Events
Wednesday, February 02, 2022
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BMS Seminar: Endometrial hypoxia and menstruation, Dr Jacqueline Maybin, Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant Gynaecologist, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at University of EdinburghtbaAbstract: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common and debilitating symptom but menstruation remains a taboo subject. Hence, it is rarely discussed, under-researched and sub-optimally managed. Many currently available medical treatments fail due to hormonal side effects and/or lack of effectiveness. We study endometrial physiology and pathology during menstrual breakdown and repair with the aim of developing better treatments for those suffering with HMB. Over 80 years ago it was proposed that progesterone withdrawal caused intense vasoconstriction and transient endometrial hypoxia that resulted in menstruation. Subsequent research confirmed that inflammation initiates menstruation and disputed the presence and role of hypoxia in endometrial physiology. By studying human tissue and a mouse model of “simulated menstruation” we have shown that hypoxia is present in the menstrual endometrium. We also revealed that hypoxia is not necessary for endometrial breakdown at menstruation but is essential for timely repair of the denuded endometrial surface to limit menstrual blood loss. This seminar will detail our work on the presence and role of hypoxia and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF, the master regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia) in the human endometrium using in vivo MRI techniques alongside ex vivo studies. In addition, the effects of pharmacological and genetic inhibition of hypoxia pathways in our mouse model of simulated menstruation will be described. Finally, evidence will be presented proposing HIF-1 stabilisers as a potential non-hormonal therapeutic strategy for women with HMB.
MS Teams link available here |