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Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Mouse Model of Surgically-induced Endometriosis by Auto-transplantation of Uterine Tissue
Published on: January 6, 2012
Retinoic acid has the potential to suppress endometriosis development
Yoshiaki Yamagata1, Eiichi Takaki2, Masahiro Shinagawa3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan. yymgt@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp.
Background:
Despite endometriosis is common estrogen dependent disease afflicting women in reproductive age, the pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Retinoic acid has various functions in cells as biologic modulator, and aberrant retinoid metabolism seems to be involved in the lesions of endometriosis. In order to evaluate the potential of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for therapeutic treatment, a transcriptome analysis and estradiol measurements in cultured endometriotic cells and tissues were conducted.
Methods:
The mRNA expression levels in ATRA-treated endometriotic stromal cells (ESC) isolated from ovarian endometrial cysts (OEC) were investigated. Estradiol production in OEC tissues was also investigated.
Results:
In the isolated ESC culture supplemented with ATRA for four days, total RNA was extracted followed by a transcriptome analysis using GeneChip. Forty-nine genes were upregulated and four genes were down-regulated by the ATRA treatment. Many upregulated genes were associated with the negative regulation of cellular proliferation. In addition, ATRA treatment decreased the mRNA expression of 17-beta-dehydrogenase 2 (HSD17B2) which converts estradiol into estrone in a dose-dependent manner, and the ELISA measurements indicated that estradiol production in the OEC tissue was inhibited by ATRA treatment.
Conclusions:
Retinoic acid has the potential to suppress endometriosis development.
Insights
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) may suppress endometriosis by regulating gene expression and reducing estradiol production in endometriotic cells. This finding suggests ATRA as a potential therapeutic agent for this estrogen-dependent disease.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a common estrogen-dependent disease with unclear pathogenesis.
- Aberrant retinoid metabolism is implicated in endometriosis lesions.
- All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) modulates cellular functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of ATRA for endometriosis.
- To investigate ATRA's effects on gene expression and estradiol production in endometriotic cells and tissues.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome analysis of ATRA-treated endometriotic stromal cells (ESC).
- Measurement of mRNA expression levels in ESC.
- Estradiol production assays in ovarian endometrial cyst (OEC) tissues.
Main Results:
- ATRA upregulated 49 genes and downregulated 4 genes in ESC, with many upregulated genes involved in negative regulation of cellular proliferation.
- ATRA decreased 17-beta-dehydrogenase 2 (HSD17B2) mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner.
- ATRA treatment inhibited estradiol production in OEC tissues.
Conclusions:
- Retinoic acid demonstrates potential in suppressing endometriosis development.
- ATRA may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for endometriosis by targeting estrogen pathways and cell proliferation.
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