Reduced expression and concomitant promoter hypermethylation of HOXA10 in endometrium from women wearing intrauterine devices.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether prolonged intrauterine device (IUD) usage is associated with decreased HOXA10 expression and increased methylation in the endometrium.


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
Women wearing IUDs and not wearing IUDs.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry of HOXA10 and methylation-specific PCR.


METHODS
Endometrial HOXA10 expression levels and methylation frequency.


RESULTS
The IUD usage was associated with decreased endometrial HOXA10 expression, concordant with higher frequency of HOXA10 promoter hypermethylation. The HOXA10 hypermethylation was associated with the duration of IUD usage, irrespective age, gravidity, parity, and IUD type.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged IUD use may induce endometrial HOXA10 hypermethylation and reduced expression. These results suggest a possible novel mode of action for IUD, a possibility to rectify the aberrant methylation through pharmacologic means, and a possible noninvasive way for detection of aberrant methylation at HOXA10.
Lu
Yuan
Y
Department of Gynecology, Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Nie
Jichan
J
Liu
Xishi
X
Guo
Sun-Wei
SW
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D000080905:Homeobox A10 Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008745:Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D000080905:Homeobox A10 Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C069634:HOXA10 protein, human