Transcriptomic analysis of granulosa cells in patients with endometriosis-related infertility: identification of potential molecular mechanisms

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of endometriosis (EMS) on granulosa cell function and elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: RNA sequencing, differential expression analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction analysis, and RT-qPCR were employed to assess the effects of EMS on granulosa cell function. Results: The results revealed significant differences in gene expression between the EMS and control groups, including genes related to immune regulatory functions and ferroptosis. Hub gene modules and hub genes were identified, including those related to cell cycle and immune and inflammatory pathways. RT-qPCR revealed significant upregulation of the hub genes CCL3 and IL1B in granulosa cells of patients with EMS. Conclusion: The results of RNA sequencing demonstrated that EMS induces significant transcriptional alterations in granulosa cells of affected patients. These findings provide important insights into the diagnosis and treatment of EMS and highlight the importance of further investigation of CCL3 and IL1B as potential biomarkers for EMS.