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News — Circulating microRNAs implicated in endometriosis regulate hepatic gene expression, according to a  published in F&S Science. The results help explain metabolic defects associated with endometriosis.

"Endometriosis is a common and debilitating disease," said  chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine and senior author of the study.  "Our group has demonstrated that there are many systemic effects of the disease outside of the pelvis.  Endometriosis patients on average have a lower BMI, and we have previously shown that endometriosis alters metabolism, including effects on adipose and liver."

Prior studies had showed differential expression of microRNAs miR-Let-7b, miR-125b-5p, miR-150-5p, and miR-3613-5p in women with endometriosis. The Yale team performed a computer analysis which revealed predictive bindings sites for these RNAs in multiple genes involved in liver metabolism.

In the lab, researchers found the circulating endometriosis-associated microRNAs altered multiple genes of the liver. “The liver is one of the key regulators of metabolism, and the affected genes are known to play an essential role in this process,” Taylor said.  “The changes seen in these genes correlates with the lower weigh and BMI seen in women with endometriosis.”  The study is the first to explain the molecular mechanism behind the lower BMI seen in endometriosis patients.

“These microRNAs, known to be aberrant in endometriosis, play a significant role in regulating hepatic expression and may help explain the dysfunction of liver metabolism that we commonly see in endometriosis,” said , PhD, a research scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and first author of the study. "These small RNA molecules can travel through the circulation and effect the liver," Taylor added. "Knowing the mechanism by which endometriosis alters metabolism open a door to potential treatments by modifying the microRNA signals."

Other study authors included Rebecca Slutzky, Anjali Mangala, and