Hexachlorobenzene and chlorpyrifos, environmental pollutants that disrupt the endocrine system, promote angiogenesis associated with endometriosis

Leandro Ceballos, Ceballos L, Martina Leturia, Leturia M, Noelia Miret, Noelia V Miret, Carolina Pontillo, Pontillo C, Sol Buján, Buján S, Mariel Núñez, Núñez M, Randi A, Andrea Randi, Chiappini F, Florencia Chiappini
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association · 2026 · vol. 215 , pp. 116213 · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2026.116213 · PMID:42250590 · W7163705616
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Environmental pollutants hexachlorobenzene and chlorpyrifos were found to promote angiogenesis, a process linked to the development and progression of endometriosis.

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Abstract

Endometriosis defined by the growth of endometrial tissues outside the uterus, affects women of reproductive age. A critical process in endometriosis progression, angiogenesis involves endothelial cell migration, proliferation and tube formation, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) playing a powerful role. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting pollutants, like Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) andChlorpyrifos (CPF), is linked to a higher risk of reproductive diseases including endometriosis. Both HCB and CPF are weak aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands. These study examined HCB and CPF mechanisms of action in endometriosis-associated angiogenesis in vitro. Our results show that HCB (0.005, 0.05 and 5 μM) and CPF (0.5-50 μM) induced VEGF secretion in human stromal endometrial cells (T-HESCs). Moreover, HCB- or CPF-conditioned media (HCB-CM, CPF-CM) from T-HESCs boosted endothelial cell (EA.hy926) proliferation and survival. In addition, wound healing assays rendered an increase in EA.hy926 cell migration after exposure to HCB-CM (0.005-0.5 μM) or CPF-CM (5 μM), while tube-like structures revealed an increase in neovasculogenesis after HCB-CM (0.5 μM) or CPF-CM (5 μM). Our findings show that HCB- and CPF-induced angiogenesis was mediated by AhR and VEGF receptor-2. These results demonstrate that both pesticides increase VEGF secretion in endometrial cells and triggers angiogenesis, a critical event in endometriosis progression.

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MeSH descriptors

Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis Angiogenesis

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References (36)

SciLite annotations

chemicals 4
hexachlorobenzene chlorpyrifos hexachlorobenzene chlorpyrifos
organisms 3
noordeloos 2009062 human tetraodon pardalis

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