Highlights

• SCM-198 suppresses regulatory T cells (Treg) differentiation and cytokine production by inhibiting estrogen-ERα signaling pathway in endometriosis (EMS).
• SCM-198 reduces the invasiveness and viability of endometrial stromal cells indirectly through modulating Treg activity.
• SCM-198 treatment significantly limits ectopic lesion growth and Treg accumulation in EMS mouse models.

Summary

The research article investigates the potential therapeutic effects of SCM-198, a synthetic derivative of leonurine, on endometriosis (EMS).

The study unveiled that EMS patients exhibited elevated estrogen levels and an increased accumulation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the peritoneal fluid, driven by estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling. SCM-198 showed efficacy on suppressing both estrogen production and ERα expression, which in turn reduced Treg differentiation and their secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-β1. This led to diminished viability and invasiveness of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (eESCs), both in mouse and in vitro models of EMS.

The findings suggest that SCM-198 alleviates EMS by attenuating Tregs expansion through suppressing estrogen-ERα signaling, offering a promising strategy for treatment.

Y. Li et al., “Scm-198 alleviates endometriosis by suppressing estrogen-erα mediated differentiation and function of cd4+ cd25+ regulatory t cells,” Int. J. Biol. Sci., vol. 18, no. 5, pp. 1961–1973, 2022, doi: 10.7150/ijbs.68224