Gene Expression Profile of Uterine Leiomyoma from Women Exposed to Different Air Pollution Levels in Metropolitan Cities of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Leiomyomas (LMs) are the most frequent uterine benign tumors, representing the leading cause of hysterectomy indications worldwide. They are highly associated with women’s reproductive complications, and endocrine disruptors may influence their etiology. In this sense, air pollution represents a relevant hormonal disruptor that acts on key signaling pathways, resulting in tumor development and infertility. Our goal was to evaluate submucosal LM samples from patients living in the metropolitan and Sao Paulo city regions, focusing on genes involved in tumor development and infertility features. Twenty-four patients were selected based on their region of residence and clinical information availability. Several genes were differentially expressed between women living in metropolitan areas and Sao Paulo city. Significant associations were observed between BCL-2, DVL1, FGFR3, and WNT5b downregulation and contraceptive use in the samples from women living in Sao Paulo city. ESR1 and HHAT downregulation was associated with ethnicity. WNT5b and GREM were associated with LM treatment and related pathologies, respectively. In the samples from women living in other cities of the metropolitan region, abortion occurrence was associated with BMP4 upregulation. Although further studies may be necessary, our results showed that air pollution exposure influences the expression of genes related to LM development and female reproductive features.

Evidence-Based Approach for Secondary Prevention of Uterine Fibroids (The ESCAPE Approach)

“…Surprisingly, AHR was significantly overexpressed in uterine and this overexpression was correlated with living in Tehran (capital of Iran), smoking, living near polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon producing companies and eating grilled meat [219]. Air pollution represents a relevant hormonal disruptor that acts on key signaling pathways, resulting in tumor development and infertility [220]. UF Patients had significantly higher levels of total urinary mono-ethylhexyl phthalate (ΣMEHP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), and monoethyl phthalate (MEP) [221].…”

Individual-level air pollutants exposure and pregnancy outcomes in patients who underwent assisted reproductive technology: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study

“…[1][2][3] In practice, it is only during recent years, the reproductive health impacts perturbed by air pollution become a hot research topic in environmental epidemiology. 4,5 The adversely reproductive health effects induced by air pollution can result in lower human fertility, [6][7][8][9] pregnancy loss, 10 preterm birth, 11 fetal growth restriction 12 and stillbirth. 13 Existing evidence regarding relationships between air pollutants exposure and infertility among couples who are attempting to conceive naturally has indicated that pre-gestational or gestational exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with decreased fertility and increased pregnancy loss.…”