Impaired Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Signaling Pathways Disrupt Decidualization in Endometriosis

Overview

Journal Commun Biol

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Feb 24

PMID 38402336

Authors

Zian Liao

Suni Tang

Peixin Jiang

Ting Geng

Dominique I Cope

Timothy N Dunn

Joie Guner

Linda Alpuing Radilla

Xiaoming Guan

Diana Monsivais

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Endometriosis is linked to increased infertility and pregnancy complications due to defective endometrial decidualization. We hypothesized that identification of altered signaling pathways during decidualization could identify the underlying cause of infertility and pregnancy complications. Our study reveals that transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathways are impaired in the endometrium of individuals with endometriosis, leading to defective decidualization. Through detailed transcriptomic analyses, we discovered abnormalities in TGFβ signaling pathways and key regulators, such as SMAD4, in the endometrium of affected individuals. We also observed compromised activity of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), a subset of the TGFβ family, that control endometrial receptivity. Using 3-dimensional models of endometrial stromal and epithelial assembloids, we showed that exogenous BMP2 improved decidual marker expression in individuals with endometriosis. Our findings reveal dysfunction of BMP/SMAD signaling in the endometrium of individuals with endometriosis, explaining decidualization defects and subsequent pregnancy complications in these individuals.

Citing Articles

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A GREB1-steroid receptor feedforward mechanism governs differential GREB1 action in endometrial function and endometriosis.

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