The uterine secretome initiates growth of gynecologic tissues in ectopic locations

Endosalpingiosis (ES) and endometriosis (EM) refer to the growth of tubal and endometrial epithelium respectively, outside of their site of origin. We hypothesize that uterine secretome factors drive ectopic growth. To test this, we developed a mouse model of ES and EM using tdTomato (tdT) transgenic fluorescent mice as donors. To block implantation factors, progesterone knockout (PKO) tdT mice were created. Fluorescent lesions were present after oviduct implantation with and without WT endometrium. Implantation was increased (p<0.05) when tdt oviductal tissue was implanted with endometrium compared to oviductal tissue alone. Implantation was reduced (p<0.0005) in animals implanted with minced tdT oviductal tissue with PKO tdT endometrium compared to WT endometrium. Finally, oviductal tissues was incubated with and without a known implantation factor, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) prior to and during implantation. LIF promoted lesion implantation. In conclusion, endometrial derived implantation factors, such as LIF, are necessary to initiate ectopic tissue growth. We have developed an animal model of ectopic growth of gynecologic tissues in a WT mouse which will potentially allow for development of new prevention and treatment modalities.

The autophagy protein, ATG14 safeguards against unscheduled pyroptosis activation to enable embryo transport during early pregnancy

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), characterized by two or more failed clinical pregnancies, poses a significant challenge to reproductive health. In addition to embryo quality and endometrial function, proper oviduct function is also essential for successful pregnancy establishment. Therefore, structural abnormalities or inflammation resulting from infection in the oviduct may impede the transport of embryos to the endometrium, thereby increasing the risk of miscarriage. However, the precise cellular mechanisms that maintain the structural and functional integrity of the oviduct are not studied yet. Here, we report that autophagy is critical for maintaining the oviduct homeostasis and keeping the inflammation under check to enable embryo transport. Specifically, the loss of the autophagy-related gene, Atg14 in the oviduct causes severe structural abnormalities compromising its cellular plasticity and integrity leading to the retention of embryos. Interestingly, the selective loss of Atg14 in oviduct ciliary epithelial cells did not impact female fertility, highlighting the specificity of ATG14 function in distinct cell types within the oviduct. Mechanistically, loss of Atg14 triggered unscheduled pyroptosis leading to inappropriate embryo retention and impeded embryo transport in the oviduct. Finally, pharmacological activation of pyroptosis in pregnant mice led to an impairment in embryo transport. Together, we found that ATG14 safeguards against unscheduled pyroptosis activation to enable embryo transport from the oviduct to uterus for the successful implantation. Of clinical significance, these findings provide possible insights on the underlying mechanism(s) of early pregnancy loss and might aid in developing novel prevention strategies using autophagy modulators.

Unusual Case of Uterine Intravascular Leiomyomatosis with Lymphatic Spread to Pelvic Lymph Nodes

Introduction/Objective

Intravascular leiomyomatosis, also known as intravenous leiomyomatosis, is characterized by presence of smooth muscle within venous spaces in the myometrium, usually in conjunction with a leiomyoma. Although presence of tumor within lymphatics in addition to veins are alluded to in literature, exclusively lymphatic spread with lymph node metastases have not been previously reported.

Methods/Case Report

A 50-year-old woman presented with left flank pain. CT pelvis showed an enlarged uterus with multiple large leiomyomata as well as pelvic lymph node enlargement. Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo- ophorectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection was performed. Gross examination revealed multifibroid uterus. Separately sent pelvic lymph nodes showed well-circumscribed, whorled lesions resembling leiomyoma. Microscopically, in addition to typical leiomyomata, a 11.5 cm intramural tumor with epithelioid cells, very rare mitoses and no necrosis was identified. Adjacent to this mass, several large endothelial lined spaces (positive for D240 and negative for CD31), consistent with lymphatics, showed intravascular extension of the same epithelioid tumor. All the pelvic lymph nodes were replaced by the tumor. Due to the unusual morphology and pattern of spread, immunohistochemical stains were performed to rule out an endometrial stromal sarcoma and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. The lesion was positive for desmin, caldesmon, and negative for CD10 and HMB45. Ki67 was extremely low (&lt;1%). Based on morphology and immunophenotype, the tumor was consistent with an epithelioid leiomyoma with highly unusual lymphatic spread through myometrial vessels to regional lymph nodes.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA

Conclusion

Intravascular leiomyomatosis is a rare condition with no reported progression to malignancy. Typically, benign smooth muscle is present in veins within the myometrium of a leiomyomatous uterus with progressive spread to the right heart via the inferior vena cava. We present the first report of a rare case of intravascular leiomyomatosis with spread exclusively via lymphatics to pelvic lymph nodes.

Extrauterine Epithelioid Trophoblastic Tumor (ETT) Arising from an Antecedent Undiagnosed Molar Pregnancy Presenting as an Adnexal mass: A Case Report

Introduction/Objective

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is an extremely rare neoplasm derived from chorionic type intermediate trophoblast. ETT usually follows an antecedent term pregnancy but can also follow spontaneous abortions or molar pregnancy. ETT most often arises from the endometrium, followed by the cervix. Extrauterine ETT are extremely rare, with few cases reported in literature.

Methods/Case Report

A 41-year-old woman with three term pregnancies presented with abdominal pain, ten years after her last pregnancy. Imaging findings of a 3.5 cm adnexal mass coupled with an elevated serum β-hCG (~ 900 mIU/ml), led to the suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy. Hysterectomy with salpingectomy revealed a 4.7 cm, tan- yellow, necrotic mass in the adnexal region abutting but distinct from the uterine serosa. Histologic evaluation showed a well- circumscribed tumor with pushing borders. The tumor cells were epithelioid with well-defined eosinophilic cytoplasm, monomorphic nuclei, frequent mitosis, and abundant geographic necrosis. The tumor cells were positive for β-hCG, GATA-3, PLAP and inhibin, with focal weak staining squamous markers p63 and p40. DNA fingerprinting analysis, performed to confirm the diagnosis of ETT, revealed a homozygous tumor with two copies of non-maternal genes indicating that the antecedent index gestation giving rise to the tumor was an undiagnosed hydatidiform mole. Following surgery, serum β-hCG levels were normal and the patient is currently on surveillance.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA

Conclusion

We present an extremely rare case of extrauterine ETT arising from a previously undetected molar pregnancy. The diagnosis should be suspected when a mass is observed at extrauterine sites with elevated β-hCG levels in patients with or without vaginal bleeding. Histologic differential of squamous cell carcinoma needs to be ruled out with immunostains. Due to its rarity and highly variable presentation, this entity remains a diagnostic challenge. DNA fingerprinting analysis demonstrating non-maternal genes can help confirm the diagnosis of ETT.

A Role for Progesterone-Regulated sFRP4 Expression in Uterine Leiomyomas

CONTEXT

Despite progesterone's key role in uterine smooth muscle tumorigenesis, the mechanisms by which it promotes the growth of uterine leiomyomas remain poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify gene products mediating the effects of progesterone in uterine leiomyomas.

DESIGN

Gene expression profiling was used to identify putative progesterone-regulated genes differentially expressed in uterine leiomyomas, which were then studied in vitro.

METHODS

Gene expression was comprehensively profiled with the Illumina WG BeadChip (version 2.6) and analyzed with a bioinformatic algorithm that integrates known protein-protein interactions. Genomic binding sites for progesterone receptor (PR) were interrogated by chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-qPCR). Small interfering RNA was used to study gene function in primary cell lines.

RESULTS

Our analyses identified secreted Frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4) as a key gene product functionally linked to PR activation whose expression was 2.6 times higher in leiomyomas than myometrium (n = 26, P < 0.01) and 2.5 times higher during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle (n = 26, P < 0.01). Direct binding between PR and sFRP4 promoter was observed by ChIP-qPCR. Robust overexpression of sFRP4 was also observed in primary cultures derived from leiomyoma. Progesterone preferentially inhibited sFRP4 expression and secretion in leiomyoma cultures in a dose-dependent manner sensitized by estradiol. Knockdown of sFRP4 inhibited proliferation and apoptosis in primary cultures of both myometrium and leiomyoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of sFRP4 is a robust, progesterone-regulated feature of leiomyomas that increases smooth muscle proliferation. More work is needed to elucidate how progesterone's ability to modulate sFRP4 expression contributes to uterine smooth muscle tumorigenesis.