Invasion Of Endometrial Epithelial Cells Research Articles

Circ_0061140 Facilitates Adenomyosis Progression by Upregulating LIN28B in vitro

Objectives: The aim of our study was to explore the role of circular RNA_0061140 (circ_0061140) in adenomyosis progression and its associated mechanism. Design: We first analyzed the expression pattern of circ_0061140 in endometrial tissues of adenomyosis patients (n = 27) and uterine fibroid patients (n = 15). Loss-of-function experiments were conducted to analyze the biological roles of circ_0061140 in regulating the viability, apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion of endometrial epithelial cells. The downstream microRNA (miRNA)/messenger RNA (mRNA) axis of circ_0061140 was predicted by bioinformatics tool Starbase, and its working mechanism was verified by rescue experiments. Methods: Cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, and migration were assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine assay, transwell assay, and scratch test. The binding relationship between miR-141-3p and circ_0061140 or lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B) was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Results: Circ_0061140 expression was upregulated in adenomyosis patients. Circ_0061140 knockdown suppressed the viability, proliferation, invasion, and migration and triggered the apoptosis of endometrial epithelial cells. Circ_0061140 served as a miRNA sponge for miR-141-3p, and miR-141-3p silencing partly reversed circ_0061140 knockdown-induced effects in endometrial epithelial cells. miR-141-3p directly interacted with LIN28B mRNA. LIN28B overexpression partly diminished miR-141-3p overexpression-mediated influences in endometrial epithelial cells. Circ_0061140 knockdown downregulated LIN28B expression by elevating miR-141-3p level in endometrial epithelial cells. Limitations: The functional verification of circ_0061140/miR-141-3p/LIN28B axis was merely conducted in vitro. Conclusion: Circ_0061140 contributed to adenomyosis progression by binding to miR-141-3p to induce LIN28B expression in vitro.

MiR-223-3p alleviates TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix deposition by targeting SP3 in endometrial epithelial cells.

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is the clinical manifestation of endometrial fibrosis. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been confirmed to implicate in a diversity of human diseases, including IUA. Nevertheless, the specific function of miR-223-3p in IUA remains to be clarified. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis displayed the downregulation of miR-223-3p in IUA tissues and endometrial epithelial cells (EECs). Results from wound healing assay, Transwell assay and western blotting showed that TGF-β facilitated the migration and invasion of EECs and induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Overexpression of miR-223-3p in EECs was shown to suppress the effects induced by TGF-β. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed the binding relation between miR-223-3p and SP3. SP3 was highly expressed in IUA and its expression was inversely correlated with miR-223-3p expression in IUA tissue samples. Additionally, upregulation of SP3 reversed the influence of miR-223-3p on the phenotypes of EECs. In conclusion, miR-223-3p alleviates TGF-β-induced cell migration, invasion, EMT process and ECM deposition in EECs by targeting SP3.

Recepteur d'origine nantais contributes to the development of endometriosis via promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition of a endometrial epithelial cells.

Endometriosis is a benign, chronic inflammatory disease that commonly occurs in reproductive‐aged women. Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endometrial epithelial cells plays an important role in the development of endometriosis. Recepteur d'origine nantais (RON), a receptor tyrosine kinase, has been reported to promote EMT and progression in tumours. However, whether and how RON mediates the EMT and endometriosis development is not known. Here, we found that RON activation could improve the migratory and invasive capabilities, change cellular morphologies, and decrease expression of E‐cadherin and increase expression of N‐cadherin in endometrial epithelial cells. Inhibition or knockdown of RON expression suppressed the migration and invasion of endometrial epithelial cells. Our studies also indicated that RON played its part in endometrial epithelial cells through protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Treatment with a RON inhibitor could decrease the number of ectopic lesions in a mouse model of endometriosis and mediate expression of EMT markers in endometriotic lesions. These data suggest that RON contributed to endometriosis development by promoting EMT of endometrial epithelial cells. Therefore, RON may be a new therapeutic target for endometriosis.

Downregulation of SPOCK2 promotes the proliferation, adhesion, and invasion of endometrial epithelial cells

Purpose A previous study found that a lack of SPOCK2 expression was an early event that occurs during the malignant transformation of endometriosis (EMS); however, the role played by SPOCK2 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and its malignant transformation remains unclear. Materials and methods In this study, SPOCK2 expression in human endometrial epithelial cells (hEECs) was downregulated by transfection with shRNA, and the biological behavior of the transfected cells was observed. Results We found that downregulation of SPOCK2 promoted cell proliferation, adhesion, and invasion. Conclusions Our data suggest that downregulation of SPOCK2 might participate in the pathogenesis and progression of EMS, as well as its malignant transformation, by promoting the proliferation, adhesion, and invasion of endometrial epithelial cells.

Involvement of CXCL12/CXCR4 in the motility of human first-trimester endometrial epithelial cells through an autocrine mechanism by activating PI3K/AKT signaling

BackgroundCXCL12(chemokine ligand 12, CXCL12) and its receptors CXCR4 are widely expressed in maternal-fetal interface and plays an adjust role in materno-fetal dialogue and immune tolerance during early pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the role and mechanism of self-derived CXCL12 in modulating the functions of human first-trimester endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) and to identify the potential protein kinase signaling pathways involved in the CXCL12/CXCR4’s effect on EECs.MethodsThe expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in EECs was measured by using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of EEC-conditioned medium (EEC-CM) and recombinant human CXCL12 (rhCXCL12) on EEC migration and invasion in vitro were evaluated with migration and invasion assays. In-cell western blot analysis was used to examine the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERKs) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) after CXCL12 treatment.ResultsCXCL12 and CXCR4 were both expressed in human first-trimester EECs at the mRNA and protein level. Both EEC-CM and rhCXCL12 significantly increased the migration and invasion of EECs (P < 0.05), which could be blocked by neutralizing antibodies against CXCR4 (P < 0.05) or CXCL12 (P < 0.05), respectively. CXCL12 activated both PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 signaling and CXCR4 neutralizing antibody effectively reduced CXCL12-induced phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2. LY294002, a PI3K-AKT inhibitor, was able to reverse the promotive effect of EEC-CM or rhCXCL12 on EEC migration and invasion.ConclusionsHuman first-trimester EECs promoted their own migration and invasion through the autocrine mechanism with CXCL12/CXCR4 axis involvement by activating PI3K/AKT signaling. This study contributes to a better understanding of the epithelium function mediated by chemokine and chemokine receptor during normal pregnancy.

Knockdown of cd44 decreases attachment but not invasion of endometrial epithelial cells

Previously, we showed decreased development of endometriotic lesions in CD44 knockout mice compared to control.1 This suggests that the CD44/hyaluronic acid (HA) system plays a role in the development of the early endometriotic lesion. Here, we assess the in vitro effects of CD44 knockdown (KD) on endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) through attachment to and invasion through a peritoneal mesothelial cell (PMC) monolayer. We also investigate the expression of the receptor for hyaluronic acid mediated motility (RHAMM), another receptor for hyaluronic acid. In vitro studies. Primary EECs were isolated from menstrual endometrial biopsies. EECs were immortalized (iEECs) by telomerase vector, and verified by genotyping. CD44 KD in iEECs was created by CRISPR technique and verified through flow cytometry and western blot. Established in vitro assays were used to assess iEEC attachment to PMCs and invasion through a monolayer of PMCs on a matrigel matrix. Results were analyzed with student t-tests. CD44 KD iEECs demonstrate decreased in vitro attachment to PMCs compared to control (p=0.008). CD44 KD iEECs increased in vitro invasion to PMC compared to control (p= 0.001). In CD44 KD iEECs, RHAMM mRNA expression increases compared to control (p<0.001). Our finding that CD44 KD decreases attachment to PMCs further supports the involvement of CD44/HA in the development of the early endometriotic lesion. The increase in invasiveness of CD44 KD and the compensatory increase in RHAMM suggest that other CD44 ligands are involved in endometrial cell invasion.

Selective estrogen receptor modulator ormeloxifene suppresses embryo implantation via inducing miR-140 and targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in rat uterus

Ormeloxifene, the non-steroidal SERM contraceptive, inhibits endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation via countering nidatory estrogen. However, the molecular mechanism of ormeloxifene action responsible for its contraceptive efficacy still remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to identify the miRNAs modulated under the influence of ormeloxifene and to explore their role in endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation. By doing microRNA sequencing analysis, a total of 168 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in uterine tissue of ormeloxifene-treated rats, on day 5 (10:00 h) of pregnancy i.e. peri-implantation period. Out of differentially expressed miRNAs, miR-140 expression was found to be elevated in ormeloxifene administered groups and was selected for detailed investigation. In-vivo gain-of-function of miR-140 resulted in a significant reduction of implantation sites indicating its role in embryo implantation. The experiment on delayed implantation showed that estradiol caused down-regulation of miR-140. It also suppressed the attachment and outgrowth of BeWo spheroids to RL95-2 endometrial cells. In transwell migration assay, miR-140 was found to be involved in suppression of migration and invasion of endometrial epithelial cells. The ormeloxifene treatment caused up-regulation of miR-140 along with down-regulated expression of its target IGF1R in endometrial epithelial and stromal cells which also led to the suppression of downstream effectors integrin β3 and FAK. In mimic miR-140 receiving horn, the reduced expression of IGF1R was observed along with suppressed downstream integrin β3 and FAK similar to that observed in uteri of ormeloxifene- treated rats. Taken together, these findings suggest that ormeloxifene-induced inhibition of embryo implantation occurs via inducing miR-140 and altering its target IGF1R in rat uterus.

Platelet‐derived microparticles and soluble factors differentially regulate human endometrial epithelial cell movement

We previously proposed that platelets promote re-epithelialization during menstruation. As cell movement is one of the important cell behaviors in the process of tissue remodeling, we examined the effects of platelets on endometrial epithelial cell invasion. The platelets were isolated from healthy women. Using a human endometrial epithelial cell-derived immortalized cell line, EM-E6/E7/hTERT cells, we examined the effects of platelets and platelet-derived condition media with or without microparticles on the morphological and invasive properties of EM-E6/E7/hTERT cells. Platelets and microparticle-containing conditioned media inhibited Matrigel invasion by EM-E6/E7/hTERT cells along with an increase in cortical ring formation, whereas microparticle-depleted conditioned media promoted their invasion without any significant changes of cortical ring formation. These results support our previous proposal and newly suggest the dual roles of platelets: platelet-derived soluble factors that promote cell movement in the distant area, and microparticles that induce re-epithelialization by endometrial epithelial cells in the proximal area.

MiR-10b Directly Targets ZEB1 and PIK3CA to Curb Adenomyotic Epithelial Cell Invasiveness via Upregulation of E-Cadherin and Inhibition of Akt Phosphorylation

Background/Aims: Adenomyosis is a disease in which ectopic endometrial glands and stromal cells appear in the uterine myometrium. Despite its prevalence, the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of adenomyosis are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-10b and its target genes ZEB1 and PIK3CA in adenomyosis. Methods: 1387 miRNAs in human normal endometrium and ectopic endometrial lesions of adenomyosis using a microarray screen assay. The significant differential expression of 10 miRNAs was confirmed by qRT-PCR. The expression of miR-10b in endometrial epithelial cells isolated from normal endometrium and paired eutopic and ectopic endometrium of adenomyosis was measured by qRT-PCR. Subsequently, the targets of miR-10b were predicted by bioinformatics and confirmed using a luciferase assay, and the mRNA and protein expression of ZEB1 and PIK3CA were assessed in the endometrium or endometrial epithelial cells by qRT-PCR and western blotting or immunohistochemical analysis. Cell migration and cell invasion of endometrial epithelial cells with different treatments by Transwell assays. The expression of p-AKT, Akt and E-cadherin proteins was determined by Western blot analysis. Results: MiR-10b expression was significantly downregulated in both adenomyotic lesions and adenomyotic epithelial cells. MiR-10b overexpression in adenomyotic epithelial cells inhibited cell migration and invasion. We then demonstrated that miR-10b directly targets the 3'-UTRs of ZEB1 and PIK3CA, and downregulates ZEB1 and PIK3CA in adenomyotic epithelial cells, leading to increased E-cadherin expression and decreased Akt phosphorylation. Conclusions: miR-10b directly targets ZEB1 and PIK3CA to curb adenomyotic epithelial cell invasiveness via upregulation of E-Cadherin and inhibition of Akt phosphorylation.

Oestrogen-induced angiogenesis promotes adenomyosis by activating the Slug-VEGF axis in endometrial epithelial cells.

Adenomyosis is an oestrogen-dependent disease characterized by the invasion of endometrial epithelial cells into the myometrium of uterus, and angiogenesis is thought to be required for the implantation of endometrial glandular tissues during the adenomyotic pathogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that compared with eutopic endometria, adenomyotic lesions exhibited increased vascularity as detected by sonography. Microscopically, the lesions also exhibited an oestrogen-associated elevation of microvascular density and VEGF expression in endometrial epithelial cells. We previously reported that oestrogen-induced Slug expression was critical for endometrial epithelial–mesenchymal transition and development of adenomyosis. Our present studies demonstrated that estradiol (E2) elicited a Slug-VEGF axis in endometrial epithelial cells, and also induced pro-angiogenic activity in vascular endothelial cells. The antagonizing agents against E2 or VEGF suppressed endothelial cells migration and tubal formation. Animal experiments furthermore confirmed that blockage of E2 or VEGF was efficient to attenuate the implantation of adenomyotic lesions. These results highlight the importance of oestrogen-induced angiogenesis in adenomyosis development and provide a potential strategy for treating adenomyosis through intercepting the E2-Slug-VEGF pathway.