SKP2 regulates ZEB1 expression and stimulates eutopic endometrial stromal cell invasion and proliferation of adenomyosis

Overview of crosstalk between stromal and epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis and shared features with deep endometriotic nodules

Since the first description of adenomyosis more than 150 years ago, multiple hypotheses have attempted to explain its pathogenesis. Indeed, research over recent years has greatly enhanced our knowledge of the underlying causes. This has opened up avenues for the development of strategies for both disease prevention and treatment of its main symptoms, such as pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility. However, the current means are still largely ineffective, so it is vital that we shed light on the pathways involved. Dysregulated mechanisms and aberrant protein expression have been identified as contributing factors in interactions between endometrial epithelial and stromal cells, ultimately leading to the growth of adenomyotic lesions. These include collective cell migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, hormonal influence, and signaling from non-coding RNAs and extracellular vesicles. We provide a concise summary of the latest insights into the crosstalk between glands and stroma in ectopic adenomyotic lesion formation. While there is an abundance of literature on similarities between adenomyosis and deep endometriosis, there are insufficient data on the cytochemical, molecular, and pathogenetic mechanisms of these two disorders. However, various shared features, including alterations of cell adhesion molecules, abnormal hormone regulation, and the presence of cancer-driving mutations and epigenetic modifications, have been identified. Nevertheless, the pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to the cause and development of these enigmatic diseases have not been fully elucidated yet.

Comprehensive analysis of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network and novel potential biomarkers in eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis

Adenomyosis (ADS) is a common gynecological disorder, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. This study explores the functions of circRNAs in the eutopic endometrium of ADS and their diagnostic efficacy for ADS. High-throughput RNA sequencing was performed on 12 eutopic endometrial samples from ADS patients and 3 control endometrial samples. Additionally, circRNAs were analyzed in conjunction with clinical features. A competitive endogenous RNA network was established based on bioinformatics analysis, comprising 3 circRNAs, 1 miRNA, and 13 mRNAs. In the ADS group, the expression levels of hsa_circ_0008959 and SLC15A4 were significantly reduced, while hsa-miR-124-3p expression was increased. SLC15A4 was associated with cell proliferation and invasion. Decreased expression of hsa_circ_0008959 and SLC15A4, along with high VAS scores and elevated hsa-miR-124-3p levels, were identified as risk factors for ADS development. The combination of hsa_circ_0008959 and VAS scores demonstrated the highest diagnostic value for ADS.

Exploration the global single-cell ecological landscape of adenomyosis-related cell clusters by single-cell RNA sequencing

Background: Adenomyosis (AM) is a common benign uterine disease that threatens the normal life of patients. Cells associated with microenvironmental immune ecology are crucial in AM, although they are not as well understood at the cellular level.

Methods: Single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were used to construct an AM global single-cell map, to further identify relevant cell clusters and infer chromosomal copy number variation (CNV) in AM samples. The biological functions of cell clusters were explored and cellular evolutionary processes were inferred by enrichment analysis and pseudotime analysis. In addition, a gene regulatory network (GRN) analysis was constructed to explore the regulatory role of transcription factors in AM progression.

Results: We obtained the expression profiles of 42260 cells and identified 10 cell clusters. By comparing the differences in cell components between AM patients and controls, we found that significant abundance of endometrial cells (EC), epithelial cells (Ep), endothelial cells (En), and smooth muscle cells (SMC) in AM patients. Cell clusters with high CNV levels possessing tumour-like features existed in the ectopic endometrium samples. Moreover, the Ep clusters were significantly involved in leukocyte transendothelial cell migration and apoptosis, suggesting an association with cell apoptosis and migration. En clusters were mainly involved in pathways in cancer and apoptosis, indicating that En has certain malignant features.

Conclusion: This study identified cell clusters with immune-related features, investigated the changes in the immune ecology of the microenvironment of these cells during AM, and provided a new strategy for the treatment of AM.