Progestins inhibit expression of MMPs and of angiogenic factors in human ectopic endometrial lesions in a mouse model

Verena Mönckedieck, Mönckedieck V, C. Sannecke, Carolin Sannecke, Sannecke C, Husen B, Bettina Husen, Michael Kumbartski, Kumbartski M, M. Kumbartski, Kimmig R, Rainer Kimmig, Tötsch M, Martin Tötsch, Winterhager E, Elke Winterhager, Ruth Grümmer, Grümmer R
Molecular human reproduction · 2009 · vol. 15(10) , pp. 633–643 · doi:10.1093/molehr/gap063 · PMID:19671596 · W2132946391
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Progestins reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinases and angiogenic factors like bFGF, VEGFA, and CYR61 in human ectopic endometrial lesions in mice, altering microvessel density and stabilized vessel counts.

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Abstract

Progestins are successfully used in the treatment of endometriosis; however, the exact mechanisms of their action are still unsolved. We here focused on the effect of different progestins on parameters of extracellular matrix degradation and angiogenesis involved in the establishment and maintenance of ectopic endometrial lesions. Human endometrium was intraperitoneally transplanted into nude mice. After 7 and 28 days of treatment with progesterone, dydrogesterone, or its metabolite dihydrodydrogesterone, respectively, ectopic lesions were evaluated for proliferation and apoptosis. Expression of estrogen receptor α, progesterone receptor-AB, the angiogenetic factors, cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer (CYR61), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) and the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -3, -7 and -9 was investigated. Functional impact on angiogenesis was evaluated by density of microvessels and of vessels stabilized by pericytes within the ectopic lesions. Although dydrogesterone significantly reduced proliferation of endometrial stromal cells after 28 days, suppression of apoptosis was independent from progestins. Expression of MMP-2 was significantly reduced by all progestins and MMP-3 by dydrogesterone. In the grafted endometrial tissue, transcription of bFGF was suppressed by progesterone and dihydrodydrogesterone, and VEGFA and CYR61 by dihydrodydrogesterone and dydrogesterone. In parallel, microvessel density was slightly suppressed by progestins, whereas number of stabilized vessels increased. Thus, progestins regulate factors important for the establishment and maintenance of ectopic endometrial lesions.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometrium Endometrium Matrix Metalloproteinases Progestins Animals Apoptosis Apoptosis Caspase 3 Caspase 3 Cell Proliferation Cell Proliferation Cysteine-Rich Protein 61 Cysteine-Rich Protein 61 Dydrogesterone Dydrogesterone Endometrium Female Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Humans

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