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Zhang Y, Chen W, Dong X, Shang W, Shao S, Zhang L. Long-term maintenance of human endometrial epithelial organoids and their stem cell properties. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 123:108522. [PMID: 38096957 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108522] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The endometrium undergoes dynamic changes throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, which is unique to primates. Endometrium remodeling is essential for the implantation and nutritional support of the conceptus. Despite this, the role of uterine glands in driving endometrial tissue remodeling is still poorly understood. To address this, a 3-dimensional culture system was used to generate endometrial epithelial organoids from human endometrium biopsies. These organoids are genetically stable, long-term expandability. They reproduce some functions of uterine glands in vivo. The epithelial organoids exhibit characteristics of stem cells, with the proportion of stem cells increasing with culture time and passage number. Long-term maintenance of organoids strongly expressed stemness related genes accompanied by a decrease expression in mature epithelial gene, which suggests the organoids had switched from a mature stage to a progenitor stage. Thus we proposed the possible markers for epithelial progenitors. Meanwhile, long-term cultured organoids exhibit an increase in the proportion of luminal epithelial stem cells, accompanied by a decrease of glandular epithelial stem cells. Organoids also show hormone responsiveness, reflecting the various stages of the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hebei Medical University, 050000 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hebei Medical University, 050000 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaomin Dong
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), 100010 Beijing, China
| | - Wei Shang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100010 Beijing, China
| | - Suxia Shao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hebei Medical University, 050000 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hebei Medical University, 050000 Shijiazhuang, China.
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Bremer S, Brittebo E, Dencker L, Knudsen LE, Mathisien L, Olovsson M, Pazos P, Pellizzer C, Paulesu LR, Schaefer W, Schwarz M, Staud F, Stavreus-Evers A, Vähänkangas K. In Vitro Tests for Detecting Chemicals Affecting the Embryo Implantation Process. Altern Lab Anim 2019; 35:421-39. [PMID: 17850188 DOI: 10.1177/026119290703500407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Bremer
- ECVAM, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy.
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Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are ubiquitous and persistent compounds that have the capacity to interfere with normal endocrine homoeostasis. The female reproductive tract is exquisitely sensitive to the action of sex steroids, and oestrogens play a key role in normal reproductive function. Malignancies of the female reproductive tract are the fourth most common cancer in women, with endometrial cancer accounting for most cases. Established risk factors for development of endometrial cancer include high BMI and exposure to oestrogens or synthetic compounds such as tamoxifen. Studies on cell and animal models have provided evidence that many EDC can bind oestrogen receptors and highlighted early life exposure as a window of risk for adverse lifelong effects on the reproductive system. The most robust evidence for a link between early life exposure to EDC and adverse reproductive health has come from studies on women who were exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol. Demonstration that EDC can alter expression of members of the HOX gene cluster highlights one pathway that might be vulnerable to their actions. In summary, evidence for a direct link between EDC exposure and cancers of the reproductive system is currently incomplete. It will be challenging to attribute causality to any single EDC when exposure and development of malignancy may be separated by many years and influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet (a source of phytoestrogens) and adiposity. This review considers some of the evidence collected to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas A Gibson
- Queen's Medical Research Institute, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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Kim ST, Lee SK, Gye MC. Cyclic Changes in the Expression ofp57kip2in Human Endometrium and its Regulation by Steroid Hormones in Endometrial Stromal Cells In Vitro. Reprod Sci 2011; 19:92-101. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719111414209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sung Tae Kim
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sung Ki Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konyang University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Myung Chan Gye
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
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5
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Dassen H, Punyadeera C, Delvoux B, Schulkens I, Marchetti C, Kamps R, Klomp J, Dijcks F, de Goeij A, D'Hooghe T, Kyama C, Ederveen A, Dunselman G, Groothuis P, Romano A. Olfactomedin-4 regulation by estrogen in the human endometrium requires epidermal growth factor signaling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 177:2495-508. [PMID: 21048224 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.100026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Olfactomedin-4 (OLFM-4) is an extracellular matrix protein that is highly expressed in human endometrium. We have examined the regulation and function of OLFM-4 in normal endometrium and in cases of endometriosis and endometrial cancer. OLFM-4 expression levels are highest in proliferative-phase endometrium, and 17β-estradiol up-regulates OLFM-4 mRNA in endometrial explant cultures. Using the luciferase reporter under control of the OLFM-4 promoter, it was shown that both 17β-estradiol and OH-tamoxifen induce luciferase activity, and epidermal growth factor receptor-1 is required for this estrogenic response. In turn, EGF activates the OLFM-4 promoter, and estrogen receptor-α is needed for the complete EGF response. The cellular functions of OLFM-4 were examined by its expression in OLFM-4-negative HEK-293 cells, which resulted in decreased vimentin expression and cell adherence as well as increased apoptosis resistance. In cases of endometriosis and endometrial cancer, OLFM-4 expression correlated with the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor-1 and estrogen receptor-α (or estrogen signaling). An increase of OLFM-4 mRNA was observed in the endometrium of endometriosis patients. No change in OLFM-4 expression levels were observed in patients with endometrial cancer relative with controls. In conclusion, cross-talk between estrogen and EGF signaling regulates OLFM-4 expression. The role of OLFM-4 in endometrial tissue remodeling before the secretory phase and during the predisposition and early events in endometriosis can be postulated but requires additional investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellen Dassen
- GROW--School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Department of Pathology, Maastricht University and Medical Centre, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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6
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Deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferases and methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins in human endometrium and endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2011; 95:1421-7. [PMID: 21316665 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2010] [Revised: 12/28/2010] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine [1] expression levels of both DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins (MBDs) in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis and [2] hormone responsiveness of DNMT and MBD expression in explant cultures of proliferative phase endometrium. DESIGN In vitro study. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENT(S) Premenopausal women with and without endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S) Explant cultures of proliferative phase endometrium were treated with vehicle, 17β-E(2), or a combination of E(2) and P (E(2) + P) for 24 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT2, and DNMT3B and MBD1, MBD2, and MeCP2 with use of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULT(S) Expression levels of DNMT1 and MBD2 were significantly higher in secretory-phase endometrium compared with proliferative endometrium and menstrual endometrium. In explant cultures, treatment with E(2) + P resulted in significant up-regulation of DNMT1 and MBD2. Expression levels of several DNMTs and MBDs were significantly lower in endometriotic lesions compared with eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and disease-free controls. CONCLUSION(S) These findings suggest a role for DNMTs and MBDs in the growth and differentiation of the human endometrium and support the notion that endometriosis may be an epigenetic disease.
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Schäfer WR, Fischer L, Roth K, Jüllig AK, Stuckenschneider JE, Schwartz P, Weimer M, Orlowska-Volk M, Hanjalic-Beck A, Kranz I, Deppert WR, Zahradnik HP. Critical evaluation of human endometrial explants as an ex vivo model system: a molecular approach. Mol Hum Reprod 2010; 17:255-65. [PMID: 21115633 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaq095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The human endometrium is unique among adult tissues. Its functions are modulated by numerous hormones and mediators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of human endometrial explants for studying functional effects of chemicals and drugs on gene expression biomarkers. Endometrial tissues were obtained by aspiration curettage and cultivated for up to 24 h. Relative mRNA concentrations were determined by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR. Viability was assessed by light microscopy, lactate dehydrogenase assay and scanning electron microscopy. It was acceptable after 6 h of culture but reduced after 24 h. Culture-induced alterations of mRNA levels were found for progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor(α), leukemia inhibitory factor and cyclooxygenase-2 in tissues from all cycle stages. The suitability of the model to detect chemical effects was demonstrated by the down-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA by chlormadinone acetate in proliferative and secretory endometrium. The model is mainly restricted by interindividual variations and varying tissue quality. An advantage is the preservation of tissue composition. We conclude that human endometrial explants are a complex model due to limited viability, difficult standardization and intrinsic alterations during culture. Experiments with this model should be performed over a limited time period under strictly controlled conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang R Schäfer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Endocrinology Laboratory), University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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Collins F, MacPherson S, Brown P, Bombail V, Williams ARW, Anderson RA, Jabbour HN, Saunders PTK. Expression of oestrogen receptors, ERalpha, ERbeta, and ERbeta variants, in endometrial cancers and evidence that prostaglandin F may play a role in regulating expression of ERalpha. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:330. [PMID: 19758455 PMCID: PMC2755482 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2009] [Accepted: 09/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy; risk factors include exposure to oestrogens and high body mass index. Expression of enzymes involved in biosynthesis of oestrogens and prostaglandins (PG) is often higher in endometrial cancers when compared with levels detected in normal endometrium. Oestrogens bind one of two receptors (ERα and ERβ) encoded by separate genes. The full-length receptors function as ligand-activated transcription factors; splice variant isoforms of ERβ lacking a ligand-binding domain have also been described. PGs act in an autocrine or paracrine manner by binding to specific G-protein coupled receptors. Methods We compared expression of ERs, progesterone receptor (PR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in stage 1 endometrial adenocarcinomas graded as well (G1), moderately (G2) or poorly (G3) differentiated (n ≥ 10 each group) using qRTPCR, single and double immunohistochemistry. We used endometrial adenocarcinoma cell lines to investigate the impact of PGF2α on expression of ERs and PR. Results Full length ERβ (ERβ1) and two ERβ variants (ERβ2, ERβ5) were expressed in endometrial cancers regardless of grade and the proteins were immunolocalised to the nuclei of cells in both epithelial and stromal compartments. Immunoexpression of COX-2 was most intense in cells that were ERαneg/low. Expression of PR in endometrial adenocarcinoma (Ishikawa) cell lines and tissues broadly paralleled that of ERα. Treatment of adenocarcinoma cells with PGF2α reduced expression of ERα but had no impact on ERβ1. Cells incubated with PGF2α were unable to increase expression of PR mRNA when they were incubated with E2. Conclusion We have demonstrated that ERβ5 protein is expressed in stage 1 endometrial adenocarcinomas. Expression of three ERβ variants, including the full-length protein is not grade-dependent and most cells in poorly differentiated cancers are ERβpos/ERαneg. We found evidence of a link between COX-2, its product PGF2α, and expression of ERα and PR that sheds new light on the cross talk between steroid and PG signalling pathways in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Collins
- MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, The University of Edinburgh Centre for Reproductive Biology, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
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Punyadeera C, Kamps R, Defrère S, Dijcks F, de Goeij A, Ederveen A, Dunselman G, Groothuis P. Effects of selective oestrogen receptor modulators on proliferation in tissue cultures of pre- and postmenopausal human endometrium. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 112:102-9. [PMID: 18832036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2008.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2008] [Revised: 08/27/2008] [Accepted: 09/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We characterised the effects of selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERM) in explant cultures of human endometrium tissue. Endometrium tissues were cultured for 24h in Millicell-CM culture inserts in serum-free medium in the presence of vehicle, 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E2, 1nM), oestrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 164.384 (40nM), and 4-OH-tamoxifen (40nM), raloxifene (4nM), lasofoxifene (4nM) and acolbifene (4nM). Protein expression of ERalpha, ERbeta1 and Ki-67 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The proliferative fraction was assessed by counting the number of Ki-67 positive cells. Nuclear staining of ER( and ER(1 was observed in the glandular epithelium and stroma of pre- and postmenopausal endometrium. ER(1 protein was also localized in the endothelial cells of blood vessels. Treating premenopausal endometrium tissue with 17beta-E2 increased the fraction of Ki-67 positive cells (p<0.001) by 55% in glands compared to the control. Raloxifene (4nM) increased (p<0.05) the Ki-67 positive fraction. All other SERMS did not affect proliferation in this model. Treating postmenopausal endometrium with 17(-E2 increased (p<0.001) the fraction of Ki-67 positive cells by 250% in glands compared to the control. A similar effect was also seen for 4-OH-tamoxifen, whereas the rest of SERMs did not stimulate proliferation. We demonstrated that oestradiol increases the fraction of proliferating cells in short term explant cultures of postmenopausal endometrium. In addition, we were able to reveal the agonistic properties of 4-OH-tamoxifen and confirm that raloxifene and next-generation SERMs acolbifene and lasofoxifene were neutral on the human postmenopausal endometrium.
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Lo KKW, Lee TKM, Lau JSY, Poon WL, Cheng SH. Luminescent Biological Probes Derived from Ruthenium(II) Estradiol Polypyridine Complexes. Inorg Chem 2007; 47:200-8. [DOI: 10.1021/ic701735q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Kam-Wing Lo
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Terence Kwok-Ming Lee
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jason Shing-Yip Lau
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wing-Lin Poon
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuk-Han Cheng
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
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Groothuis PG, Dassen HHNM, Romano A, Punyadeera C. Estrogen and the endometrium: lessons learned from gene expression profiling in rodents and human. Hum Reprod Update 2007; 13:405-17. [PMID: 17584823 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmm009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, research into the biological processes and molecular mechanisms associated with endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation has been a focus of attention, whereas the complex events that occur in the human endometrium during the menstrual and proliferative phase under the influence of estrogen have received little attention. The objective of this review is to provide an update of our current understanding of the actions of estrogen on both human and rodent endometrium, with special emphasis on the regulation of uterine growth and cell proliferation, and the value of global gene expression analysis, in increasing understanding of these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Groothuis
- Research Institute GROW, University Hospital Maastricht/University Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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12
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Dassen H, Punyadeera C, Kamps R, Klomp J, Dunselman G, Dijcks F, de Goeij A, Ederveen A, Groothuis P. Progesterone regulation of implantation-related genes: new insights into the role of oestrogen. Cell Mol Life Sci 2007; 64:1009-32. [PMID: 17404688 PMCID: PMC2778656 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-007-6553-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Genomic profiling was performed on explants of late proliferative phase human endometrium after 24-h treatment with progesterone (P) or oestradiol and progesterone (17β-E2+P) and on explants of menstrual phase endometrium treated with 17β-E2+P. Gene expression was validated with real-time PCR in the samples used for the arrays, in endometrium collected from early and mid-secretory phase endometrium, and in additional experiments performed on new samples collected in the menstrual and late proliferative phase. The results show that late proliferative phase human endometrium is more responsive to progestins than menstrual phase endometrium, that the expression of several genes associated with embryo implantation (i.e. thrombomodulin, monoamine oxidase A, SPARC-like 1) can be induced by P in vitro, and that genes that are fully dependent on the continuous presence of 17β-E2 during P exposure can be distinguished from those that are P-dependent to a lesser extent. Therefore, 17β-E2 selectively primes implantation-related genes for the effects of P.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Dassen
- Research Institute GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - C. Punyadeera
- Research Institute GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Philips Research, High Tech Campus 11, Room 1.1.40, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - R. Kamps
- Research Institute GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J. Klomp
- Department of Pharmacology, Organon N.V., Oss, The Netherlands
| | - G. Dunselman
- Research Institute GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Maastricht/Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - F. Dijcks
- Department of Pharmacology, Organon N.V., Oss, The Netherlands
| | - A. de Goeij
- Research Institute GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A. Ederveen
- Department of Pharmacology, Organon N.V., Oss, The Netherlands
| | - P. Groothuis
- Research Institute GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Maastricht/Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Modugno F, Ness RB, Chen C, Weiss NS. Inflammation and Endometrial Cancer: A Hypothesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005; 14:2840-7. [PMID: 16364998 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-05-0493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Substantial epidemiologic data implicate an imbalance of estrogens and progestogens in the etiology of this disease. We propose that inflammation also plays a role in endometrial cancer development. Emerging laboratory data suggest that elevated levels of prostaglandin E(2) may underlie the transformation of normal endometrium to neoplastic tissue and that in vitro nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may inhibit endometrial cancer cell growth. In this review, we suggest that the risk factors for endometrial cancer--unopposed estrogens, anovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome, excessive menstruation, early menarche, and late menopause--may be viewed as factors increasing the exposure of the endometrium to inflammation, whereas pregnancy and smoking, two likely protective factors, have the opposite effect. Chronic inflammation can induce rapid cell division, increasing the possibility for replication error, ineffective DNA repair, and subsequent mutations. A proinflammatory milieu can also directly increase estrogen production. Hence, inflammation may work in conjunction with or in addition to estrogen exposure in the development of endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesmary Modugno
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 516A Parran Hall, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. modugno+@pitt.edu
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