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Systems analysis reveals differential expression of endocervical genes in African women randomised to DMPA-IM, LNG implant or Cu-IUD

ABSTRACT: Some evidence suggests that contraceptive use may influence the female genital tract (FGT) mucosal environment. However, comparative analysis of the effects of the most commonly used hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives on the FGT host gene expression profile have not been evaluated in detail in a randomized clinical trial setting. Among 188 women enrolled in the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial (Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT02550067) between December 2015 and September 2017, we evaluated the effect of three contraceptive methods, injectable intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), levonorgestrel (LNG) implant, and a non-hormonal T-380 copper intrauterine contraceptive device (Cu-IUD), on the endocervical host transcriptome at baseline and after one month of randomized contraceptive use, using RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE190923 | GEO | 2023/09/13

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:The contraceptive effectiveness of intrauterine devices has been attributed in part to effects of a foreign body reaction on the endometrium. We performed this study to identify compare the effects on the endometrial transcriptome of intrauterine devices and combined oral contraceptives, to better understand their mechanisms of action. We collected endometrial and cervical biopsies from women using the levonorgestrel-intrauterine device, copper intrauterine device or levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptives, and from women not using contraceptives (control group). Transcriptional profiling was performed with Affymetrix arrays, Principal Component Analysis and the bioconductor package limma. Pathway analysis was performed using EnrichR and Reactome 2016. In endometrial samples from copper intrauterine device users (n=13), there were no genes with statistically significant differential expression compared to controls (n=11), whereas in levonorgestrel-intrauterine device users (n=11), 2509 genes were significantly dysregulated and mapped onto several immune and inflammatory pathways. In combined oral contraceptive users (n=12), 133 genes were significantly dysregulated and mapped predominantly onto pathways involving regulation of metal ions. Both levonorgestrel-intrauterine device and combined oral contraceptive use were associated with significant downregulation of members of the metallothionein gene family. In cervical samples, none of the groups showed statistically significant differential gene expression compared to controls. In conclusion, hormonal and copper intrauterine devices differ significantly in their effects on the endometrial transcriptome, with endometrium from copper intrauterine device users being indistinguishable from luteal phase endometrium. These results suggest that the contraceptive mechanisms of intrauterine devices are unlikely to rely on a common pathway involving a foreign body reaction in the endometrium.

Project description:Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is an injectable hormonal contraceptive used by millions of women worldwide. However, experimental studies have associated DMPA use with genital epithelial barrier disruption and mucosal influx of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) target cells. We explored the underlying molecular mechanisms of these findings. Ectocervical biopsies and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) specimens were collected from HIV-seronegative Kenyan sex workers using DMPA (n=32) or regularly cycling controls (n=64). Tissue samples were assessed by RNA-sequencing and quantitative imaging analysis, whereas protein levels were measured in CVL samples. The results suggested a DMPA-associated upregulation of genes involved in immune regulation, including genes associated with cytokine-mediated signaling and neutrophil-mediated immunity. A transcription factor analysis further revealed DMPA-associated upregulation of RELA and NFKB1 which are involved in several immune activation pathways. Several genes significantly downregulated in the DMPA versus the control group were involved in epithelial structure and function, including genes encoding keratins, small proline-rich proteins, and cell-cell adhesion proteins. Pathway analyses indicated DMPA use was associated with immune activation and suppression of epithelium development, including keratinization and cornification processes. The cervicovaginal microbiome composition (Lactobacillus dominant and non-Lactobacillus dominant) had no overall interactional impact on the DMPA associated tissue gene expression. Imaging analysis verified that DMPA use was associated with an impaired epithelial layer as illustrated by staining for the selected epithelial junction proteins E-cadherin, desmoglein-1 and claudin-1. Additional staining for CD4+ cells revealed a more superficial location of these cells in the ectocervical epithelium of DMPA users versus controls. Altered protein levels of SERPINB1 and ITIH2 were further observed in the DMPA group. Identification of specific impaired epithelial barrier structures at the gene expression level, which were verified at the functional level by tissue imaging analysis, illustrates mechanisms by which DMPA adversely may affect the integrity of the genital mucosa.