RNA sequencing reveals novel molecular mechanisms of endometriosis lesion development in a mouse model

ABSTRACT Understanding of molecular mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology of endometriosis, and upstream drivers of lesion formation, remains limited. Using a C57Bl/6 mouse model in which decidualized endometrial tissue is injected subcutaneously in the abdomen of recipient mice, we generated a comprehensive profile of gene expression in decidualized endometrial tissue (n=4), and in endometriosis-like lesions at Day 7 (n=4) and Day 14 (n=4) of formation. High-throughput mRNA sequencing allowed identification of genes and pathways involved in the initiation and progression of endometriosis-like lesions. We observed distinct patterns of gene expression with substantial differences between the lesions and the decidualized endometrium that remained stable across the two lesion timepoints, and showed similarity to transcriptional changes implicated in human endometriosis lesion formation. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed several immune and inflammatory response-associated canonical pathways, multiple potential upstream regulators, and involvement of genes not previously implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis, including IRF2BP2 and ZBTB10, suggesting novel roles in disease progression. Collectively, the provided data will be a useful resource to inform research on the molecular mechanisms contributing to endometriosis-like lesion development in this mouse model.