Transcriptomic analysis of granulosa cells in patients with endometriosis-related infertility:identification of potential molecular mechanisms

Objective:To investigate the impact of endometriosis(EMS)on granulosa cell function and elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved.Methods:RNA sequencing,differential expression analysis,Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis,gene set enrichment analysis,protein–protein interaction analysis,and RT-qPCR were employed to assess the effects of EMS on granulosa cell function.Results:The results revealed significant differences in gene expression between the EMS and control groups,including genes related to immune regulatory functions and ferroptosis.Hub gene modules and hub genes were identified,including those related to cell cycle and immune and inflammatory pathways.RT-qPCR revealed significant upregulation of the hub genesCCL3 andIL1B in granulosa cells of patients with EMS.Conclusion:The results of RNA sequencing demonstrated that EMS induces significant transcriptional alterations in granulosa cells of affected patients.These findings provide important insights into the diagnosis and treatment of EMS and highlight the importance of further investigation ofCCL3 andIL1B as potential biomarkers for EMS.

Caulis Sargentodoxae Prescription Inhibits Angiogenesis-related Cytokines in a Rat Endometriosis Model

Background:To determine the efficacy of the Caulis Sargentodoxae prescription,which is an empirical formula of Chinese herbs and has definite curative effects on endometriosis.Methods:The Caulis Sargentodoxae prescription on the growth of ectopic endometria was studied with a rat endometriosis(EMS)model.The EMS model was established by autoplastic transplantation.To study the curative effects of Chinese medicine on EMS in comparison with western medicine,gestrinone and an angiogenesis inhibitor were introduced.The rats were randomly divided into seven groups:normal group,model group,ovariectomized group,gestrinone(western medicine)group,Caulis Sargentodoxae prescription(Chinese medicine)group,apatinib(inhibitor)group,and combination(Chinese medicine+inhibitor)group.After administration for 21 days,the growth inhibitory rates of ectopic endometria in the treatment groups were evaluated,and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and VEGF receptor-2(VEGFR2)were detected by ELISA in the serum and peritoneal fluid,as well as in the ectopic endometrial tissues by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.Results:The growth inhibitory rates of ectopic endometria in the treatment groups were significantly higher(P<0.05).In the Caulis Sargentodoxae prescription group,the levels of angiogenesis-related factors,including VEGF and VEGFR2,were reduced in the serum and peritoneal fluid compared with the model group(P<0.05).In addition,the positive expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 in ectopic endometria significantly decreased in the Caulis Sargentodoxae prescription group both at mRNA and protein levels.Conclusions:VEGF and VEGFR2 levels in the serum and peritoneal fluid can be used as a clinical reference for endometriotic pathogenesis and treatment,and the Caulis Sargentodoxae prescription has reliable therapeutic effects on EMS for its target-action ability to decrease angiogenesis.