Expression of the pluripotent transcription factor OCT4 promotes cell migration in endometriosis

Chang JH, Jui-Hung Chang, Au HK, Heng‐Kien Au, Heng-Kien Au, Lee WC, Wei-Chin Lee, Ching‐Chi Chi, Ching-Chi Chi, Thai-Yen Ling, Thai‐Yen Ling, Le-Ming Wang, Wang LM, Shu-Huei Kao, Shu‐Huei Kao, Yen‐Hua Huang, Yen-Hua Huang, Chii-Ruey Tzeng, Chii‐Ruey Tzeng, Tzeng CR
Fertility and sterility · 2013 · vol. 99(5) , pp. 1332–1339.e5 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.11.033 · PMID:23290742 · W1981831410
article OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 38 in-corpus citations
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This paper investigated how the pluripotent transcription factor OCT4 affects cell migration in endometriosis, finding that its expression promotes this cellular process.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify the impact of the pluripotent transcription factor OCT4 in endometrial cell migration and endometriosis.DesignThe OCT4 expression and cell migration study.SettingResearch institution and reproductive medical clinic.Patient(s)Nine subjects with normal endometrium, 3 subjects with normal myometrium, 36 patients with hyperplastic endometrium, and 58 patients with endometriosis.Intervention(s)The expression of OCT4 messenger RNA in normal endometrium, normal myometrium, hyperplastic endometrium, and ectopic endometriotic tissues was analyzed using reverse transcription and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The effect of OCT4 expression on the migration activity of the endometrial cells was examined.Main outcome measure(s)Reverse transcription and quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and wound closure and transwell assays.Result(s)The expression of OCT4 and NANOG messenger RNA was significantly higher in ectopic endometriotic tissues, compared with that of the normal endometrium, the normal myometrium, and the hyperplastic endometrium. The level of OCT4 messenger RNA in endometriotic tissues was positively correlated with the expression of genes associated with cell migration. Overexpression of the OCT4 protein in primary human endometriotic stromal cells and human RL95-2 and HEC1A endometrial carcinoma cell lines resulted in decreased levels of E-CADHERIN, the increased expression of the VIMENTIN, TWIST, and SLUG proteins, and an increase in the migration activity of endometrial cells in transwell and wound closure assays.Conclusion(s)The transcription of the OCT4 gene is significantly up-regulated in human ectopic endometriotic tissues. The expression of OCT4 may contribute to the pathology of ectopic endometrial growth by stimulating the migration activity of endometrial cells.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Cell Movement Endometriosis Endometriosis Octamer Transcription Factor-3 Octamer Transcription Factor-3 Adult Cell Movement Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Middle Aged Myometrium Myometrium Myometrium Octamer Transcription Factor-3 Primary Cell Culture RNA, Messenger

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