MicroRNA Activation of LOX-1 Mechanisms in Endometriosis

Epidemiologic data demonstrate a clear association between endometriosis, reproductive risk factors, inflammation and cardiovascular (CV) risk. Circulating factors, Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL), are two of many biomarkers of cardiovascular and inflammatory disease of endometriosis. An important signaling mechanism through which circulating LDL and oxLDL act is the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1). LOX-1 signal transduction functionally results in pronounced endothelial dysfunction, a hallmark of CV. We hypothesis that one factor mediating the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in endometriosis is microRNA (miRNA) activation of LOX-1 receptor mechanisms. Specific Aim 1. To test the hypothesis that LOX-1 receptor activation is increased leading to endothelial dysfunction in endometriosis. Specific Aim 2. To test the hypothesis that decreased microRNAs (i.e. let7-a, let7-b, let7-g, MiR98, Mi590-p) are driving increased LOX-1 receptor expression and function in endometriosis.