Wnt/- Catenin Signaling Pathway Function in Uterine Leiomyoma: Potential for Therapeutic Intervention.
Ibrahim, Maria.
2016
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Abstract: Uterine
leiomyoma, frequently known as fibroid, is a benign smooth muscle tumor that occurs in
women between the ages of 30-55 years old. Uterine leiomyoma is a collection of
hyperplastic uterine smooth muscle, along with endothelial cells, fibroblast, collagen,
and sulfate proteoglycan. The prevalence f uterine leiomyoma is clinically apparent in
up to 25% of women, with nearly 80 ... read more% of black women suffering from this condition.
Symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, along with pelvic pain. Uterine leiomyoma is
also the greatest contributor to infertility in the US. Currently, the mainstream method
of treatment is hysterectomy, which can limit pain and bleeding symptoms, but conversely
results in infertility. Major factors that may contribute to the proliferation of the
leiomyoma are the decrease in the protein CCN5 and the expression of the gene HBP1--both
of which are components of the Wnt signaling pathway, a fundamental pathway in normal
development and in disease. CCN5 is a matricelluar protein, which has a role in cell
proliferation, angiogenesis, and progression of certain cancers. CCN5 is equivalent to
WISP2 (Wnt-Inducible Secreted Protein 2). There is a marked decrease of CCN5 in uterine
leiomyoma as compared to the normal myometrium from the same patient. HBP1, an HMG Box
transcription factor, is a cell cycle inhibitor and a transcriptional repressor of the
Wnt signaling pathway. The chromosomal locus for HBP1 (7q22.3) is deleted in many
fibroid tumors and HBP1 is thus a potential fibroid suppressor gene. Our preliminary
results using qRT-PCR in an analysis of patient matched uterine leiomyoma and myometrium
show a decrease in both the HBP1 and CCN5 mRNAs. Further analyses seek to define the Wnt
signaling mechanisms and are focused on our lab's unique organotypic model of leiomyoma,
in which human fibroid tumors are grown in immune-compromised mice. We plan to
pharmacologically target Wnt signaling and /or CCN5 and HBP1 to potentially suppress
fibroid growth. Such studies are important preludes to discovering new pharmacological
interventions in a disease whose only complete "cure" is full
hysterectomy.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University, 2016.
Submitted to the Dept. of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics.
Advisors: Amy Yee, and John Castellot.
Keyword: Pharmacology.read less - ID:
- mw22vj29g
- Component ID:
- tufts:20383
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- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
