Distinct molecular targets of ProEGCG from EGCG and superior inhibition of angiogenesis signaling pathways for treatment of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological disease with endometrial cell implantation outside the uterus.Angiogenesis is a major pathophysiology in endometriosis.Our previous studies have demonstrated that the prodrug of epigallocatechin gallate(ProEGCG)exhibits superior anti-endometriotic and anti-angiogenic effects compared to epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG).However,their direct binding targets and underlying mechanisms for the differential effects remain unknown.In this study,we demonstrated that oral ProEGCG can be effective in preventing and treating endometriosis.Additionally,1D and 2D Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration assay-based chemical proteomics identified metadherin(MTDH)and PX domain containing serine/threonine kinase-like(PXK)as novel binding targets of EGCG and ProEGCG,respectively.Computational simulation and BioLayer interferometry were used to confirm their binding affinity.Our results showed that MTDH-EGCG inhibited protein kinase B(Akt)-mediated angiogenesis,while PXK-ProEGCG inhibited epidermal growth factor(EGF)-mediated angiogenesis via the EGF/hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF-1a)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.In vitro and in vivo knockdown assays and microvascular network imaging further confirmed the involvement of these signaling pathways.Moreover,our study demonstrated that ProEGCG has superior therapeutic effects than EGCG by targeting distinct signal transduction pathways and may act as a novel antiangiogenic therapy for endometriosis.

Unique anti-angiogenic effects,pharmacological targets and therapeutic mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicines for endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common and benign angiogenesisdependent gynecological disorder,which refers to the proliferation and growth of endometrium-like tissues with neovasculature formation outside of the uterus.1 Available medical treatments for endometriosis containing hormonal and non-hormonal treatments had been limited for longterm usage by their side effects.2 Ideal medical treatment for endometriosis with efficacy to relieve symptoms and suppress endometriotic lesion growth and minimal side effects has been longing for decades.3 Angiogenesis is a promising therapeutic target for endometriosis.

Investigation of the genetic etiology in male infertility with apparently balanced chromosomal structural rearrangements by genome sequencing

Apparently balanced chromosomal structural rearrangements are known to cause male infertility and account for approximately 1%of azoospermia or severe oligospermia.However,the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis and etiologies are still largely unknown.Herein,we investigated apparently balanced interchromosomal structural rearrangements in six cases with azoospermia/severe oligospermia to comprehensively identify and delineate cryptic structural rearrangements and the related copy number variants.In addition,high read-depth genome sequencing(GS)(30-fold)was performed to investigate point mutations causative of male infertility.Mate-pair GS(4-fold)revealed additional structural rearrangements and/or copy number changes in 5 of 6 cases and detected a total of 48 rearrangements.Overall,the breakpoints caused truncations of 30 RefSeq genes,five of which were associated with spermatogenesis.Furthermore,the breakpoints disrupted 43 topological-associated domains.Direct disruptions or potential dysregulations of genes,which play potential roles in male germ cell development,apoptosis,and spermatogenesis,were found in all cases(n=6).In addition,high read-depth GS detected dual molecular findings in case MI6,involving a complex rearrangement and two point mutations in the gene DNAH1.Overall,our study provided the molecular characteristics of apparently balanced interchromosomal structural rearrangements in patients with male infertility.We demonstrated the complexity of chromosomal structural rearrangements,potential gene disruptions/dysregulation and single-gene mutations could be the contributing mechanisms underlie male infertility.