KLF10 Mediated Epigenetic Dysregulation of Epithelial CD40/CD154 Promotes Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a highly prevalent, chronic, heterogeneous, fibro-inflammatory disease that remains recalcitrant to conventional therapy. We previously showed that loss of KLF11, a transcription factor implicated in uterine disease, results in progression of endometriosis. Despite extensive homology, co-expression, and human disease association, loss of the paralog Klf10 causes a unique inflammatory, cystic endometriosis phenotype in contrast to fibrotic progression seen with loss of Klf11. We identify here for the first time a novel role for KLF10 in endometriosis. In an animal endometriosis model, unlike wild-type controls, Klf10(-/-) animals developed cystic lesions with massive immune infiltrate and minimal peri-lesional fibrosis. The Klf10(-/-) disease progression phenotype also contrasted with prolific fibrosis and minimal immune cell infiltration seen in Klf11(-/-) animals. We further found that lesion genotype rather than that of the host determined each unique disease progression phenotype. Mechanistically, KLF10 regulated CD40/CD154-mediated immune pathways. Both inflammatory as well as fibrotic phenotypes are the commonest clinical manifestations in chronic fibro-inflammatory diseases such as endometriosis. The complementary, paralogous Klf10 and Klf11 models therefore offer novel insights into the mechanisms of inflammation and fibrosis in a disease-relevant context. Our data suggests that divergence in underlying gene dysregulation critically determines disease-phenotype predominance rather than the conventional paradigm of inflammation being precedent to fibrotic scarring. Heterogeneity in clinical progression and treatment response are thus likely from disparate gene regulation profiles. Characterization of disease phenotype-associated gene dysregulation offers novel approaches for developing targeted, individualized therapy for recurrent and recalcitrant chronic disease.

Pattern-based classification of invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma, depth of invasion measurement and distinction from adenocarcinoma in situ: interobserver variation among gynecologic pathologists.

A pattern-based classification for invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma has been proposed as predictive of the risk of nodal metastases. We aimed to determine the reproducibility of such classification in the context of common diagnostic challenges: distinction between in situ and invasive adenocarcinoma and depth of invasion measurement. Nine gynecologic pathologists independently reviewed 96 cases of endocervical adenocarcinoma (two slides per case). They diagnosed each case as in situ or invasive carcinoma classifying the latter following the pattern-based classification as pattern A (non-destructive), B (focally destructive) or C (diffusely destructive). Depth of invasion, when applicable, was measured (mm). Overall, diagnostic reproducibility of pattern diagnosis was good (κ=0.65). Perfect agreement (9/9 reviewers) was seen in only 11 cases (11%), all destructively invasive (10 pattern C and 1 pattern B). In all, ≥5/9 reviewer concordance was achieved in 82/96 cases (85%). Distinction between in situ and invasive carcinoma, regardless of the pattern, showed only slight agreement (κ=0.37). Likewise, distinction restricted to in situ versus pattern A was poor (κ=0.23). Distinction between non-destructive (in situ+pattern A) and destructive (patterns B+C) carcinoma showed significantly higher agreement (κ=0.62). Estimation of depth of invasion showed excellent reproducibility (ICC=0.82). However, different measurements resulting in differing FIGO stages were common (from at least 1 reviewer in 79% cases). On the basis of interobserver agreement, the pattern-based classification is best at diagnosing destructive invasion, which carries a risk for nodal metastases. Agreement in diagnosing in situ versus invasive carcinoma, including pattern A, was poor. Given the nil risk of nodal spread in in situ and pattern A lesions, the term 'endocervical adenocarcinoma with non-destructive growth' can be considered when the distinction is difficult, after excluding destructive invasion. Depth of invasion measurement was highly reproducible among pathologists; thus, the pattern-based approach can complement, but should not replace, the depth of invasion metric.

Genital soft tissue tumors.

Mesenchymal neoplasms of the vulvovaginal and inguinoscrotal regions are among the most diagnostically challenging specimens in the pathology laboratory owing largely to their unique intersection between general soft tissue tumors and relatively genital-specific mesenchymal tumors. Genital stromal tumors are a unique subset of soft tissue tumors encountered at this location, and this group includes fibroepithelial stromal polyp, superficial (cervicovaginal) myofibroblastoma, cellular angiofibroma, mammary-type myofibroblastoma, angiomyofibroblastoma and aggressive angiomyxoma. Aside from the striking morphologic and immunophenotypic similarity that is seen with these entities, there is evidence that a subset of genital stromal tumors may be linked genetically. This review will focus on simplifying this group of tumors and provide the pathologist or dermatopathologist with practical management information. Smooth muscle tumors of the external genitalia will also be discussed.

Molecular characterization of mucinous ovarian tumours supports a stratified treatment approach with HER2 targeting in 19% of carcinomas.

Mucinous ovarian carcinomas (MCs) typically do not respond to current conventional therapy. We have previously demonstrated amplification of HER2 in 6 of 33 (18.2%) mucinous ovarian carcinomas (MCs) and presented anecdotal evidence of response with HER2-targeted treatment in a small series of women with recurrent HER2-amplified (HER2+) MC. Here, we explore HER2 amplification and KRAS mutation status in an independent cohort of 189 MCs and 199 mucinous borderline ovarian tumours (MBOTs) and their association to clinicopathological features. HER2 status was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), FISH, and CISH, and interpreted per ASCO/CAP guidelines, with intratumoural heterogeneity assessment on full sections, where available. KRAS mutation testing was performed with Sanger sequencing. Stage and grade were associated with recurrence on both univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). Assessment of HER2 status revealed overexpression/amplification of HER2 in 29/154 (18.8%) MCs and 11/176 (6.2%) MBOTs. There was excellent agreement between IHC, FISH, and CISH assessment of HER2 status (perfect concordance of HER2 0 or 1+ IHC with non-amplified status, and 3+ IHC with amplified status). KRAS mutations were seen in 31/71 (43.6%) MCs and 26/33 (78.8%) MBOTs, and were near mutually exclusive of HER2 amplification. In the 189 MC cases, a total of 54 recurrences and 59 deaths (53 of progressive disease) were observed. Within MCs, either HER2 amplification/overexpression or KRAS mutation was associated with decreased likelihood of disease recurrence (p = 0.019) or death (p = 0.0041) when compared to cases with neither feature. Intratumoural heterogeneity was noted in 26% of HER2-overexpressing cases. These data support the stratification of MCs for the testing of new treatments, with HER2-targeted therapy as a viable option for HER2+ advanced or recurrent disease. Further research is required to delineate the molecular and clinical features of the ∼34% of MC cases with neither HER2 amplification nor KRAS mutations.

LPCAT1-TERT fusions are uniquely recurrent in epithelioid trophoblastic tumors and positively regulate cell growth.

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a heterogeneous group of lesions arising from placental tissue. Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT), derived from chorionic-type trophoblast, is the rarest form of GTD with only approximately 130 cases described in the literature. Due to its morphologic mimicry of epithelioid smooth muscle tumors and carcinoma, ETT can be misdiagnosed. To date, molecular characterization of ETTs is lacking. Furthermore, ETT is difficult to treat when disease spreads beyond the uterus. Here using RNA-Seq analysis in a cohort of ETTs and other gestational trophoblastic lesions we describe the discovery of LPCAT1-TERT fusion transcripts that occur in ETTs and coincide with underlying genomic deletions. Through cell-growth assays we demonstrate that LPCAT1-TERT fusion proteins can positively modulate cell proliferation and therefore may represent future treatment targets. Furthermore, we demonstrate that TERT upregulation appears to be a characteristic of ETTs, even in the absence of LPCAT1-TERT fusions, and that it appears linked to copy number gains of chromosome 5. No evidence of TERT upregulation was identified in other trophoblastic lesions tested, including placental site trophoblastic tumors and placental site nodules, which are thought to be the benign chorionic-type trophoblast counterpart to ETT. These findings indicate that LPCAT1-TERT fusions and copy-number driven TERT activation may represent novel markers for ETT, with the potential to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for women with this rare form of GTD.

Integrated Molecular Analysis of Undifferentiated Uterine Sarcomas Reveals Clinically Relevant Molecular Subtypes.

PURPOSE: Undifferentiated uterine sarcomas (UUS) are rare, extremely deadly, sarcomas with no effective treatment. The goal of this study was to identify novel intrinsic molecular UUS subtypes using integrated clinical, histopathologic, and molecular evaluation of a large, fully annotated, patient cohort. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Fifty cases of UUS with full clinicopathologic annotation were analyzed for gene expression (n = 50), copy-number variation (CNV, n = 40), cell morphometry (n = 39), and protein expression (n = 22). Gene ontology and network enrichment analysis were used to relate over- and underexpressed genes to pathways and further to clinicopathologic and phenotypic findings. RESULTS: Gene expression identified four distinct groups of tumors, which varied in their clinicopathologic parameters. Gene ontology analysis revealed differential activation of pathways related to genital tract development, extracellular matrix (ECM), muscle function, and proliferation. A multivariable, adjusted Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that RNA group, mitotic index, and hormone receptor expression influence patient overall survival (OS). CNV arrays revealed characteristic chromosomal changes for each group. Morphometry demonstrated that the ECM group, the most aggressive, exhibited a decreased cell density and increased nuclear area. A cell density cutoff of 4,300 tumor cells per mm2 could separate ECM tumors from the remaining cases with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 94%. IHC staining of MMP-14, Collagens 1 and 6, and Fibronectin proteins revealed differential expression of these ECM-related proteins, identifying potential new biomarkers for this aggressive sarcoma subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular evaluation of UUS provides novel insights into the biology, prognosis, phenotype, and possible treatment of these tumors.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Is Associated With Increased BMP7 Expression in Human Endometrium.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), a common health concern of women, is a heterogeneous clinical entity that is traditionally categorized into organic and nonorganic causes. Despite varied pharmacologic treatments, few offer sustained efficacy, as most are empiric, unfocused, and do not directly address underlying dysregulated molecular mechanisms. Characterization of such molecular derangements affords the opportunity to develop and use novel, more successful treatments for AUB. Given its implication in other organ systems, we hypothesized that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) expression is altered in patients with AUB and hence comprehensively investigated dysregulation of BMP signaling pathways by systematically screening 489 samples from 365 patients for differences in the expression of BMP2, 4, 6, and 7 ligands, BMPR1A and B receptors, and downstream SMAD4, 6, and 7 proteins. Expression analysis was correlated clinically with data abstracted from medical records, including bleeding history, age at procedure, ethnicity, body mass index, hormone treatment, and histological diagnosis of fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, hyperplasia, and cancer. Expression of BMP7 ligand was significantly increased in patients with AUB (H-score: 18.0 vs 26.7; P < .0001). Patients reporting heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) as their specific AUB pattern demonstrated significantly higher BMP7 expression. Significantly, no differences in the expression of any other BMP ligands, receptors, or SMAD proteins were observed in this large patient cohort. However, expression of BMPR1A, BMPR1B, and SMAD4 was significantly decreased in cancer compared to benign samples. Our study demonstrates that BMP7 is a promising target for future investigation and pharmacologic treatment of AUB.

Architectural overlap between benign endocervix and pattern-A endocervical adenocarcinoma: Are all pattern-A tumors invasive?

Studies on the pattern-based classification for invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma showed that tumors with nondestructive invasion (pattern-A) have a 0% rate of nodal metastases. Our understanding of pattern-A tumors and their distinction from in-situ adenocarcinoma requires further study. Thirteen sections diagnosed independently as pattern-A adenocarcinoma by three gynecologic pathologists, and 14 sections of benign endocervix were selected. Three additional pathologists (reviewers) evaluated a digital image from each section and classified it as pattern-A or benign based on architecture only. To blind the interpretation to cytologic features, nuclei and cytoplasm were obscured using morphometric software (Zen 2011, Carl Zeiss Microscopy, Germany). 13/27 cases (48%; 8 pattern-A, 5 benign) were correctly classified by all reviewers; 19/27 (70%; 10 pattern-A, 9 benign) were correctly classified by ≥2 reviewers. 3/13 pattern-A cases (23%) were interpreted as benign by ≥2 reviewers. Conversely, 5/14 benign cervices (36%) were misinterpreted as pattern-A by ≥2 reviewers. The number of glands per 20× field was higher in pattern-A cases with high reviewer agreement (p=0.004). An abnormal architecture is seen in many pattern-A adenocarcinomas in support of their invasive nature; some, however, have architecture that overlaps with that of benign endocervix thus may actually represent in-situ lesions. Likewise, normal cervix can be architecturally complex and mirror patterns that pathologists would classify as pattern-A if malignant cytologic features were present. Based on this overlap and the nil risk of nodal spread, an emphasis on the non-destructive, rather than the invasive, nature of pattern-A adenocarcinoma is recommended.

Validation of a Mitotic Index Cutoff as a Prognostic Marker in Undifferentiated Uterine Sarcomas.

Undifferentiated uterine sarcomas (UUS) are a heterogenous group of high-grade mesenchymal tumors. Although these tumors are highly aggressive, a subset of patients may experience long-term survival. These tumors have previously been divided morphologically into uniform and pleomorphic types. A previous study demonstrated that a mitotic index cutoff of 25 mitoses/10 high-power fields (corresponding to 11.16 mitotic figures/mm) could successfully divide tumors into 2 prognostic groups with significantly different overall survival. The goals of the current study were to (1) validate this mitotic index cutoff in an independent, multicenter cohort and (2) explore the prognostic value of the mitotic index groups in relation to other clinicopathologic variables. Cases were included from 3 independent institutions: The Norwegian Radium Hospital, The Mayo Clinic, and Skåne University Hospital. A total of 40 tumors were included after central review. All cases were negative for the YWHAE-FAM22A/B and JAZF1-JJAZ1 translocations. Survival data were available on all patients. In this study, one-third of patients with UUS survived beyond 5 years. The crude (unadjusted) Cox Proportional Hazards model revealed a number of parameters that significantly impacted overall survival, including mitotic index group, patient age, stage, and the presence of tumor necrosis. Classification into the uniform and pleomorphic types was not prognostic. Combining these parameters into an adjusted model revealed that only the mitotic index group and stage were prognostic. On the basis of these findings, it is proposed that UUS be subdivided into "mitogenic" and "not otherwise specified" types.

Myxoid Leiomyosarcoma of the Uterus: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 30 Cases and Review of the Literature With Reappraisal of Its Distinction From Other Uterine Myxoid Mesenchymal Neoplasms.

Myxoid leiomyosarcoma (mLMS) of the uterus is a rare neoplasm; thus, knowledge of its clinical behavior and morphology remains limited. We therefore reviewed 30 cases initially diagnosed as uterine mLMS to better characterize its clinicopathologic features. Diagnosis was confirmed in 25 subjects (average age 51.5 y), of whom 80% were stage 1 at presentation. The average tumor size was 10.8 cm. An infiltrative tumor border was observed microscopically in 24 cases (96%); the border in 1 case could not be assessed. Fourteen cases (56%) had >10 mitoses per 10 high-power fields, 8 (32%) had between 2 and 10, and 3 cases (12%) had <2 mitoses. Geographic tumor necrosis and moderate to severe nuclear pleomorphism were seen concurrently in 12 cases (48%). All tumors expressed smooth muscle markers. Estrogen receptor was expressed in 29.4% of cases. Eighteen of 21 cases (85.7%) were negative for ALK by immunohistochemistry. Follow-up information was available in 18 subjects: 8 died of disease, 6 were alive with local and/or distant recurrence, and 4 were alive with no evidence of disease. Individuals who died of disease tended to have tumors with >10 mitoses per 10 high-power fields. Among cases with ≥5-year follow-up, overall survival was 11.1%, significantly worse compared with reported survival rates for conventional LMS. The initial diagnosis of mLMS was revised in 5 cases. Four had a distinctive loose myxoid appearance, nuclei with vesicular chromatin, and ALK positivity by immunohistochemistry, suggesting, suggesting inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. This diagnosis was confirmed by in situ hybridization in 2 cases. One additional myxoid tumor lacked smooth muscle or myofibroblastic features and could not be classified further. mLMS is an aggressive neoplasm characterized by infiltrative tumor borders and variability of other features (mitotic count, atypia, and necrosis). The differential diagnosis includes myxoid leiomyoma and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Attention to distinguishing morphologic features and immunohistochemistry will aid in the interpretation. An illustrated algorithm with criteria for diagnosis is proposed.

Epigenetic regulation of uterine biology by transcription factor KLF11 via posttranslational histone deacetylation of cytochrome p450 metabolic enzymes.

Endocrine regulation of uterine biology is critical for embryo receptivity and human reproduction. Uterine endometrium depends on extrinsic sex steroid input and hence likely has mechanisms that enable adaptation to hormonal variation. Emerging evidence suggests that sex steroid bioavailability in the endometrium is determined by adjusting their metabolic rate and fate via regulation of cytochrome (CYP) p450 enzymes. The CYP enzymes are targeted by ubiquitously expressed Sp/Krüppel-like (Sp/KLF) transcription factors. Specifically, KLF11 is highly expressed in reproductive tissues, regulates an array of endocrine/metabolic pathways via epigenetic histone-based mechanisms and, when aberrantly expressed, is associated with diabetes and reproductive tract diseases, such as leiomyoma and endometriosis. Using KLF11 as a model to investigate epigenetic regulation of endometrial first-pass metabolism, we evaluated the expression of a comprehensive array of metabolic enzymes in Ishikawa cells. KLF11 repressed most endometrial CYP enzymes. To characterize KLF11-recruited epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, we focused on the estrogen-metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4. KLF11 expression declined in secretory phase endometrial epithelium associated with increased CYP3A4 expression. Additionally, KLF11 bound to CYP3A4 promoter GC elements and thereby repressed promoter, message, protein as well as enzymatic function. This repression was epigenetically mediated, because KLF11 colocalized with and recruited the corepressor SIN3A/histone deacetylase resulting in selective deacetylation of the CYP3A4 promoter. Repression was reversed by a mutation in KLF11 that abrogated cofactor recruitment and binding. This repression was also pharmacologically reversible with an histone deacetylase inhibitor. Pharmacological alteration of endometrial metabolism could have long-term translational implications on human reproduction and uterine disease.

High-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas: a clinicopathologic study of a group of tumors with heterogenous morphologic and genetic features.

The existence of a "high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma" category of tumors has been a controversial subject owing to, among other things, the difficulty in establishing consistent diagnostic criteria. Currently, the recommended classification for such tumors is undifferentiated uterine/endometrial sarcoma. Interest in this subject has recently increased markedly with the identification of recurrent molecular genetic abnormalities. At Mayo Clinic, a group of neoplasms has been observed that morphologically resemble, either cytologically or architecturally, classic "low-grade" endometrial stromal sarcoma but feature obvious deviations, specifically, 17 tumors with unequivocally high-grade morphology. These high-grade tumors displayed 3 morphologic themes: (1) tumors with a component that is identical to low-grade ESS that transitions abruptly into an obviously higher-grade component; (2) tumors composed exclusively of high-grade cells with uniform nuclear features but with a permeative pattern of infiltration; (3) tumors similar to the second group but with a different, yet characteristic, cytomorphology featuring enlarged round to ovoid cells (larger than those found in low-grade ESS) with smooth nuclear membranes and distinct chromatin clearing but lacking prominent nucleoli. We collected clinicopathologic data, applied immunohistochemical studies, and also tested tumors by fluorescence in situ hybridization for abnormalities in JAZF1, PHF1, YWHAE, and CCND1. Tumors from these 3 groups were found to be immunohistochemically and genetically distinct from one another. Most notable was the fact that category 3 contained all the cases that tested positive for YWHAE rearrangement, did not show any classic translocations for JAZF1, PHF1, or CCND1, often presented at a high stage, and behaved aggressively. This study demonstrates the morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular genetic heterogeneity that exists within "undifferentiated endometrial sarcomas" as currently defined and lends credence to the effort of subclassifying some tumors as truly "high-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas." Our study also shows that, in the context of undifferentiated endometrial sarcomas, recognition of cytomorphologic features on routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections may be used to select tumors with specific molecular genetic changes-that is, translocations involving YWHAE. Our conclusions will help further efforts towards proper sub-classification of these tumors which will aid in diagnosis and potentially affect clinical management.

A novel role of the Sp/KLF transcription factor KLF11 in arresting progression of endometriosis.

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of young, reproductive-aged women. Disease associated pelvic pain; infertility and sexual dysfunction have a significant adverse clinical, social and financial impact. As precise disease etiology has remained elusive, current therapeutic strategies are empiric, unfocused and often unsatisfactory. Lack of a suitable genetic model has impaired further translational research in the field. In this study, we evaluated the role of the Sp/KLF transcription factor KLF11/Klf11 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. KLF11, a human disease-associated gene is etiologically implicated in diabetes, uterine fibroids and cancer. We found that KLF11 expression was diminished in human endometriosis implants and further investigated its pathogenic role in Klf11-/- knockout mice with surgically induced endometriotic lesions. Lesions in Klf11-/- animals were large and associated with prolific fibrotic adhesions resembling advanced human disease in contrast to wildtype controls. To determine phenotype-specificity, endometriosis was also generated in Klf9-/- animals. Unlike in Klf11-/- mice, lesions in Klf9-/- animals were neither large, nor associated with a significant fibrotic response. KLF11 also bound to specific elements located in the promoter regions of key fibrosis-related genes from the Collagen, MMP and TGF-ß families in endometrial stromal cells. KLF11 binding resulted in transcriptional repression of these genes. In summary, we identify a novel pathogenic role for KLF11 in preventing de novo disease-associated fibrosis in endometriosis. Our model validates in vivo the phenotypic consequences of dysregulated Klf11 signaling. Additionally, it provides a robust means not only for further detailed mechanistic investigation but also the ability to test any emergent translational ramifications thereof, so as to expand the scope and capability for treatment of endometriosis.