Characterization of biochemical changes associated with TCDD exposure in the cellular secretions of in vitro endometriosis models via Raman spectroscopy-based measurements

Abstract

Endometriosis is a debilitating gynecological condition that afflicts more than 10% of reproductive-age women worldwide. It is characterized by the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. Despite its prevalence and severity, there are currently no confirmed biomarkers for endometriosis which has resulted in a significant dearth of effective and non-invasive diagnostic tools. Therefore, there is a clear and pressing need for a novel diagnostic tool to detect the presence of early-stage endometriosis in order to prevent disease progression and improve patient outcomes. Previous studies have linked the onset of endometriosis and related peritoneal adhesive diseases to gene polymorphisms and somatic mutations which are believed to arise from prolonged exposure to certain environmental toxicants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Herein, we use Raman spectroscopy (RS) – an optics-based vibrational analysis technique – to explore the biochemical changes induced within human and murine TCDD-exposure in vitro endometriosis models. By measuring the cellular secretions following toxic exposure and performing principal component analysis (PCA) on the resulting Raman spectra, we hope to gain insight into the biochemical signature of endometriosis.