# Role of chromatin remodeling and cell signaling in endometriosis etiology

> **NIH NIH R21** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $195,625

## Abstract

Project Summary
Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of pain and infertility.
Endometriosis is commonly associated with inflammation and the estrogen dependent, non-neoplastic spread
of endometrial tissue to the peritoneal cavity. While current theories on the causes of endometriosis support a
role for physiological dysfunction in the endometrium (i.e. retrograde menstruation), the genetic and molecular
mechanisms underlying the etiology of the disease are poorly understood. Recent exome sequencing of
endometriotic lesions identified mutations in proteins involved in chromatin remodeling and cell signaling. We
hypothesize that mutations in chromatin remodeling and cell signaling pathways activate transcriptional
programs required for cellular dissemination and invasion, leading to the estrogen-dependent spread of
endometrial tissue. In Aim 1, we will utilize genetic and genome-wide sequencing approaches to determine the
mechanism by which chromatin remodeling regulates normal endometrial epithelial cell identity and
homeostasis. In Aim 2, we will use a newly developed mouse model of endometriosis that mimics the natural
spread of endometriotic tissue to address the role of the Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) signaling transcription factor
complex in invasion. This proposal will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that promote the initial
establishment and spread of endometriosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10004701
- **Project number:** 5R21HD099383-02
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ronald L Chandler
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $195,625
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10004701

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10004701, Role of chromatin remodeling and cell signaling in endometriosis etiology (5R21HD099383-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10004701. Licensed CC0.

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