HMGA2 overexpression induces plasticity in myometrial cells and a transcriptomic profile more similar to that of uterine fibroids.

Objective: To study the possible role for HMGA2 overexpression in differentiated myometrial cells and its potential to induce a stem cell-like or dedifferentiating phenotype and drive fibroid development.

Design: Myometrial cells were immortalized and transduced with an HMGA2 lentivirus to produce HMGA2hi cells. In vitro stem cell assays were conducted, and ribonucleic acid from HMGA2hi and control cells as well as fibroid-free myometrial and HMGA2 fibroid (HMGA2F) tissues were submitted for ribonucleic acid sequencing.

Setting: University research laboratory.

Patient(s): Women who underwent hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroids or other gynecological conditions.

Intervention(s): Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure(s): In vitro stem cell-like properties from myometrial cell lines. Ribonucleic acid sequencing and collagen production of HMGA2-overexpressing primary leiomyoma tissue and cell lines.

Result(s): HMGA2hi cells had enhanced self-renewal capacity, decreased proliferation, and a greater ability to differentiate into other mesenchymal cell types. HMGA2hi cells exhibited a stem cell-like signature and shared transcriptomic similarities with HMGA2F. Moreover, dysregulated extracellular matrix pathways were observed in both HMGA2hi cells and HMGA2F.

Conclusion(s): Our findings show that HMGA2 overexpression may drive myometrial cells to dedifferentiate into a more plastic phenotype and provide evidence for an alternative mechanism for fibroid etiology, suggesting that fibroids arise not only from a mutated stem cell but also from a mutated differentiated myometrial cell.