker rat model by RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, RRBS, gain/loss of function analysis, and luciferase activity assays. RESULTS When exposed to the endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) diethylstilbestrol during Eker rat development, MMSCs undergo a reprogramming of their estrogen-responsive transcriptome. The reprogrammed genes in MMSCs are known as estrogen-responsive genes (ERGs) and are activated by mixed lineage leukemia protein-1 (MLL1) and DNA hypo-methylation mechanisms. Additionally, we observed a notable elevation in the expression of ERGs in MMSCs from Eker rats exposed to natural steroids after developmental exposure to EDC, thereby augmenting estrogen activity. CONCLUSION Our studies identify epigenetic mechanisms of MLL1/DNA hypo-methylation-mediated MMSC reprogramming. EDC exposure epigenetically targets MMSCs and leads to persistent changes in the expression of a subset of ERGs, imparting a hormonal imprint on the ERGs, resulting in a "hyper-estrogenic" phenotype, and increasing the hormone-dependent risk of UFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Lindsey S. Treviño
- Division of Health Equities, Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010 USA
- Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Aymara Mas
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Avda. Menéndez Pelayo 4, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637 USA
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Chuang TD, Ton N, Rysling S, Quintanilla D, Boos D, Gao J, McSwiggin H, Yan W, Khorram O. The Influence of Race/Ethnicity on the Transcriptomic Landscape of Uterine Fibroids. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13441. [PMID: 37686244 PMCID: PMC10487975 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine if the aberrant expression of select genes could form the basis for the racial disparity in fibroid characteristics. The next-generation RNA sequencing results were analyzed as fold change [leiomyomas/paired myometrium, also known as differential expression (DF)], comparing specimens from White (n = 7) and Black (n = 12) patients. The analysis indicated that 95 genes were minimally changed in tumors from White (DF ≈ 1) but were significantly altered by more than 1.5-fold (up or down) in Black patients. Twenty-one novel genes were selected for confirmation in 69 paired fibroids by qRT-PCR. Among these 21, coding of transcripts for the differential expression of FRAT2, SOX4, TNFRSF19, ACP7, GRIP1, IRS4, PLEKHG4B, PGR, COL24A1, KRT17, MMP17, SLN, CCDC177, FUT2, MYO5B, MYOG, ZNF703, CDC25A, and CDCA7 was significantly higher, while the expression of DAB2 and CAV2 was significantly lower in tumors from Black or Hispanic patients compared with tumors from White patients. Western blot analysis revealed a greater differential expression of PGR-A and total progesterone (PGR-A and PGR-B) in tumors from Black compared with tumors from White patients. Collectively, we identified a set of genes uniquely expressed in a race/ethnicity-dependent manner, which could form the underlying mechanisms for the racial disparity in fibroids and their associated symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Der Chuang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA;
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
| | - Nhu Ton
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
| | - Shawn Rysling
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
| | - Derek Quintanilla
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
| | - Drake Boos
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
| | - Jianjun Gao
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
| | - Hayden McSwiggin
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
| | - Wei Yan
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Omid Khorram
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA;
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; (N.T.); (S.R.); (D.Q.); (D.B.); (J.G.); (H.M.); (W.Y.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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