NR4A1 is Involved in Fibrogenesis in Ovarian Endometriosis

• Main Authors: Xinliu Zeng, Zhang Yue, Ying Gao, Guosong Jiang, Fuqing Zeng, Ying Shao, Jiayu Huang, Minuo Yin, Yajie Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG 2018-04-01
• Series: Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
• Subjects: Endometriosis; Endometrial stromal cells; Fibrosis; TGF-β1/NR4A1; Phosphorylation; Csn-B
• Online Access: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/488838
• ISSN: 1015-8987; 1421-9778

Background/Aims: Excess fibrosis may lead to chronic pain, scarring, and infertility as endometriosis develops and progresses. The pathogenesis of endometriosis has been linked to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), the most potent promoter of fibrosis. Methods: Levels of NR4A1 and P-NR4A1 protein in human endometrial and endometriotic tissue were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of fibrotic markers in stromal cells were evaluated by real-time PCR. The degree of fibrosis in mouse endometriotic lesions was detected by Masson trichrome and Sirius red staining. Results: The level of phosphorylated-NR4A1 was higher in ovarian endometriotic tissue than in normal endometrium, and long-term TGF-β1 stimulation phosphorylated NR4A1 in an AKT-dependent manner and then promoted the expression of fibrotic markers. Furthermore, inhibition of NR4A1 in stromal cells increased the TGF-β1-dependent elevated expression of fibrotic markers, and loss of NR4A1 stimulated fibrogenesis in mice with endometriosis. Additionally, Cytosporone B (Csn-B), an NR4A1 agonist, effectively decreased the TGF-β1-dependent elevated expression of fibrotic markers in vitro and significantly inhibited fibrogenesis in vivo. Conclusion: NR4A1 can regulate fibrosis in endometriosis and may serve as a new target for the treatment of endometriosis.