Activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inactivation in the mouse uterus results in metastatic endometrial carcinoma.

TitleActivin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inactivation in the mouse uterus results in metastatic endometrial carcinoma.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsMonsivais, D, Peng, J, Kang, Y, Matzuk, MM
JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume116
Issue9
Pagination3883-3892
Date Published2019 Feb 26
ISSN1091-6490
KeywordsAdenocarcinoma, Animals, Carcinogenesis, Disease Models, Animal, Endometrial Neoplasms, Endometrium, Female, Humans, Lung Neoplasms, Mice, Neoplasm Metastasis, Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I, Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II, Signal Transduction, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Uterus
Abstract

<p>The endometrial lining of the uterine cavity is a highly dynamic tissue that is under the continuous control of the ovarian steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Endometrial adenocarcinoma arises from the uncontrolled growth of the endometrial glands, which is typically associated with unopposed estrogen action and frequently occurs in older postmenopausal women. The incidence of endometrial cancer among younger women has been rising due to increasing rates of obesity, a major risk factor for the disease. The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family is a highly conserved group of proteins with roles in cellular differentiation, proliferation, and cancer. Inactivating mutations in the genes encoding the TGFβ cell surface receptors ( and ) have been detected in various human cancers, indicating that a functional TGFβ signaling pathway is required for evading tumorigenesis. In this study, we present a mouse model with conditional inactivation of activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) in the mouse uterus using progesterone receptor cre (" cKO") that develops endometrial adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the lungs. The cancer and metastatic lung nodules are estrogen dependent and retain estrogen receptor α (ERα) reactivity, but have decreased levels of progesterone receptor (PR) protein. The endometrial tumors develop only in cKO mice that are mated to fertile males, indicating that TGFβ-mediated postpartum endometrial repair is critical for endometrial function. Overall, these studies indicate that TGFβ signaling through TGFBR1/ALK5 in the endometrium is required for endometrial homeostasis, tumor suppression, and postpartum endometrial regeneration.</p>

DOI10.1073/pnas.1806838116
Alternate JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
PubMed ID30655341
PubMed Central IDPMC6397539
Grant ListK12 GM084897 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 HD033438 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
K99 HD096057 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA212410 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
UM1 HG006348 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
R01 DK114356 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R01 HD032067 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States