miR-193b-5p and miR-374b-5p are aberrantly expressed in endometriosis and suppress endometrial cell migration in vitro

Endometriosis is a highly prevalent gynecological disease affecting 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. miRNAs may play a role in endometriosis, though their exact function remains unclear. Here, we identified differentially expressed miRNAs in endometriosis and studied their functional role in the disease. (2) Methods: Endometrial tissue was collected from women with endometriosis (n=15) and non-endometriosis controls (n=17). Dysregulated miRNAs were identified through small RNA-sequencing, and their biological significance was explored by target gene prediction and pathway analysis. Selected miRNAs were examined in paired ectopic endometriomas and eutopic endometrium (n=10) using qRT-PCR. Their roles in cell migration and proliferation were further examined in vitro using functional assays. To identify potential target genes, we performed mRNA sequencing on transfected cells and the endometrioma cohort. (3) Results: We identified 14 dysregulated miRNAs in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis compared to endometrial tissue from women without endometriosis. Pathway analysis indicated enrichment in cell migration and proliferation associated pathways. Further ex-vivo studies of miR-193b-5p and miR-374b-5p showed that both miRNAs were up-regulated in endometriomas. Overexpression of these two miRNAs in vitro inhibited cell migration and mRNA sequencing revealed several migration-related genes that are targeted by these miRNAs. (4) Conclusions: Our study identified two key endometrial miRNAs that may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by regulating cell migration.