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Spatial transcriptomic analysis identifies epithelium-macrophage crosstalk in endometriotic lesions
Gregory W Burns1, Zhen Fu2, Erin L Vegter1
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
Iscience
|February 12, 2025
Summary
Endometriosis lesions show surprising similarities to normal endometrium. The lesion epithelium drives inflammation by signaling with macrophages, potentially involving complement 3 in disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cellular and molecular pathology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Endometriosis pathophysiology remains poorly understood.
- Characterized by endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus.
- Requires investigation into cell-specific gene expression and cellular crosstalk.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify cell type-specific gene expression in endometriotic lesions.
- Elucidate crosstalk between stroma, epithelium, and macrophages.
- Compare superficial peritoneal lesions to patient-matched eutopic endometrium.
Main Methods:
- Spatial transcriptomics of endometriotic lesions and eutopic endometrium.
- Comparative analysis of gene expression profiles.
- Investigation of intercellular signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Superficial endometriotic lesions exhibit significant transcriptional similarities to eutopic endometrium.
- Minimal alterations observed in the sub-epithelial stroma and epithelium of lesions.
- Increased signaling identified between lesion epithelium and macrophages, driving inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Endometriotic lesion epithelium plays a key role in orchestrating inflammatory signaling.
- Epithelium promotes a pro-repair phenotype in macrophages.
- Complement 3 identified as a potential factor in endometriosis pathobiology, highlighting spatial context and cellular interactions.
