Estradiol promotes cells invasion by activating β-catenin signaling pathway in endometriosis

Wenqian Xiong, Ling Zhang, Lan Yu, Wei Xie, Yicun Man, Yao Xiong, Hengwei Liu, Yi Liu
Reproduction (Cambridge, England) · 2015 · vol. 150(6) , pp. 507–516 · doi:10.1530/rep-15-0371 · PMID:26432349 · W2180969208
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Abstract

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that involves the adhesion, invasion, and angiogenesis of endometrial tissues outside of the uterine cavity. We hypothesized that a link exists between estrogen and beta-catenin (β-catenin) signaling in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were separated from eutopic endometrial tissues that were obtained from patients with endometriosis. β-catenin expression and cells invasiveness ability were up-regulated by 17β-estradiol (E2) in an estrogen receptor (ESR)-dependent manner, whereas β-catenin siRNA abrogated this phenomenon. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation and dual immunofluorescence studies confirmed ESR1, β-catenin, and lymphoid enhancer factor 1/T cell factor 3 co-localization in the nucleus in HESCs after E2 treatment. To determine the role of β-catenin signaling in the implantation of ectopic endometrium, we xenotransplanted eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients into ovariectomized severe combined immunodeficiency mice. The implantation of the endometrium was suppressed by β-catenin siRNA. Collectively, studies regarding β-catenin signaling are critical for improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of estrogen-induced endometriosis, which can translate into the development of treatments and therapeutic strategies for endometriosis.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

beta Catenin Cell Movement Endometriosis Endometrium Estradiol Signal Transduction Stromal Cells Animals Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins beta Catenin beta Catenin Cell Movement Cells, Cultured Disease Models, Animal Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium

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