Adiponectin deficiency promotes endometrial carcinoma pathogenesis and development via activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for cancer. Clinical studies have demonstrated that circulating levels of adiponectin are inversely correlated, not only with the extent of adiposity, but also with the incidence of several types of cancer, particularly endometrial cancer (EC). However, thus far, adiponectin remains a correlative factor, without definitive evidence to show a causal effect in EC and the potential mechanism(s) involved. To address this issue, we introduced an Apn-null mutation into Pten haploid-deficient (Pten^+/- ) mice. The Pten heterozygous mutation alone led to the development of EC in less than 30% of female mice; however, when combined with the Apn-null mutation, the incidence of endometrial lesions rose to at least two-thirds. Although Apn deficiency did not further potentiate the Akt activation caused by the Pten mutation, it elevated the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p42/44, indicating activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Treatment of Apn^-/- ;Pten^+/- mice with a MEK inhibitor blocked the development of EC. Finally, xenografts of a PTEN-proficient human EC cell line grew faster in Apn-deficient mice, whereas an adiponectin receptor agonist reduced xenograft growth of a PTEN-deficient human EC cell line. Thus, reduction of adiponectin activity promotes EC development, at least in the context of Pten mutation, by activating MAPK. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.