Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial Polyps
Endometrial polyps (EPs) are benign overgrowths of the endometrial tissue lining the uterus, often causing abnormal bleeding or infertility. This study analyzed gene expression differences between EPs and adjacent endometrial tissue to elucidate intrinsic abnormalities promoting pathological overgro...
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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author | Christine Shan-Chi Chiu Ling-Yu Yeh Szu-Hua Pan Sheng-Hsiang Li |
author_facet | Christine Shan-Chi Chiu Ling-Yu Yeh Szu-Hua Pan Sheng-Hsiang Li |
author_sort | Christine Shan-Chi Chiu |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Endometrial polyps (EPs) are benign overgrowths of the endometrial tissue lining the uterus, often causing abnormal bleeding or infertility. This study analyzed gene expression differences between EPs and adjacent endometrial tissue to elucidate intrinsic abnormalities promoting pathological overgrowth. RNA sequencing of 12 pairs of EPs and the surrounding endometrial tissue from infertile women revealed 322 differentially expressed genes. Protein–protein interaction network analysis revealed significant alterations in specific signaling pathways, notably Wnt signaling and vascular smooth muscle regulation, suggesting these pathways play critical roles in the pathophysiology of EPs. Wnt-related genes <i>DKK1</i> and <i>DKKL1</i> were upregulated, while <i>GPC3</i>, <i>GREM1</i>, <i>RSPO3</i>, <i>SFRP5</i>, and <i>WNT10B</i> were downregulated. Relevant genes for vascular smooth muscle contraction were nearly all downregulated in EPs, including <i>ACTA2</i>, <i>ACTG2</i>, <i>KCNMB1</i>, <i>KCNMB2</i>, <i>MYL9</i>, <i>PPP1R12B</i>, and <i>TAGLN</i>. Overall, the results indicate fundamental gene expression changes promote EP formation through unrestrained growth signaling and vascular defects. The intrinsic signaling abnormalities likely contribute to clinical symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility common in EP patients. This analysis provides molecular insights into abnormal endometrial overgrowth to guide improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this troublesome women’s health condition. Confirmation of expanded cohorts and further investigations into implicated regulatory relationships are warranted. |
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issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:29:24Z |
publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
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series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
spelling | doaj.art-d0a1125061d645528000f2a0257171122024-03-12T16:45:26ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672024-02-01255255710.3390/ijms25052557Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial PolypsChristine Shan-Chi Chiu0Ling-Yu Yeh1Szu-Hua Pan2Sheng-Hsiang Li3Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, TaiwanDepartment of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui District, New Taipei 251, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, TaiwanDepartment of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui District, New Taipei 251, TaiwanEndometrial polyps (EPs) are benign overgrowths of the endometrial tissue lining the uterus, often causing abnormal bleeding or infertility. This study analyzed gene expression differences between EPs and adjacent endometrial tissue to elucidate intrinsic abnormalities promoting pathological overgrowth. RNA sequencing of 12 pairs of EPs and the surrounding endometrial tissue from infertile women revealed 322 differentially expressed genes. Protein–protein interaction network analysis revealed significant alterations in specific signaling pathways, notably Wnt signaling and vascular smooth muscle regulation, suggesting these pathways play critical roles in the pathophysiology of EPs. Wnt-related genes <i>DKK1</i> and <i>DKKL1</i> were upregulated, while <i>GPC3</i>, <i>GREM1</i>, <i>RSPO3</i>, <i>SFRP5</i>, and <i>WNT10B</i> were downregulated. Relevant genes for vascular smooth muscle contraction were nearly all downregulated in EPs, including <i>ACTA2</i>, <i>ACTG2</i>, <i>KCNMB1</i>, <i>KCNMB2</i>, <i>MYL9</i>, <i>PPP1R12B</i>, and <i>TAGLN</i>. Overall, the results indicate fundamental gene expression changes promote EP formation through unrestrained growth signaling and vascular defects. The intrinsic signaling abnormalities likely contribute to clinical symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility common in EP patients. This analysis provides molecular insights into abnormal endometrial overgrowth to guide improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this troublesome women’s health condition. Confirmation of expanded cohorts and further investigations into implicated regulatory relationships are warranted.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/5/2557endometrial polypsgene expressionWnt signaling pathwayvascular smooth musclefemale infertility |
spellingShingle | Christine Shan-Chi Chiu Ling-Yu Yeh Szu-Hua Pan Sheng-Hsiang Li Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial Polyps International Journal of Molecular Sciences endometrial polyps gene expression Wnt signaling pathway vascular smooth muscle female infertility |
title | Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial Polyps |
title_full | Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial Polyps |
title_fullStr | Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial Polyps |
title_full_unstemmed | Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial Polyps |
title_short | Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial Polyps |
title_sort | transcriptomic analysis reveals intrinsic abnormalities in endometrial polyps |
topic | endometrial polyps gene expression Wnt signaling pathway vascular smooth muscle female infertility |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/5/2557 |
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