Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 beta protects endometriotic cells against apoptotic cell death by up-regulating the expression of antiapoptotic genes†

Abstract The overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 beta (HNF1β) in endometriotic lesion has been demonstrated. However, the role of HNF1β in endometriosis remains largely unknown. Human endometriotic 12Z cells showed higher level of HNF1β when compared with normal endometrial HES cells. In human endometriotic 12Z cells, HNF1β knockdown increased susceptibility to apoptotic cell death by oxidative stress, while HNF1β overexpression suppressed apoptosis. In addition, HNF1β knockdown and overexpression significantly decreased and increased, respectively, the expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)-dependent antiapoptotic genes. Knockdown of the antiapoptotic genes significantly reduced the HNF1β-induced resistance against oxidative stress in 12Z cells. Furthermore, HNF1β regulated the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, and an NF-κB inhibitor suppressed the HNF1β-enhanced NF-κB-dependent antiapoptotic gene expression and the resistance of the 12Z cells against cell death. Taken together, these data suggest that HNF1β overexpression may protect endometriotic cells against oxidative damage by augmenting antiapoptotic gene expression.