Changes in cell migration and aromatase expression in human endometrial stromal cells induced by organochlorine pesticide Hexachlorobenzene

CHIAPPINI F; CEBALLOS; PONTILLO CA ; MIRET N; FARINA MG ; RANDI A

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXI Reunión Científica Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2016

Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent gynecologic disease with lasting implications for many women's fertility, and overall quality of life. Exposure to organochlorines can interfere with both hormonal regulation and immune function to promote endometriosis. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a pesticide that induces toxic reproductive effects in laboratory animals. Aromatase activity is increased in eutopic and ectopic endometrial of women with endometriosis. Aromatase expression in endometriosis cells is induced via cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) pathway. Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is the major mediator of estrogenic effects on stimulation of proliferation and induction of progesterone receptor (PR) expression. PRA and PRB serve an anti-inflammatory role in the uterus by antagonizing COX-2 expression. Degradation of extracellular matrix by metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a basic step in the migration and invasiveness in endometriosis. Recently, we demonstrated that HCB enhances COX-2 expression, MMP2 and 9 activation and PGE2 secretion in human endometrial stromal cells. The present study examined the HCB effect in human endometrial stromal cell line T-HESC on cell migration (scratch motility assay), aromatase expression (WB), and ERα and PRA protein levels (WB). T-HESC cells were exposed to HCB (0.005, 0.05, 0.5 and 5 μM) or vehicle for 24 h. Results showed that the pesticide increased the cell migration ratio (47%, p