Aberrant endometrial DNA methylome of homeobox A10 and catechol-O-methyltransferase in endometriosis

Ji F, Fei Ji, Yang X, Xinhua Yang, Yan He, He Y, Hui Wang, Wang H, Aixingzi Aili, Aili A, Ding Y, Yan Ding
Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics · 2017 · vol. 34(3) , pp. 409–415 · doi:10.1007/s10815-016-0862-6 · PMID:28074437 · PMC5360687 · W2569805937
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06+body, 2026-06-12 ⓘ

This study analyzed DNA methylation of HOXA10 and COMT in ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues from Chinese women, finding significant differences in their promoter regions between the two tissue types.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 · read from full text ⓘ

This study examined DNA methylation patterns of HOXA10 and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in 120 women with endometriosis from Xinjiang, China, comparing ectopic versus eutopic endometrial tissues using a DNA methylation array followed by pyrosequencing for specific sites. The authors found five differentially methylated CpGs in the COMT promoter region with higher methylation in ectopic endometrium, and two CpGs in the HOXA10 promoter region that were significantly lower (about half) in ectopic tissue. The paper frames this as the first investigation of HOXA10 and COMT methylation together with their linkage to endometriosis in this population, with the main limitation being that the analysis focuses on promoter CpG methylation differences rather than broader functional mechanisms. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it links aberrant ectopic versus eutopic HOXA10 and COMT promoter DNA methylation to endometriosis in Chinese patients.

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Abstract

PurposeDifferential methylation of both HOXA10 and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been reported in different endometrium disorders, and the two genes are linked through the estrogen pathway. The current study investigates the DNA methylation of HOXA10 and COMT in ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues and its correlation with and the occurrence of endometriosis in women from Xinjiang province in China.MethodsIn the current study, 120 patients with endometriosis were recruited from our hospital between January 2011 and June 2014. The DNA methylation sites of HOXA10 and COMT were detected using a DNA methylation array. The methylation levels of specific sites were compared between ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues via pyrosequencing.ResultsFive differentially expressed CpGs were localized in the promoter region of the COMT gene and expressed significantly higher in the ectopic endometrium than the eutopic endometrium (P < 0.001). Two out of the five differentially expressed CpGs in the HOXA10 gene located in the promoter region were both significantly lower (nearly half) in the ectopic endometrium than the eutopic endometrium (P < 0.001).ConclusionsTo summarize, significant differential methylation of HOXA10 and COMT promoter regions was found between the ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues. This is the first study investigating the methylation of HOXA10 and COMT genes and their linkage to endometriosis in Chinese patients.
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Abstract

Purpose Differential methylation of both HOXA10 and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been reported in different endometrium disorders, and the two genes are linked through the estrogen pathway. The current study investigates the DNA methylation of HOXA10 and COMT in ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues and its correlation with and the occurrence of endometriosis in women from Xinjiang province in China.

Methods

In the current study, 120 patients with endometriosis were recruited from our hospital between January 2011 and June 2014. The DNA methylation sites of HOXA10 and COMT were detected using a DNA methylation array. The methylation levels of specific sites were compared between ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues via pyrosequencing.

Results

Five differentially expressed CpGs were localized in the promoter region of the COMT gene and expressed significantly higher in the ectopic endometrium than the eutopic endometrium (P < 0.001). Two out of the five differentially expressed CpGs in the HOXA10 gene located in the promoter region were both significantly lower (nearly half) in the ectopic endometrium than the eutopic endometrium (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

To summarize, significant differential methylation of HOXA10 and COMT promoter regions was found between the ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues. This is the first study investigating the methylation of HOXA10 and COMT genes and their linkage to endometriosis in Chinese patients. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81160077). The funders did not play any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding authors Ethics declarations The study was conducted under the regulation of the research ethics committee of the Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests. Additional information Fei Ji and Xinhua Yang contributed equally to this work. Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Ji, F., Yang, X., He, Y. et al. Aberrant endometrial DNA methylome of homeobox A10 and catechol-O-methyltransferase in endometriosis. J Assist Reprod Genet 34, 409–415 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0862-6 Received: Accepted: Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0862-6

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endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Catechol O-Methyltransferase DNA Methylation Endometriosis Homeodomain Proteins Adult Catechol O-Methyltransferase China DNA Methylation Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Estrogens Estrogens Female Homeobox A10 Proteins Homeodomain Proteins Humans Middle Aged

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