The DNA demethylation-regulated SFRP2 dictates the progression of endometriosis via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis cause decreases in life quality and pelvic pain in reproductive-age women. Methylation abnormalities played a functional role in the progression of endometriosis, this study aimed to explore the mechanisms mediated by abnormal methylation in the development of EMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Next-generation sequencing dataset and methylation profiling dataset were used to screen out the key gene SFRP2. Western bolt, Real-time PCR, Aza-2?deoxycytidine treatment, luciferase reporter assay, Methylation-specific PCR , Bisulfite sequencing PCR and lentivirus infection were carried out to detect the methylation status and signaling pathway with the primary epithelial cells. Transwell assay and wound scratch assay were implemented to observe the differences of migration ability with the intervening with the expression of SFRP2. RESULTS: To define the role of the DNA methylation-regulated genes in the pathogenesis of EMS, we performed both DNA methylomic and expression analyses of ectopic endometrium and ectopic endometrium epithelial cells(EEECs) and found that SFRP2 is demethylated/upregulated in ectopic endometrium and EEECs. The expression of lentivirus carrying SFRP2 cDNA up-regulates the activity of Wnt signaling and the protein expression of ?-catenin in EEECs. SFRP2 impact on the invasion and migration of ectopic endometrium by modulating the activities of the Wnt/?-catenin signaling pathway. The invasion and migration ability of EEECs were significantly strengthened after demethylation treatment including 5-Aza and the knockdown of DNMT1. CONCLUSION: In summary, the increased SFRP2 expression-induced Wnt/?-catenin signaling due to the demethylation of the SFRP2 promoter plays an important role in the pathogenesis of EMS, suggesting that SFRP2 might be a therapeutic target for EMS treatment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-023-00470-9.