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Endometriosis, endocrine disrupters, and epigenetics: an investigation into the complex interplay in women with polybrominated biphenyl exposure and endometriosis

  • Reproductive Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have been shown to affect multiple biologic processes especially steroid-hormone processes. We sought to determine differences in DNA methylation exists between women with and without endometriosis following exposure to polybrominated biphenyl (PBB).

Methods

Cross-sectional study of 305 females in the Michigan PBB Registry. DNA was extracted, and DNA methylation was interrogated using the MethylationEPIC BeadChip (Illumina, San Diego, California). Demographic data was analyzed using Chi-squared and T tests. Linear regressions were performed for each cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) site, modeling the logit transformation of the β value as a linear function of the presence of endometriosis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted controlling for estradiol levels and menopausal status. Replication study performed evaluating for any association between CpGs reported in the literature and our findings.

Results

In total, 39,877 CpGs nominally associated with endometriosis (p < 0.05) after adjusting for age and cellular heterogeneity, although none remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons (FDR < 0.05). Pathway analysis of these CpGs showed enrichment in 68 biologic pathways involved in various endocrine, immunologic, oncologic, and cell regulation processes as well as embryologic reproductive tract development and function (FoxO, Wnt, and Hedgehog signaling). We identified 42,261 CpG sites in the literature reported to be associated with endometriosis; 2012 of these CpG sites were also significant in our cohort.

Conclusion

We found 39,877 CpG sites that nominally associated with endometriosis (p < 0.05) after adjusting for age and cellular heterogeneity; however, none remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons (FDR < 0.05).

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Funding

This project was financed by the following grants: National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (5RO1ES024790, 5RO1ES025775, R24ES028528, 5P30ES019776) and the National Institute of General Medicine Sciences (T32GM008490).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Sabrina A. Gerkowicz & Jessica B. Spencer

  2. Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Sarah W. Curtis & Karen N. Conneely

  3. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Suite 4217, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Anna K. Knight, Dawayland O. Cobb & Alica K. Smith

  4. Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Metrecia L. Terrell & Michele Marcus

  5. Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Michele Marcus

  6. Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Michele Marcus

  7. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Suite 4217, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Alica K. Smith

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  1. Sabrina A. Gerkowicz
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Gerkowicz, S.A., Curtis, S.W., Knight, A.K. et al. Endometriosis, endocrine disrupters, and epigenetics: an investigation into the complex interplay in women with polybrominated biphenyl exposure and endometriosis. J Assist Reprod Genet 37, 427–436 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-01695-9

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