The disordered extracellular matrix landscape induced endometrial fibrosis of sheep: A multi-omics integrative analysis

Abstract

Endometrial fibrosis leads to the destruction of endometrial function and affects reproductive performance. However, mechanisms underlying the development of endometrial fibrosis in sheep remain unclear. We use transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies to reveal the formation mechanisms of endometrial fibrosis. The results showed that the fibrotic endometrial tissue phenotype presented fewer glands, accompanied by collagen deposition. Transcriptomic results indicated alterations in genes associated with the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix components, which alter metabolite homeostasis, especially in glycerophospholipid metabolism. Moreover, differentially expressed metabolites may play regulatory roles in key metabolic processes during fibrogenesis, including protein digestion and absorption, and amino acid synthesis. Affected by the aberrant genes, protein levels related to the extracellular matrix components were altered. In addition, based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis of differentially expressed genes, metabolites and proteins, amino acid biosynthesis, glutathione, glycerophospholipid, arginine and proline metabolism, and cell adhesion are closely associated with fibrogenesis. Finally, we analyzed the dynamic changes in serum differential metabolites at different time points during fibrosis. Taken together, fibrosis development is related to metabolic obstacles in extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation triggered by disturbed gene and protein levels.

Keywords: Endometrial fibrosis; Extracellular matrix; Multi-omics.