Collagen gel contractility is enhanced in human endometriotic stromal cells: a possible mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated fibrosis

Akitoshi Yuge, Kaei Nasu, Harunobu Matsumoto, Masakazu Nishida, Hisashi Narahara
Human Reproduction · 2007 · vol. 22(4) , pp. 938–944 · doi:10.1093/humrep/del485 · PMID:17204524 · W2111937306
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Human endometriotic stromal cells exhibited enhanced collagen gel contractility compared to normal cells, potentially contributing to endometriosis-associated fibrosis via myofibroblastic differentiation and Rho-ROCK pathway activation.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Excessive fibrosis is frequently associated with endometriosis. To evaluate the involvement of the extracellular matrix contractility of endometriotic stromal cells (ECSCs) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated fibrosis, we compared the collagen gel contractility of cultured ECSCs with that of normal endometrial stromal cells. To clarify the mechanism underlying collagen gel contraction by ECSCs, we also evaluated the effect of (+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride, monohydrate (Y-27632), a selective Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, on the collagen gel contraction by ECSCs. METHODS AND RESULTS: ECSCs showed enhanced collagen gel contractility in comparison with NESCs. Myofibroblastic differentiation and the increased expression of fibronectin, RhoA, ROCK-I and ROCK-II proteins were observed with ECSCs using the 3D culture. Y-27632 significantly inhibited the collagen gel contractility of ECSCs without cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that the enhanced collagen contractility in ECSCs is associated with myofibroblastic differentiation, the increased expression of fibronectin and the activation of the Rho-ROCK-mediated signalling pathway, all of which may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated fibrosis. These results suggest that the inhibition of the Rho-ROCK-mediated signalling pathway may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of this disease. In addition, our experimental system of ECSCs using 3D collagen gel culture would be suitable for evaluating novel treatments for endometriosis.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Collagen Endometriosis Endometrium Fibrosis Stromal Cells Actins Actins Adult Amides Amides Cell Differentiation Collagen Collagen Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Female Fibroblasts

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