{"paper_id":"dfaebef7-6dd6-467a-86ad-8de5eaefcdcc","body_text":"Abstract\nPurpose\nThe present study was performed to clarify the regulatory mechanism of miR-518c-3p in the progression of endometriosis (EMs).\nMethods\nMicroRNAs (miRNAs) potentially acting on EMs were predicted by bioinformatics databases and validated in normal and ectopic endometrium. The miR-518c-3p mimics were transfected into endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), and cell growth, death, and proliferation marker proteins expression were detected. The targeting relationship of miR-518c-3p with zinc finger protein 608 (ZNF608) was validated by luciferase reporter assay. ESCs were incubated with miR-518c-3p mimics alone or co-transfected with pcDNA-ZNF608, and growth, death, as well as proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker protein expression were detected. A rat model of EMs overexpressing miR-518c-3p alone or ZNF608 simultaneously was constructed to detect ectopic endometrial cell apoptosis and cyst volume in rats.\nResults\nMiR-518c-3p expression was downregulated in ectopic endometrium. MiR-518c-3p mimic inhibited migration, invasion and proliferation of ESCs, and promoted apoptosis. MiR-518c-3p targeted the 3'UTR of ZNF608. ZNF608 expression was upregulated in ESCs and ectopic endometrium, and the regulatory effect of pcDNA-ZNF608 on ESCs was opposite to that of miR-518c-3p mimics. ZNF608 overexpressing rats had greater endometrial cyst weight and volume, and decreased endometrial apoptosis compared with miR-518c-3p overexpressing alone.\nConclusion\nMiR-518c-3p inhibited growth, metastasis and EMT of ESCs and decreased ectopic endometrial area in rats with EMs by targeting ZNF608.\nSimilar content being viewed by others\nAvailability of data and materials\nAll data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.\nReferences\nLiu J et al (2019) LIM kinase 1 mediates estradiol effects on the phosphorylation of cofilin1 in eutopic endometrial stromal cells during the invasion and proliferation of endometriosis. Reprod Sci 26(11):1499–1505\nZhang S et al (2021) Global, regional, and national endometriosis trends from 1990 to 2017. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1484(1):90–101\nEisenberg VH et al (2018) Epidemiology of endometriosis endometriosis: a large population-based database study from a healthcare provider with 2 million members. 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All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\nCorresponding author\nEthics declarations\nConflict of interest\nThe authors state that there are no conflicts of interest. All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.\nEthics approval and consent to participate\nThe analysis was performed according to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University.\nConsent for publication\nThe authors give consent to the publication in the journal.\nAdditional information\nPublisher's Note\nSpringer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.\nRights and permissions\nAbout this article\nCite this article\nLu, B., Cao, X., chen, X. et al. MiR-518c-3p alleviates endometriosis by inhibiting ectopic endometrial migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition via targeting ZNF608. Arch Gynecol Obstet 307, 205–213 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-022-06439-x\nReceived:\nAccepted:\nPublished:\nVersion of record:\nIssue date:\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-022-06439-x","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}