For the first time, researchers have created a model that could help unlock what causes adenomyosis, a common gynecological disease that is a major contributor to women having to undergo hysterectomies.

In a two-step process, a team led by Michigan State University’s Jae-Wook Jeong first identified a protein known as beta-catenin that may play a key role in the development of the disease. When activated, beta-catenin causes changes in certain cells in a woman’s uterus, leading to adenomyosis.

Then Jeong, an associate professor in the College of Human Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, created a mouse model that may reveal useful targets for new treatments.

“Progress in the understanding what causes adenomyosis and finding potential drug treatments has been hampered by the lack of defined molecular mechanisms and animal models,” Jeong said.

“These findings provide great insights into our understanding of the beta-catenin protein and will lead to the translation of animal models for the development of new therapeutic approaches.”

The disease occurs when the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus (myometrium). Symptoms of the disease include menstrual bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Most women with the disease require surgery, and 66 percent of hysterectomies are associated with it.

“This research offers hope to the millions of women who have adenomyosis and holds promise that a cure, besides hysterectomy, is on the horizon,” said Richard Leach, chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.

The research results were recently published in the Journal of Pathology. The work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society and World Class University Program at Seoul National University in South Korea.

Leach added the study highlights the groundbreaking research being done in collaboration with other internationally renowned research centers in women’s health.

See more at: MSU Today

GRAND RAPIDS, MI‚ The expansion of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has brought more than med students to town. It also has drawn a steadily increasing number of researchers lured from other universities.

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“Characterization of endometrial natural killer cells in women with infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss and associated endometriosis” has been selected as the recipient of the Reproductive Immunology Special Interest Group’s Prize Paper Award.

This paper will be presented during the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Boston, MA. It will be presented in the Reproductive Immunology session Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 4:00 pm.

Certificates will be distributed to the authors at the meeting. A small monetary prize will be issued after the meeting.

Attention Department Faculty: The Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure process for 2013 is drawing to a close. If you plan to go forward for promotion please notify Jodi Baker ASAP (must be prior to 10/18/2013) and visit the CHM Faculty Affairs and Development website at Click to view, where you will find all college RPT-specific information, including portfolio requirements, required forms, etc. The department RPT committee will meet to review all completed portfolio submissions the last week of October. No portfolios can be accepted for this year after 10/18/2013.”