In this new program project, we will utilize comprehensive global genomic approaches (RNA sequencing [RNA-seq], global run-on sequencing [GRO-seq], and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing [ChIP-seq]) to understand the biological mechanisms for term and preterm birth. This application is timely, because of the huge advances in genomic technologies combined with cutting-edge computational tools, which have dramatically advanced our understanding of signal-regulated gene transcription in a wide variety of biological systems. The global views generated by these assays provide a uniquely informative biological perspective that cannot be achieved by analyzing one or even a few genes at a time. We propose to utilize these state-of-the-art techniques to develop an in-depth understanding of the genomic and epigenomic mechanisms that underlie the regulation of myometrial quiescence-contractility, cervical competency-dilation, and that maintain barrier function of the cervix to protect the pregnancy against invading microorganisms and prevent prematurity. The P01 includes four interrelated projects: Project 1: Epigenetic Regulation of Myometrial Contractility in Pregnancy and Labor (Carole R. Mendelson); Project 2: Functional Roles of Estrogen Receptor ? Acetylation in the Uterus (W. Lee Kraus); Project 3: Genomic Consequences of Estrogen Receptor Activation in the Cervix (R. Ann Word); Project 4: Mechanisms of Cervical Epithelial Barrier Protection Against Ascending Infection and Preterm Birth (Mala S. Mahendroo), supported by three cores: Administrative Core (Mendelson); Genomics and Computational Core (Kraus); Human Tissue and Biological Fluid Acquisition Laboratory Core (Word). The goals of these projects are: Project 1 - to define the genes and mechanisms that underlie the actions of progesterone (P4), via progesterone receptor isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, on inflammatory and `contractile' gene expression, and to characterize the chromatin modifications that mediate myometrial quiescence and accompany enhanced contractile gene expression leading to term and preterm labor; Project 2 - to achieve a better understanding of the biology of estrogen signaling through estrogen receptor ? (ER?) in the female reproductive tract during pregnancy and parturition by elucidating the role of ER? acetylation in the function of the uterus and cervix of pregnant females and the molecular mechanisms by which ER? acetylation controls ER?-dependent gene regulation in these tissues; Project 3 - to understand the mechanisms by which PRs and ERs interact to alter gene expression, gestational length, and structural integrity of the cervix during pregnancy, cervical ripening and parturition, and; Project 4 ? to utilize genomic, cell biological and biochemical approaches to advance our understanding of the mechanisms by which hyaluronan (HA) provides immune- protection and epithelial barrier function in the pregnant cervix, as well as the molecular mechanisms whereby HA synthase 2 is regulated. We propose that these interrelated projects, carried out by a highly interactive research team, will achieve our long-range goal of reducing the incidence of preterm birth.

Public Health Relevance

In this new P01 application, comprised of four interrelated projects and three cores, we propose to utilize state- of-the-art, next generation sequencing technologies to develop an in-depth understanding of the genomic and epigenomic mechanisms that underlie the biology of myometrial quiescence-contractility, cervical competency- dilation, as well as those that maintain barrier function of the cervix to protect the pregnancy against invading microorganisms. This research program, carried out by a highly interactive research team, will achieve our long-range goal of reducing the incidence of preterm birth and its consequences.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01HD087150-04
Application #
9830660
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1)
Program Officer
Ilekis, John V
Project Start
2016-12-15
Project End
2021-11-30
Budget Start
2019-12-01
Budget End
2020-11-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Sw Medical Center Dallas
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Dallas
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75390
Mahendroo, Mala (2018) Cervical hyaluronan biology in pregnancy, parturition and preterm birth. Matrix Biol :
Mogami, Haruta; Kishore, Annavarapu Hari; Word, R Ann (2018) Collagen Type 1 Accelerates Healing of Ruptured Fetal Membranes. Sci Rep 8:696
Itoh, Hiroko; Mogami, Haruta; Bou Nemer, Laurice et al. (2018) Endometrial stromal cell attachment and matrix homeostasis in abdominal wall endometriomas. Hum Reprod 33:280-291
Willcockson, Alexandra R; Nandu, Tulip; Liu, Cheuk-Lun et al. (2018) Transcriptome signature identifies distinct cervical pathways induced in lipopolysaccharide-mediated preterm birth. Biol Reprod 98:408-421
Manders, Dustin B; Kishore, Hari Annavarapu; Gazdar, Adi F et al. (2018) Dysregulation of fibulin-5 and matrix metalloproteases in epithelial ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 9:14251-14267
Babayev, Samir N; Kanchwala, Mohammed; Xing, Chao et al. (2018) Thrombin Alters Human Endometrial Stromal Cell Differentiation During Decidualization. Reprod Sci :1933719118768705
Mendelson, Carole R; Montalbano, Alina P; Gao, Lu (2017) Fetal-to-maternal signaling in the timing of birth. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 170:19-27
Kishore, Annavarapu Hari; Liang, Hanquan; Kanchwala, Mohammed et al. (2017) Prostaglandin dehydrogenase is a target for successful induction of cervical ripening. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:E6427-E6436
Babayev, Samir N; Park, Chan Woo; Keller, Patrick W et al. (2017) Androgens Upregulate Endometrial Epithelial Progesterone Receptor Expression: Potential Implications for Endometriosis. Reprod Sci 24:1454-1461
Chen, Chien-Cheng; Montalbano, Alina P; Hussain, Imran et al. (2017) The transcriptional repressor GATAD2B mediates progesterone receptor suppression of myometrial contractile gene expression. J Biol Chem 292:12560-12576

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