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Yu R, Wei C, Li G, Ouyang J, Liu N, Gu N, Lin Y, Xu H. Aberrant TCF21 upregulation in adenomyosis impairs endometrial decidualization by increasing PDE4C expression. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024:167526. [PMID: 39326465 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired decidualization is a major cause of infertility in patients with adenomyosis (AM). However, the effect of transcription factor 21 (TCF21) on AM and the underlying mechanism of associated-impaired decidualization remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of TCF21 in endometrial tissues of AM patients and the specific mechanisms by which it impairs the decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs), with a view to improving the reproductive outcome of AM infertile patients. METHODS We compared gene expressions via transcriptomics between the control and AM-associated recurrent implantation failure (RIF) groups. qRT-PCR, western blot, and IHC were performed to confirm the expression and location of TCF21 in the endometrium. Furthermore, we confirmed that high expression of TCF21 impairs decidualization by qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot. RNA-seq following overexpression of TCF21 in HESCs was conducted to identify TCF21-related molecular changes during in vitro decidualization. Then we performed ChIP-seq/qPCR and dual-luciferase reporter assay to explore the exact interaction between TCF21 and PDE4C. The related downstream mechanisms were further proved using IHC, qRT-PCR, western blot, and ELISA. RESULTS According to the RNA-seq analysis, TCF21 expression was remarkably higher in the endometrium of the AM-related RIF group compared to the control group. We confirmed the same results using samples from patients with AM and controls. TCF21 overexpression in HESCs impaired decidualization through suppression of decidual markers and cytoskeleton alterations. The mechanistic analysis revealed that TCF21 inhibited intracellular cAMP levels by directly increasing PDE4C expression and suppressing FOXO1 expression. CONCLUSIONS TCF21 compromises decidualization in patients with AM via the PDE4C/cAMP-FOXO1 axis, which offers valuable insights on the pathology of decidualization-related infertility and indicates a potential treatment to improve endometrial receptivity in AM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoer Yu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenxuan Wei
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Guojing Li
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ouyang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Liu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Nihao Gu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Lin
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hong Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China.
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Sakamoto R, Fujiwara T, Kawano Y, Aikawa S, Inazumi T, Nakayama O, Kawasaki-Shirata Y, Hashimoto-Iwasaki M, Sugimoto T, Tsuchiya S, Nakao S, Takeo T, Hirota Y, Sugimoto Y. Uterine prostaglandin DP receptor-induced upon implantation contributes to decidualization together with EP4 receptor. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100636. [PMID: 39218218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
To investigate the yet-unknown roles of prostaglandins (PGs) in the uterus, we analyzed the expression of various PG receptors in the uterus. We found that three types of Gs-coupled PG receptors, DP, EP2, and EP4, were expressed in luminal epithelial cells from the peri-implantation period to late pregnancy. DP expression was also induced in stromal cells within the mesometrial region, whereas EP4 was expressed in stromal cells within the anti-mesometrial region during the peri-implantation period. The timing of DP induction after embryo attachment correlated well with that of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2); however, COX-2-expressing stromal cells were located in the vicinity of the embryo, whereas DP-expressing stromal cells surrounded these cells on the mesometrial side. Specific [3H]PGD2-binding activity was detected in the decidua of uteri, with PGD2 synthesis comparable to that of PGE2 detected in the uteri during the peri-implantation period. Administration of the COX-2-specific inhibitor celecoxib caused adverse effects on decidualization, as demonstrated by the attenuated weight of the implantation sites, which was recovered by the simultaneous administration of a DP agonist. Such a rescuing effect of the DP agonist was mimicked by an EP4 agonist, but not an EP2 agonist. While the importance of DP signaling was shown pharmacologically, DP/EP2 double deficiency did not affect implantation and decidualization, suggesting the contribution of EP4 to these processes. Indeed, administration of an EP4 antagonist substantially affected decidualization in DP/EP2-deficient mice. These results suggest that COX-2-derived PGD2 and PGE2 contribute to decidualization via a coordinated pathway of DP and EP4 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Sakamoto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takuji Fujiwara
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuko Kawano
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shizu Aikawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Inazumi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - On Nakayama
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yukiko Kawasaki-Shirata
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Miho Hashimoto-Iwasaki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Toshiko Sugimoto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Soken Tsuchiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Satohiro Nakao
- Division of Reproductive Engineering, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Toru Takeo
- Division of Reproductive Engineering, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yasushi Hirota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukihiko Sugimoto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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Thapa R, Marmo K, Ma L, Torry DS, Bany BM. The Long Non-Coding RNA Gene AC027288.3 Plays a Role in Human Endometrial Stromal Fibroblast Decidualization. Cells 2024; 13:778. [PMID: 38727314 PMCID: PMC11083667 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
During the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, endometrial fibroblast cells begin to change into large epithelial-like cells called decidual cells in a process called decidualization. This differentiation continues more broadly in the endometrium and forms the decidual tissue during early pregnancy. The cells undergoing decidualization as well as the resulting decidual cells, support successful implantation and placentation during early pregnancy. This study was carried out to identify new potentially important long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes that may play a role in human endometrial stromal fibroblast cells (hESF) undergoing decidualization in vitro, and several were found. The expression of nine was further characterized. One of these, AC027288.3, showed a dramatic increase in the expression of hESF cells undergoing decidualization. When AC027288.3 expression was targeted, the ability of the cells to undergo decidualization as determined by the expression of decidualization marker protein-coding genes was significantly altered. The most affected markers of decidualization whose expression was significantly reduced were FOXO1, FZD4, and INHBA. Therefore, AC027288.3 may be a major upstream regulator of the WNT-FOXO1 pathway and activin-SMAD3 pathways previously shown as critical for hESF decidualization. Finally, we explored possible regulators of AC027288.3 expression during human ESF decidualization. Expression was regulated by cAMP and progesterone. Our results suggest that AC027288.3 plays a role in hESF decidualization and identifies several other lncRNA genes that may also play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupak Thapa
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; (R.T.)
| | - Kevin Marmo
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; (R.T.)
| | - Liang Ma
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Donald S. Torry
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Brent M. Bany
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; (R.T.)
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Doi-Tanaka Y, Tamura I, Shiroshita A, Fujimura T, Shirafuta Y, Maekawa R, Taketani T, Sato S, Sugino N. Differential gene expression in decidualized human endometrial stromal cells induced by different stimuli. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7726. [PMID: 38565619 PMCID: PMC10987566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58065-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Decidualization can be induced by culturing human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) with several decidualization stimuli, such as cAMP, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or Estradiol (E2). However, it has been unclear how decidualized cells induced by different stimuli are different. We compared transcriptomes and cellular functions of decidualized ESCs induced by different stimuli (MPA, E2 + MPA, cAMP, and cAMP + MPA). We also investigated which decidualization stimulus induces a closer in vivo decidualization. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and altered cellular functions by each decidualization stimuli were identified by RNA-sequence and gene-ontology analysis. DEGs was about two times higher for stimuli that use cAMP (cAMP and cAMP + MPA) than for stimuli that did not use cAMP (MPA and E2 + MPA). cAMP-using stimuli altered the cellular functions including angiogenesis, inflammation, immune system, and embryo implantation whereas MPA-using stimuli (MPA, E2 + MPA, and cAMP + MPA) altered the cellular functions associated with insulin signaling. A public single-cell RNA-sequence data of the human endometrium was utilized to analyze in vivo decidualization. The altered cellular functions by in vivo decidualization were close to those observed by cAMP + MPA-induced decidualization. In conclusion, decidualized cells induced by different stimuli have different transcriptome and cellular functions. cAMP + MPA may induce a decidualization most closely to in vivo decidualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumiko Doi-Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Isao Tamura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan.
| | - Amon Shiroshita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Taishi Fujimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Shirafuta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Ryo Maekawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Taketani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Shun Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Norihiro Sugino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505, Japan
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De Geyter I, Kowalewski MP, Tavares Pereira M. Applying a novel kinomics approach to study decidualization and the effects of antigestagens using a canine model†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:583-598. [PMID: 38079525 PMCID: PMC10941090 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal decidual cells are crucial for the maintenance of canine pregnancy as they are the only cells expressing the nuclear progesterone (P4) receptor (PGR) in the placenta. Interfering with P4/PGR signaling adversely affects decidual cells and terminates pregnancy. Although immortalized dog uterine stromal (DUS) cells can be decidualized in vitro using cAMP, the involvement of cAMP-dependent kinases in canine decidualization had not been investigated. Therefore, the present project investigated changes in the kinome of DUS cells following in vitro decidualization, using the serine/threonine kinase (STK) PamChip assay (PamGene). Decidualization led to a predicted activation of 85 STKs in DUS cells, including protein kinase (PK) A, PKC, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and other mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CAMKs), and Akt1/2. In addition, blocking PGR with type 2 antigestagens (aglepristone or mifepristone) decreased the activity of virtually all kinases modulated by decidualization. The underlying transcriptional effects were inferred from comparison with available transcriptomic data on antigestagen-mediated effects in DUS cells. In targeted studies, interfering with PKA or MAPK kinase (MEK)1/2 resulted in downregulation of important decidualization markers (e.g., insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), prostaglandin E2 synthase (PTGES), prolactin receptor (PRLR), PGR, and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2/COX2)). Conversely, blocking of PKC decreased the mRNA availability of IGF1, PGR, and PTGS2, but not of PTGES and PRLR. Moreover, suppressing PKA decreased the phosphorylation of the transcription factors cJUN and CREB, whereas blocking of PKC affected only cJUN. This first kinomics analysis to target decidualization showed an increased activity of a wide range of STKs, which could be hindered by disrupting P4/PGR signaling. Decidualization appears to be regulated in a kinase-dependent manner, with PKA and PKC evoking different effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle De Geyter
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mariusz P Kowalewski
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Tavares Pereira
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Zhou P, Ouyang L, Jiang T, Tian Y, Deng W, Wang H, Kong S, Lu Z. Progesterone and cAMP synergistically induce SHP2 expression via PGR and CREB1 during uterine stromal decidualization. FEBS J 2024; 291:142-157. [PMID: 37786383 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Decidualization of endometrial stroma is a key step in embryo implantation and its abnormality often leads to pregnancy failure. Stromal decidualization is a very complex process that is co-regulated by estrogen, progesterone and many local factors. The signaling protein SHP2 encoded by PTPN11 is dynamically expressed in decidualized endometrial stroma and mediates and integrates various signals to govern the decidualization. In the present study, we investigate the mechanism of PTPN11 gene transcription. Estrogen, progesterone and cAMP co-induced decidualization of human endometrial stromal cell in vitro, but only progesterone and cAMP induced SHP2 expression. Using the luciferase reporter, we refined a region from -229 bp to +1 bp in the PTPN11 gene promoter comprising the transcriptional core regions that respond to progesterone and cAMP. Progesterone receptor (PGR) and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) were predicted to be transcription factors in this core region by bioinformatic methods. The direct binding of PGR and CREB1 on the PTPN11 promoter was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility and chromatin immunoprecipitation in vitro. Knockdown of PGR and CREB1 protein significantly inhibited the expression of SHP2 induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate and cAMP. These results demonstrate that transcription factors PGR and CREB1 bind to the PTPN11 promoter to regulate the expression of SHP2 in response to decidual signals. Our results explain the transcriptional expression mechanism of SHP2 during decidualization and promote the understanding of the mechanism of decidualization of stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyi Zhou
- Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, China
| | - Liqun Ouyang
- Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, China
| | - Yingpu Tian
- Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, China
| | - Wenbo Deng
- Reproductive Medical Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Medical College of Xiamen University, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Reproductive Medical Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Medical College of Xiamen University, China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Reproductive Medical Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Medical College of Xiamen University, China
| | - Zhongxian Lu
- Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Medical College of Xiamen University, China
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Thapa R, Druessel L, Ma L, Torry DS, Bany BM. ATOH8 Expression Is Regulated by BMP2 and Plays a Key Role in Human Endometrial Stromal Cell Decidualization. Endocrinology 2023; 165:bqad188. [PMID: 38060684 PMCID: PMC10729865 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
During the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, elongated fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells in the uterine endometrium begin to transdifferentiate into polygonal epithelioid-like (decidual) cells. This decidualization process continues more broadly during early pregnancy, and the resulting decidual tissue supports successful embryo implantation and placental development. This study was carried out to determine if atonal basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 8 (ATOH8) plays a role in human endometrial stromal fibroblast (ESF) decidualization. ATOH8 messenger RNA and protein expression levels significantly increased in human ESF cells undergoing in vitro decidualization, with the protein primarily localized to the nucleus. When ATOH8 expression was silenced, the ability of the cells to undergo decidualization was significantly diminished. Overexpression of ATOH8 enhanced the expression of many decidualization markers. Silencing the expression of ATOH8 reduced the expression of FZD4, FOXO1, and several known FOXO1-downstream targets during human ESF cell decidualization. Therefore, ATOH8 may be a major upstream regulator of the WNT/FZD-FOXO1 pathway, previously shown to be critical for human endometrial decidualization. Finally, we explored possible regulators of ATOH8 expression during human ESF decidualization. BMP2 significantly enhanced ATOH8 expression when cells were stimulated to undergo decidualization, while an ALK2/3 inhibitor reduced ATOH8 expression. Finally, although the steroids progesterone plus estradiol did not affect ATOH8 expression, the addition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) analogue alone represented the major effect of ATOH8 expression when cells were stimulated to undergo decidualization. Our results suggest that ATOH8 plays a crucial role in human ESF decidualization and that BMP2 plus cAMP are major regulators of ATOH8 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupak Thapa
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Logan Druessel
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Liang Ma
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63018, USA
| | - Donald S Torry
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Brent M Bany
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
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Tong J, Li H, Zhang C. Altered 5-methylcytosine modification of mRNA is involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1720-1733. [PMID: 37796115 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
5-Methylcytosine (m5 C) is a prevalent RNA modification in messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Despite its abundance, its role in the decidua of pre-eclampsia (PE) remains elusive. In this study, we utilized methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to map m5 C peaks and mRNA expression profile in the decidua of human early-onset PE (EPE), late-onset PE (LPE), and normal pregnancy (NP). Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses elucidated potential roles of the differentially methylated mRNAs (DMGs) and differentially expressed mRNAs in decidualization pathways. Integrative analysis of MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq data pinpointed 50 candidate genes linked to PE, marked by both differentially methylated m5 C peaks and congruent expression changes. To validate these observations, we selected nine genes for verification via quantitative PCR. Our results underscore the precision and reproducibility of our bioinformatics approach. Importantly, we propose that changes in m5 C modification and expression of relevant mRNA might influence the pathogenesis of PE by hampering decidualization. This work shines light on the distinct mRNA m5 C modification patterns and expression profiles in the decidua of PE, implicating pivotal signaling disruptions and decidualization impediments in the onset of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongwanyu Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Van Wynendaele M, Thieffry C, Samain L, Pierreux CE, Tyteca D, Marbaix E, Henriet P. Effects of estradiol, progesterone or cAMP on expression of PGRMC1 and progesterone receptor in a xenograft model of human endometrium and in endometrial cell culture. Steroids 2023; 198:109284. [PMID: 37487815 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Estradiol and progesterone are key regulators of the menstrual cycle. In the human endometrium, progesterone induces morphological changes required for blastocyst implantation. Dysregulated response to progesterone can lead to endometrial pathologies including uterine bleeding and endometriosis. Besides the canonical nuclear progesterone receptor (encoded by the PGR gene), alternative response pathways include Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1), suspected to be involved in pathogenesis of endometrial diseases. We previously reported the spatiotemporal profile of PGRMC1 expression in the human endometrium along the menstrual cycle, highlighting progressive increase and decrease during the proliferative and secretory phases, respectively. Here we directly addressed its regulation by estradiol and progesterone, with systematic comparison with regulation of PGR expression. We found a direct correlation between expression of both genes during the proliferative and secretory phases in the cycling endometrium, but not during the menstrual phase. In a xenograft model mimicking the cycle phases, estradiol significantly increased and progesterone significantly decreased PGR expression but changes were not significant for PGRMC1. Finally, we did not find any significant effect of the ovarian steroids on expression of PGR or PGRMC1 in primary culture of endometrial stromal cells, except for a small increase in PGR expression by estradiol. Altogether, our experiments do not allow a major advance in our understanding of the mechanisms of cyclic variation of PGRMC1 expression, in particular regarding potential regulation by the ovarian steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Van Wynendaele
- CELL Unit, de Duve Institute and Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Charlotte Thieffry
- CELL Unit, de Duve Institute and Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lucie Samain
- CELL Unit, de Duve Institute and Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe E Pierreux
- CELL Unit, de Duve Institute and Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Donatienne Tyteca
- CELL Unit, de Duve Institute and Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Etienne Marbaix
- CELL Unit, de Duve Institute and Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium; Pathology Department, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Patrick Henriet
- CELL Unit, de Duve Institute and Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
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Platt F, Moyer J, Singer BB, Baston-Büst D, Wennemuth G, Bielfeld AP, Grümmer R. Forskolin versus cAMP-Induced Decidualization and Survival of Endometrial Stromal Cells of Endometriosis Patients. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:2680-2691. [PMID: 37046153 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01235-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Impairment of decidualization of eutopic human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) may cause an increase in cell survival of endometrial tissue in the peritoneal cavity constituting a precondition for endometriosis development. Decidualization is a physiological process involving progesterone action and cAMP signaling. We here evaluated the effect of 8-Br-cAMP, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and of the progestin progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) alone and in combination on decidualization induction using prolactin ELISA, and on cell size, cell granularity, and cell survival via flow cytometry in hESCs of patients with and without endometriosis. While progestins alone did not induce functional decidualization in hESCs, 8-Br-cAMP and forskolin induced decidualization in hESCs from both cohorts, whereas the induction of FOXO1 transcription and prolactin secretion by forskolin was significantly lower than by 8-Br-cAMP. 8-Br-cAMP- and forskolin-induced prolactin secretion was significantly enhanced by MPA, but not by progesterone. Decidualization entailed a decrease in cell size and in cell granularity. In general, hESCs from women with mild (ASRM I/II) as well as severe (ASRM III/IV) endometriosis in trend displayed a higher granularity, whereas mainly hESCs from severe endometriosis showed a stronger resistance to the induction of cell death after decidualization induction. In both cohorts, the amount of the decidual marker protein prolactin rather exhibited an anti-proportional correlation to cell death induction during six day treatment. This study contributes to widen our understanding of the connection of decidualization and cell death in endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farina Platt
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Janine Moyer
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernhard B Singer
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Dunja Baston-Büst
- Düsseldorf University Hospital, Department of OB/GYN and REI (UniKiD), 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gunther Wennemuth
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra P Bielfeld
- Düsseldorf University Hospital, Department of OB/GYN and REI (UniKiD), 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ruth Grümmer
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany.
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11
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Zhang H, Wang Z, Zhou Q, Cao Z, Jiang Y, Xu M, Liu J, Zhou J, Yan G, Sun H. Downregulated INHBB in endometrial tissue of recurrent implantation failure patients impeded decidualization through the ADCY1/cAMP signalling pathway. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1135-1146. [PMID: 36913138 PMCID: PMC10239411 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02762-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to identify the mechanism of Inhibin Subunit Beta B (INHBB), a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family involved in the regulation of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) decidualization in recurrent implantation failure (RIF). METHODS RNA-seq was conducted to identify the differentially expressed genes in the endometria from control and RIF patients. RT-qPCR, WB, and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyse the expression levels of INHBB in endometrium and decidualised HESCs. RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect changes in the decidual marker genes and cytoskeleton after knockdown INHBB. Then, RNA-seq was used to dig out the mechanism of INHBB regulating decidualization. The cAMP analogue (forskolin) and si-INHBB were used to investigate the involvement of INHBB in the cAMP signalling pathway. The correlation of INHBB and ADCY expression was analysed by Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS Our results showed significantly reduced expression of INHBB in endometrial stromal cells of women with RIF. In addition, INHBB was increased in the endometrium of the secretory phase and significantly induced in in-vitro decidualization of HESCs. Notably, with RNA-seq and siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches, we demonstrated that the INHBB-ADCY1-mediated cAMP signalling pathway regulates the reduction of decidualization. We found a positive association between the expression of INHBB and ADCY1 in endometria with RIF (R2 = 0.3785, P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS The decline of INHBB in HESCs suppressed ADCY1-induced cAMP production and cAMP-mediated signalling, which attenuated decidualization in RIF patients, indicating that INHBB is an essential component in the decidualization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhilong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Manlin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingyu Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jidong Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guijun Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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12
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Guo S, Qin N, Wang X, Zuo Z, Li Q, Wang Y. Freeze-dried powder of daylily bud improves bromocriptine-induced lactation disorder in rats via JAK2/STAT5 pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 313:116536. [PMID: 37120059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Milk deficiency is a prevalent problem in the world. Daylily (Hemerocallis citrina Borani), called the Chinese mother flower, is a traditional vegetable and is believed to possess a galactagogue effect in China. Flavonoids and phenols are considered as the active ingredients of daylily to promote lactation and improve depression. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to investigate the prolactin effects of freeze-dried powder of flower buds of H. citrina Baroni in rat and its action mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The chemical constituents of flower buds of H. citrina Baroni treated by different drying techniques were analyzed by ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model induced by bromocriptine was used to evaluate the effect of freeze-dried powder of daylily buds on promoting lactation. Network pharmacology method, ELISA, qPCR, and Western blot were used to clarify the action mechanisms. RESULTS We detected 657 compounds in daylily buds. The relative contents of total flavonoids and phenols in freeze-dried samples were higher than those in dried ones. Bromocriptine, as a dopamine receptor agonist, can significantly inhibit prolactin in rats. Daylily buds can restore the levels of prolactin, progesterone and estradiol depressed by bromocriptine, effectively improve the milk production of the rat, and promote the repair of rat mammary gland tissue. We analyzed the relationship between the chemical components of daylily buds and the genes related to lactation with network pharmacology method, revealing that flavonoids and phenols may be the active components that promoted milk production via JAK2/STAT5 pathway, which was confirmed by the results of qPCR and Western blot. Daylily buds can increase the mRNA expression of PRLR, CSN2, LALBA and FASN and the protein expression of PRLR, JAK2 and STAT5. CONCLUSION Daylily buds can improve the insufficient lactation of rats induced by bromocriptine through PRLR/JAK2/STAT5 pathway, and the freeze-dried processing method may better retain the active components of flavonoids and phenols that promote milk in daylily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Guo
- Shanxi Institute for Functional Food, Department of Development Planning and Cooperation, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, PR China.
| | - Nannan Qin
- Shanxi Institute for Functional Food, Department of Development Planning and Cooperation, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan, PR China.
| | - Xiuying Wang
- Shanxi Institute for Functional Food, Department of Development Planning and Cooperation, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan, PR China.
| | - Zanwen Zuo
- Innovative Drug R&D Center, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, PR China.
| | - Qizhang Li
- Innovative Drug R&D Center, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, PR China.
| | - Yuliang Wang
- Plant Biotechnology Research Center, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, Sichuan Research Institute, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
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13
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Li B, Yan YP, He YY, Liang C, Li MY, Wang Y, Yang ZM. IHH, SHH, and primary cilia mediate epithelial-stromal cross-talk during decidualization in mice. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eadd0645. [PMID: 36853961 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.add0645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of pregnancy depends on interactions between the epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium that drive the decidual reaction that remodels the stroma and enables embryo implantation. Decidualization in mice also depends on ovarian hormones and the presence of a blastocyst. Hedgehog signaling is transduced by primary cilia in many tissues and is involved in epithelial-stromal cross-talk during decidualization. We found that primary cilia on mouse uterine stromal cells increased in number and length during early pregnancy and were required for decidualization. In vitro and in vivo, progesterone promoted stromal ciliogenesis and the production of Indian hedgehog (IHH) in the epithelium and Sonic hedgehog (SHH) in the stroma. Blastocyst-derived TNF-α also induced epithelial IHH, which stimulated the production of SHH in the stroma through a mechanism that may involve the release of arachidonic acid from epithelial cells. In the stroma, SHH activated canonical Hedgehog signaling through primary cilia and promoted decidualization through a mechanism that depended on interleukin-11 (IL-11) and primary cilia. Our findings identify a primary cilia-dependent network that controls endometrial decidualization and suggest primary cilia as a candidate therapeutic target for endometrial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ya-Ping Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yu-Ying He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Chen Liang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zeng-Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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14
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Overexpression of ErbB-1 (EGFR) Protein in Eutopic Endometrium of Infertile Women with Severe Ovarian Endometriosis during the ‘Implantation Window’ of Menstrual Cycle. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed3040022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The strong association between endometriosis and infertility is of high clinical significance. High proliferative bias in eutopic endometrium during the secretory phase is a hallmark of endometriosis, which may result in high occurrence of implantation failure and resultant infertility in endometriosis. The ErbB family of proteins regulates the proliferation capacity in the endometrium, potentially causing endometrial hostility to the implantation process in endometriosis. However, our knowledge regarding the involvement of the ErbB family in human endometrium during the window of implantation (WOI) in endometriosis-associated infertility is scant. In the present study, the cellular profiles of immunopositive ErbBs-1 to -4 in the endometrium of endometriosis-free, infertile women (Group 1; n = 11) and in eutopic endometrium of infertile women diagnosed with stage IV ovarian endometriosis (Group 2; n = 13) during the mid-secretory phase were compared using standardized guidelines. Computer-aided standardized combinative analysis of immunoprecipitation in different compartments revealed an overexpression of ErbB-1 in the epithelial, stromal and vascular compartments, along with marginally higher ErbB-3 expression (p < 0.06) in the vascular compartment and ErbB-4 expression (p < 0.05) in the glandular epithelium and stroma in the endometrium during the WOI in women with primary infertility associated with stage IV ovarian endometriosis compared with disease-free endometrium of control infertile women. It appears that changes in ErbBs in the eutopic endometrium during WOI induce anomalous proliferative, inflammatory and angiogenic activities in it, which can antagonize endometrial preparation for embryo implantation in endometriosis. This knowledge appears usable in strategizing methods for the treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility, as well as preempting the oncogenic potential of endometriosis.
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15
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Functional Implications of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Expression in Adenomyosis, Potential Targets for Endocrinological Therapy. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154407. [PMID: 35956024 PMCID: PMC9369051 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenomyosis is a common gynaecological disease associated with the presence of endometrial lesions in the uterine myometrium. Estrogens have been proven to be the crucial hormones driving the growth of adenomyosis. Little is known about the distinct mechanisms of progesterone action in adenomyosis. Hence, in this study, we decided to characterize the expression of all nuclear and membrane estrogen and progesterone receptors. Additionally, as a functional investigation, we monitored prolactin production and cell proliferation after estradiol and progesterone treatments. We confirmed the presence of all nuclear and membrane estrogen and progesterone receptors in adenomyotic lesions at gene and protein levels. The expression of membrane progesterone receptors α and β (mPRα, mPRβ) as well as estrogen receptor β (ERβ) was upregulated in adenomyosis compared to normal myometrium. Estradiol significantly increased adenomyotic cell proliferation. Progesterone and cAMP upregulated prolactin secretion in adenomyosis in the same pattern as in the normal endometrium. In the present study, we showed the functional link between estradiol action and adenomyotic cell proliferation, as well as progesterone and prolactin production. Our findings provide novel insights into the sex steroid receptor expression pattern and potential regulated pathways in adenomyosis, suggesting that all receptors play an important role in adenomyosis pathophysiology.
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16
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Tsuru A, Yoshie M, Kojima J, Yonekawa R, Azumi M, Kusama K, Nishi H, Tamura K. PGRMC1 Regulates Cellular Senescence via Modulating FOXO1 Expression in Decidualizing Endometrial Stromal Cells. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081046. [PMID: 36008941 PMCID: PMC9405960 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The appropriate differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) into decidual cells is required for embryo implantation and subsequent placentation into humans. Decidualization is accompanied by the appearance of senescent-like cells. We recently reported the secretory phase-specific downregulation of endometrial progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and enhanced decidualization upon PGRMC1 knockdown and inhibition in cultured ESCs. However, it remains unknown whether PGRMC1 is involved in cellular senescence during decidualization. Here, we showed that the small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of PGRMC1 and the inhibition of PGRMC1 by AG-205 increased the expression of the transcription factor forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and the senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity in cAMP analog- and progesterone-treated ESCs. Furthermore, the knockdown of FOXO1 repressed the decidual senescence induced by siRNA-based PGRMC1 knockdown or AG-205 treatment. Taken together, the decreased PGRMC1 expression in ESCs may accelerate decidualization and cellular senescence via the upregulation of FOXO1 expression for appropriate endometrial remodeling and embryo implantation during the secretory phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuya Tsuru
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan; (A.T.); (R.Y.); (M.A.); (K.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Mikihiro Yoshie
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan; (A.T.); (R.Y.); (M.A.); (K.K.); (K.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-42-676-4536
| | - Junya Kojima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan; (J.K.); (H.N.)
| | - Ryo Yonekawa
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan; (A.T.); (R.Y.); (M.A.); (K.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Mana Azumi
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan; (A.T.); (R.Y.); (M.A.); (K.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Kazuya Kusama
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan; (A.T.); (R.Y.); (M.A.); (K.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Hirotaka Nishi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan; (J.K.); (H.N.)
| | - Kazuhiro Tamura
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan; (A.T.); (R.Y.); (M.A.); (K.K.); (K.T.)
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17
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IL-27 promotes decidualization via the STAT3-ESR/PGR regulatory axis. J Reprod Immunol 2022; 151:103623. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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18
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Tang Z, Wang L, Huang Z, Guan H, Leung W, Chen X, Xia H, Zhang W. CD55 is upregulated by cAMP/PKA/AKT and modulates human decidualization via Src and ERK pathway and decidualization-related genes. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:256-268. [PMID: 35474595 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Decidualization is an essential process for embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy, and abnormal decidualization contributed to several pregnancy disorders like a miscarriage. The objective of this study was to explore the regulation and function of CD55 in human decidualization. By immunohistochemical staining, it was found that CD55 expression was higher in first-trimester decidua than in the endometrium. In both primary endometrial stromal cells and immortalized cell line T-hESCs, CD55 was upregulated by induction of in vitro decidualization with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and 8-Br-cAMP. During decidualization in vitro, CD55 was stimulated by 8-Br-cAMP in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, which was reversed by a PKA inhibitor H89 and partially by an AKT activator SC79. Knocking down CD55 expression diminished the expression of decidualization markers prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1), accompanied by inhibition of Src, aberrant activation of ERK and decreased expression of several decidualization-related genes, including FOXO1, EGFR, and STAT3. Furthermore, the decidua of unexplained miscarriage women and the endometrium of unexplained infertile women both exhibited decreased CD55 expression. Collectively, these findings revealed that 8-Br-cAMP promotes CD55 expression via PKA activation and AKT dephosphorylation, and decreased CD55 impairs decidualization by inactivation of Src, aberrant activation of ERK pathway, and compromised expression of decidualization-related genes, indicating that CD55 deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of spontaneous miscarriage and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijing Tang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zengshu Huang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyun Guan
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Wingting Leung
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuying Chen
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hexia Xia
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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19
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Hosseinirad H, Paktinat S, Mohanazadeh Falahieh F, Mirani M, Karamian A, Karamian A, Shams Mofarahe Z. Effect of 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 on decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells. Steroids 2022; 180:108978. [PMID: 35150696 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2022.108978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Decidualization is the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (eSC) to rounded, epithelioid-like cells during menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The impairment of this process leads to infertility and a variety of pregnancy disorders, including recurrent miscarriages and uteroplacental disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 (VD) on transformation of primary eSC into decidual cells. After isolation of eSC from biopsy samples of healthy fertile women and their characterization, the cells were cultured and propagated, and confluent cultures were decidualized for 12 days with progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) in presence or absence of VD. Prolactin (PRL) concentration was measured every 48 h in culture medium of eSCs, and ultrastructural changes were evaluated at the end of treatment. The results showed that PRL concentration in culture medium of eSCs was significantly increased in VD-treated decidual cells compared to control groups in a time-dependent manner. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that VD enhances many of the ultrastructural changes of decidualized cells including expansion of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), increased lipid droplets and high number of euchromatin round nuclei. These results suggest that VD may play an important role during early pregnancy by promoting cellular transformation associated with decidualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Hosseinirad
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrokh Paktinat
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Mirani
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Armin Karamian
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Amin Karamian
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shams Mofarahe
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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20
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Effects of Low Luteinizing Hormone During Ovarian Stimulation on Endometrial Gene Expression and Function - Transcriptome Analysis During the Implantation Window. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:1908-1920. [PMID: 35170000 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00875-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study explored the impact of low luteinizing hormone (LH) levels during ovarian stimulation on endometrial function. Based on previous studies by us and others, we divided the patients into low (< 4 IU/L), medium (4-10 IU/L), and high (> 10 IU/L) LH groups. The study utilized a comparison control group design with three groups of 10 patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied for functional annotation. By analyzing the exon differentially expressed genes in the endometrium of these three patient groups during the embryo implantation window, we found that when compared to the medium LH group, low LH downregulated endometrial cell metabolism, including mitochondrial-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (Normalized Enrichment Scores, NES = - 1.53) and glycolytic metabolism (NES = - 1.22), immune regulation, and autophagy (NES = - 1.58). Transcription factors were the main regulators of cell function. We found that MCM2 was probably involved in regulating the endometrial function induced by low LH. MCM2 target genes were enriched in low LH group, NES = - 1.54. Low LH, but not high LH, altered the endometrial receptivity assay gene expression in comparison to the medium LH. Our results indicated that low LH impacted the endometrial cell function, with a greater effect than high LH. This research provides timely and necessary data on the involvement of LH in important endometrial cellular processes and these data support further clinical development of endometrial receptivity.
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Garrido-Gomez T, Castillo-Marco N, Clemente-Ciscar M, Cordero T, Muñoz-Blat I, Amadoz A, Jimenez-Almazan J, Monfort-Ortiz R, Climent R, Perales-Marin A, Simon C. Disrupted PGR-B and ESR1 signaling underlies defective decidualization linked to severe preeclampsia. eLife 2021; 10:70753. [PMID: 34709177 PMCID: PMC8553341 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Decidualization of the uterine mucosa drives the maternal adaptation to invasion by the placenta. Appropriate depth of placental invasion is needed to support a healthy pregnancy; shallow invasion is associated with the development of severe preeclampsia (sPE). Maternal contribution to sPE through failed decidualization is an important determinant of placental phenotype. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the in vivo defect linking decidualization to sPE is unknown. Methods: Global RNA sequencing was applied to obtain the transcriptomic profile of endometrial biopsies collected from nonpregnant women who suffer sPE in a previous pregnancy and women who did not develop this condition. Samples were randomized in two cohorts, the training and the test set, to identify the fingerprinting encoding defective decidualization in sPE and its subsequent validation. Gene Ontology enrichment and an interaction network were performed to deepen in pathways impaired by genetic dysregulation in sPE. Finally, the main modulators of decidualization, estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor B (PGR-B), were assessed at the level of gene expression and protein abundance. Results: Here, we discover the footprint encoding this decidualization defect comprising 120 genes—using global gene expression profiling in decidua from women who developed sPE in a previous pregnancy. This signature allowed us to effectively segregate samples into sPE and control groups. ESR1 and PGR were highly interconnected with the dynamic network of the defective decidualization fingerprint. ESR1 and PGR-B gene expression and protein abundance were remarkably disrupted in sPE. Conclusions: Thus, the transcriptomic signature of impaired decidualization implicates dysregulated hormonal signaling in the decidual endometria in women who developed sPE. These findings reveal a potential footprint that could be leveraged for a preconception or early prenatal screening of sPE risk, thus improving prevention and early treatments. Funding: This work has been supported by the grant PI19/01659 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) from the Spanish Carlos III Institute awarded to TGG. NCM was supported by the PhD program FDGENT/2019/008 from the Spanish Generalitat Valenciana. IMB was supported by the PhD program PRE2019-090770 and funding was provided by the grant RTI2018-094946-B-100 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation with CS as principal investigator. This research was funded partially by Igenomix S.L.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rogelio Monfort-Ortiz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University and Polytechnic La Fe Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Reyes Climent
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University and Polytechnic La Fe Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alfredo Perales-Marin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University and Polytechnic La Fe Hospital, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Simon
- Igenomix Foundation, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain.,Obstetrics & Gynecology, BIDMC Harvard University, Boston, United States
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Stadtmauer DJ, Wagner GP. Single-cell analysis of prostaglandin E2-induced human decidual cell in vitro differentiation: a minimal ancestral deciduogenic signal†. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:155-172. [PMID: 34591094 PMCID: PMC8757638 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The decidua is a hallmark of reproduction in many placental mammals. Differentiation of decidual stromal cells is known to be induced by progesterone and the cyclic AMP/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) pathway. Several candidates have been identified as the physiological stimulus for adenylyl cyclase activation, but their relative importance remains unclear. To bypass this uncertainty, the standard approach for in vitro experiments uses membrane-permeable cAMP and progestin. We phylogenetically infer that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) likely was the signal that ancestrally induced decidualization in conjunction with progesterone. This suggests that PGE2 and progestin should be able to activate the core gene regulatory network of decidual cells. To test this prediction, we performed a genome-wide study of gene expression in human endometrial fibroblasts decidualized with PGE2 and progestin. Comparison to a cAMP-based protocol revealed shared activation of core decidual genes and decreased induction of senescence-associated genes. Single-cell transcriptomics of PGE2-mediated decidualization revealed a distinct, early-activated state transitioning to a differentiated decidual state. PGE2-mediated decidualization was found to depend upon progestin-dependent induction of PGE2 receptor 2 (PTGER2) which in turn leads to PKA activation upon PGE2 stimulation. Progesterone-dependent induction of PTGER2 is absent in opossum, an outgroup taxon of placental mammals which is incapable of decidualization. Together, these findings suggest that the origin of decidualization involved the evolution of progesterone-dependent activation of the PGE2/PTGER2/PKA axis, facilitating entry into a PKA-dominant rather than AKT-dominant cellular state. We propose the use of PGE2 for in vitro decidualization as an alternative to 8-Br-cAMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Stadtmauer
- Correspondence: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. Tel: 203-737-3091; E-mail: (Günter P. Wagner); Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. Tel: 203-737-3092; E-mail: (Daniel J. Stadtmauer)
| | - Günter P Wagner
- Correspondence: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. Tel: 203-737-3091; E-mail: (Günter P. Wagner); Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. Tel: 203-737-3092; E-mail: (Daniel J. Stadtmauer)
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Fraser R, Smith R, Lin CJ. A 3D endometrial organotypic model simulating the acute inflammatory decidualisation initiation phase with epithelial induction of the key endometrial receptivity marker, integrin αVβ3. Hum Reprod Open 2021; 2021:hoab034. [PMID: 34532597 PMCID: PMC8438487 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoab034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to develop a simplified physiological in vitro system representing the key cell-types associated with a receptive endometrial phenotype? SUMMARY ANSWER We present a new concept to investigate endometrial receptivity, with a 3D organotypic co-culture model to simulate an early and transient acute autoinflammatory decidual status that resolves in the induction of a receptive endometrial phenotype. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Embryo implantation is dependent on a receptive uterine environment. Ovarian steroids drive post-ovulation structural and functional changes in the endometrium, which becomes transiently receptive for an implanting conceptus, termed the ‘window of implantation’, and dysregulation of endometrial receptivity is implicated in a range of reproductive, obstetric, and gynaecological disorders and malignancies. The interactions that take place within the uterine microenvironment during this time are not fully understood, and human studies are constrained by a lack of access to uterine tissue from specific time-points during the menstrual cycle. Physiologically relevant in vitro model systems are therefore fundamental for conducting investigations to better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling endometrial receptivity. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We conducted an in vitro cell culture study using human cell lines and primary human cells isolated from endometrial biopsy tissue. The biopsy tissue samples were obtained from three women attending gynaecological outpatient departments in NHS Lothian. The work was carried out between December 2016 and April 2019, at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS An endometrial stromal cell (ESC) line, and endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) isolated from endometrial biopsy tissue and expanded in vitro by conditional reprogramming, were used throughout the study. Immunocytochemical and flow cytometric analyses were used to confirm epithelial phenotype following conditional reprogramming of EECs. To construct an endometrial organotypic co-culture model, ESCs were embedded within a 3D growth factor-reduced Matrigel structure, with a single layer of conditionally reprogrammed EECs seeded on top. Cells were stimulated with increasing doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate, cAMP and oestradiol, in order to induce ESC decidual transformation and endometrial receptivity. Decidual response and the induction of a receptive epithelial phenotype were assessed by immunocytochemical detection and quantitative in-cell western analyses, respectively. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A transient up-regulation of the interleukin-33 receptor protein, ST2L, was observed in ESCs, indicating a transient autoinflammatory decidual response to the hormonal stimulation, known to induce receptivity gene expression in the overlying epithelium. Hormonal stimulation increased the EEC protein levels of the key marker of endometrial receptivity, integrin αVβ3 (n = 8; *P < 0.05; ***P < 0.0001). To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a dedicated endometrial organotypic model, which has been developed to investigate endometrial receptivity, via the recapitulation of an early decidual transitory acute autoinflammatory phase and induction of an epithelial phenotypic change, to represent a receptive endometrial status. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This simplified in vitro ESC-EEC co-culture system may be only partly representative of more complex in vivo conditions. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The 3D endometrial organotypic model presented here may offer a valuable tool for investigating a range of reproductive, obstetric, and gynaecological disorders, to improve outcomes for assisted reproductive technologies, and for the development of advances in contraceptive methods. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported in part by a Medical Research Council Centre Grant (project reference MR/N022556/1). R.F. was the recipient of a Moray Endowment award and a Barbour Watson Trust award. C.-J.L. is a Royal Society of Edinburgh Personal Research Fellow, funded by the Scottish Government. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fraser
- The University of Edinburgh, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - R Smith
- The University of Edinburgh, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - C-J Lin
- The University of Edinburgh, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
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25
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Chae SA, Son JS, Du M. Prenatal exercise in fetal development: a placental perspective. FEBS J 2021; 289:3058-3071. [PMID: 34449982 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Maternal obesity (MO) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are common in Western societies, which impair fetal development and predispose offspring to metabolic dysfunction. Placenta is the organ linking the mother to her fetus, and MO suppresses the development of vascular system and expression of nutrient transporters in placenta, thereby affecting fetal development. For maintaining its proper physiological function, placenta is energy demanding, which is met through extensive oxidative phosphorylation. However, the oxidative capacity of placenta is suppressed due to MO and GDM. Recently, several studies showed that physical activity during pregnancy enhances oxidative metabolism and improves placental function, which might be partially mediated by exerkines, referring to cytokines elicited by exercise. In addition, as an endocrine organ, placenta secretes cytokines, termed placentokines, including apelin, superoxide dismutase 3, irisin, and adiponectin, which mediate fetal development and maternal metabolism. Possible molecular mechanisms linking maternal exercise and placentokines to placental and fetal development are further discussed. As an emerging field, up to now, available studies are limited, mostly conducted in rodents. Given the epidemics of obesity and metabolic disorders, as well as the prevalence of maternal sedentary lifestyle, the effects of exercise of pregnant women on placental function and placentokine secretion, as well as their impacts on fetal development, need to be further examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Ah Chae
- Nutrigenomics and Growth Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jun Seok Son
- Laboratory of Perinatal Kinesioepigenetics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Min Du
- Nutrigenomics and Growth Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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Šućurović S, Nikolić T, Brosens JJ, Mulac-Jeričević B. Analysis of heart and neural crest derivatives-expressed protein 2 (HAND2)-progesterone interactions in peri-implantation endometrium†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:1111-1121. [PMID: 31982918 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Implantation is restricted to a narrow window when the local endometrial microenvironment is supportive of the invading embryo. The ovarian steroid hormones estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) are principal regulators of uterine receptivity. Suppression of E-dependent proliferation of luminal epithelium (LE) by P is mandatory for embryo implantation. Here, we report that the balance of E receptor α (ERα) and P receptors (PR) activity controls HAND2 expression, a key transcription factor that determines the fate of the implanting embryo and thereby pregnancy outcome. As a model, we used wild-type mice as well as mice in which either both PR isoforms or the A-isoform was genetically ablated (PRKO and PRAKO, respectively). Detailed spatiotemporal analyses of PR, HAND2, and ERα expression at implantation site demonstrated co-expression of HAND2 and PR but not ERα. Furthermore, in hormonally treated ovariectomized WT, PRAKO and PRKO mice, E suppresses endometrial HAND2 expression. Adding P together with E partially rescues HAND2 expression in WT, but not PRAKO and PRKO animals. Therefore, infertility in PRAKO mice is at least in part associated with the loss of PR-A-regulated HAND2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Šućurović
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia and
| | - Tamara Nikolić
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia and
| | - Jan J Brosens
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Biserka Mulac-Jeričević
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia and
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Ahn J, Yoon MJ, Hong SH, Cha H, Lee D, Koo HS, Ko JE, Lee J, Oh S, Jeon NL, Kang YJ. Three-dimensional microengineered vascularised endometrium-on-a-chip. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2720-2731. [PMID: 34363466 PMCID: PMC8450871 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can we reconstitute physiologically relevant 3-dimensional (3D) microengineered endometrium in-vitro model? SUMMARY ANSWER Our representative microengineered vascularised endometrium on-a-chip closely recapitulates the endometrial microenvironment that consists of three distinct layers including epithelial cells, stromal fibroblasts and endothelial cells in a 3D extracellular matrix in a spatiotemporal manner. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Organ-on-a-chip, a multi-channel 3D microfluidic cell culture system, is widely used to investigate physiologically relevant responses of organ systems. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The device consists of five microchannels that are arrayed in parallel and partitioned by array of micropost. Two central channels are for 3D culture and morphogenesis of stromal fibroblast and endothelial cells. In addition, the outermost channel is for the culture of additional endometrial stromal fibroblasts that secrete biochemical cues to induce directional pro-angiogenic responses of endothelial cells. To seed endometrial epithelial cells, on Day 8, Ishikawa cells were introduced to one of the two medium channels to adhere on the gel surface. After that, the microengineered endometrium was cultured for an additional 5–6 days (total ∼ 14 days) for the purpose of each experiment. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Microfluidic 3D cultures were maintained in endothelial growth Medium 2 with or without oestradiol and progesterone. Some cultures additionally received exogenous pro-angiogenic factors. For the three distinct layers of microengineered endometrium-on-a-chip, the epithelium, stroma and blood vessel characteristics and drug response of each distinct layer in the microfluidic model were assessed morphologically and biochemically. The quantitative measurement of endometrial drug delivery was evaluated by the permeability coefficients. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We established microengineered vascularised endometrium-on-chip, which consists of three distinct layers: epithelium, stroma and blood vessels. Our endometrium model faithfully recapitulates in-vivo endometrial vasculo-angiogenesis and hormonal responses displaying key features of the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the effect of the emergency contraception drug levonorgestrel was evaluated in our model demonstrating increased endometrial permeability and blood vessel regression in a dose-dependent manner. We finally provided a proof of concept of the multi-layered endometrium model for embryo implantation, which aids a better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this process. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This report is largely an in-vitro study and it would be beneficial to validate our findings using human primary endometrial cells. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our 3D microengineered vascularised endometrium-on-a-chip provides a new in-vitro approach to drug screening and drug discovery by mimicking the complicated behaviours of human endometrium. Thus, we suggest our model as a tool for addressing critical challenges and unsolved problems in female diseases, such as endometriosis, uterine cancer and female infertility, in a personalised manner. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work is supported by funding from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) to Y.J.K. (No. 2018R1C1B6003), to J.A. (No. 2020R1I1A1A01074136) and to H.S.K. (No. 2020R1C1C100787212). The authors report no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungho Ahn
- Department of Biochemistry, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.,Research Competency Milestones Program of School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ji Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Hwa Hong
- CHA Fertility Center Bundang, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwijae Cha
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Danbi Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa Seon Koo
- CHA Fertility Center Bundang, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Ko
- CHA Fertility Center Bundang, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungseub Lee
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojung Oh
- AMOREPACIFIC Research and Development Center, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Noo Li Jeon
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Jung Kang
- Department of Biochemistry, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.,CHA Fertility Center Bundang, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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Ticconi C, Di Simone N, Campagnolo L, Fazleabas A. Clinical consequences of defective decidualization. Tissue Cell 2021; 72:101586. [PMID: 34217128 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Decidualization is characterized by a series of genetic, metabolic, morphological, biochemical, vascular and immune changes occurring in the endometrial stroma in response to the implanting embryo or even before conception and involves the stromal cells of the endometrium. It is a fundamental reproductive event occurring in mammalian species with hemochorial placentation. A growing body of experimental and clinical evidence strongly suggests that defective or disrupted decidualization contributes to the establishment of an inappropriate maternal-fetal interface. This has relevant clinical consequences, ranging from recurrent implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss in early pregnancy to several significant complications of advanced gestation. Moreover, recent evidence indicates that selected diseases of the endometrium, such as chronic endometritis and endometriosis, can have a detrimental impact on the decidualization response in the endometrium and may help explain some aspects of the reduced reproductive outcome associated with these conditions. Further research efforts are needed to fully understand the biomolecular mechanisms ans events underlying an abnormal decidualization response. This will permit the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies aimed to improve the likelihood of achieveing a successful pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Ticconi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Di Simone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Asgerally Fazleabas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.
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Dambaeva S, Bilal M, Schneiderman S, Germain A, Fernandez E, Kwak-Kim J, Beaman K, Coulam C. Decidualization score identifies an endometrial dysregulation in samples from women with recurrent pregnancy losses and unexplained infertility. F S Rep 2021; 2:95-103. [PMID: 34223279 PMCID: PMC8244268 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfre.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study decidualization-associated endometrial factors. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study to compare endometrial gene expression patterns in women experiencing reproductive failure including recurrent pregnancy loss or unexplained infertility versus fertile controls. SETTING University Reproductive Medicine Center. PATIENTS Women experiencing recurrent reproductive failure including recurrent pregnancy loss or unexplained infertility (n = 42) and fertile controls (n = 18). INTERVENTIONS Endometrial biopsy samples were analyzed with targeted ribonucleic acid sequencing via next-generation sequencing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary end point measurements were the expression of genes important for endometrial transformation during decidualization measured singly and in a combined/cumulative score approach. The secondary end point measurements were receiver operating curve analysis and comparisons between the specific biomarkers. RESULTS The comparison revealed differential expression of factors associated with decidualization, tissue homeostasis, and immune regulation: FOXO1, GZMB, IL15, SCNN1A, SGK1, and SLC2A1. A combined evaluation of these 6 signature factors was designated as a decidualization score in which the maximal score was "6" and the minimal was "0". Among controls, 89% of the samples had a score ≥5 and 11% had a score of "4". A total of 76% of samples in the patient group had scores ≤4 and 19% had the lowest score of "0". A decidualization score <4 provided evidence of abnormality in the decidualization process with a sensitivity of 76% (95% CI 61%-88%) and specificity of 89% (95% CI 65%-99%). CONCLUSIONS Decidualization scoring can determine whether the endometrial molecular profile is implantation-friendly. Further validation of this testing approach is necessary to determine a particular patient population in whom it could be used for selecting patients that require therapeutic actions to improve endometrial conditions prior to the in vitro fertilization procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Dambaeva
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, the Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mahmood Bilal
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, the Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sylvia Schneiderman
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, the Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | | | | | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, Illinois
| | - Kenneth Beaman
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, the Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - Carolyn Coulam
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, the Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
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30
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Karahoda R, Kallol S, Groessl M, Ontsouka E, Anderle P, Fluck C, Staud F, Albrecht C. Revisiting Steroidogenic Pathways in the Human Placenta and Primary Human Trophoblast Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041704. [PMID: 33567726 PMCID: PMC7915605 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormones play a crucial role in supporting a successful pregnancy and ensuring proper fetal development. The placenta is one of the principal tissues in steroid production and metabolism, expressing a vast range of steroidogenic enzymes. Nevertheless, a comprehensive characterization of steroidogenic pathways in the human placenta and potential developmental changes occurring during gestation are poorly understood. Furthermore, the specific contribution of trophoblast cells in steroid release is largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to (i) identify gestational age-dependent changes in the gene expression of key steroidogenic enzymes and (ii) explore the role of trophoblast cells in steroid biosynthesis and metabolism. Quantitative and Droplet Digital PCR analysis of 12 selected enzymes was carried out in the first trimester (n = 13) and term (n = 20) human placentas. Primary trophoblast cells (n = 5) isolated from human term placentas and choriocarcinoma-derived cell lines (BeWo, BeWo b30 clone, and JEG-3) were further screened for gene expression of enzymes involved in placental synthesis/metabolism of steroids. Finally, de novo steroid synthesis by primary human trophoblasts was evaluated, highlighting the functional activity of steroidogenic enzymes in these cells. Collectively, we provide insights into the expression patterns of steroidogenic enzymes as a function of gestational age and delineate the cellular origin of steroidogenesis in the human placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rona Karahoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;
| | - Sampada Kallol
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (S.K.); (E.O.)
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Groessl
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Edgar Ontsouka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (S.K.); (E.O.)
| | - Pascale Anderle
- Sitem Center for Translational Medicine and Biomedical Entrepreneurship and Sitem-Insel AG, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 3, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Christa Fluck
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (C.A.); Tel.: +420-495-067-407 (F.S.); Tel.: +413-163-141-08 (C.A.)
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (S.K.); (E.O.)
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (C.A.); Tel.: +420-495-067-407 (F.S.); Tel.: +413-163-141-08 (C.A.)
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Mishra A, Ashary N, Sharma R, Modi D. Extracellular vesicles in embryo implantation and disorders of the endometrium. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 85:e13360. [PMID: 33064348 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Implantation of the embryo is a rate-limiting step for a successful pregnancy, and it requires an intricate crosstalk between the embryo and the endometrium. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed, nano-sized structures produced by cells to mediate cell to cell communication and modulate a diverse set of biological processes. Herein, we review the involvement of EVs in the process of embryo implantation and endometrial diseases. EVs have been isolated from uterine fluid, cultured endometrial epithelial/stromal cells and trophectodermal cells. The endometrial epithelial and stromal/decidual cell-derived EVs and its cargo are internalized bythe trophoblast cells, and they regulate a diverse set of genes involved in adhesion, invasion and migration. Conversely, the embryo-derived EVs and its cargo are internalized by epithelial and immune cells of the endometrium for biosensing and immunomodulation required for successful implantation. EVs have also been shown to play a role in infertility, recurrent implantation failure, endometriosis, endometritis and endometrial cancer. Further research should set a stage for EVs as non-invasive "liquid biopsy" tools for assessment of endometrial health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Mishra
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Mumbai, India
| | - Nancy Ashary
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Mumbai, India
| | - Richa Sharma
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Mumbai, India
| | - Deepak Modi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Mumbai, India
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32
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Immune Tolerance of the Human Decidua. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10020351. [PMID: 33477602 PMCID: PMC7831321 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is necessary for implantation, complete development of the placenta, and a successful pregnancy. The endometrium undergoes repeated cycles of proliferation, decidualization (differentiation), and shedding during each menstrual cycle. The endometrium—including stromal, epithelial, vascular endothelial, and immune cells—is both functionally and morphologically altered in response to progesterone, causing changes in the number and types of immune cells. Immune cells make up half of the total number of endometrial cells during implantation and menstruation. Surprisingly, immune tolerant cells in the endometrium (uterine natural killer cells, T cells, and macrophages) have two conflicting functions: to protect the body by eliminating pathogenic microorganisms and other pathogens and to foster immunological change to tolerate the embryo during pregnancy. One of the key molecules involved in this control is the cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15), which is secreted by endometrial stromal cells. Recently, it has been reported that IL-15 is directly regulated by the transcription factor heart- and neural crest derivatives-expressed protein 2 in endometrial stromal cells. In this review, we outline the significance of the endometrium and immune cell population during menstruation and early pregnancy and describe the factors involved in immune tolerance and their involvement in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.
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33
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Chen DB, Magness RR. Vascular smooth muscle cells during spiral artery remodeling in early human pregnancy†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:252-254. [PMID: 33300560 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Bao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ronald R Magness
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perinatal Research Laboratories, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Ma Y, Yu X, Zhang L, Liu J, Shao X, Li YX, Wang YL. Uterine decidual niche modulates the progressive dedifferentiation of spiral artery vascular smooth muscle cells during human pregnancy†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:624-637. [PMID: 33336235 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine spiral artery (SPA) remodeling is a crucial event during pregnancy to provide enough blood supply to maternal-fetal interface and meet the demands of the growing fetus. Along this process, the dynamic change and the fate of spiral artery vascular smooth muscle cells (SPA-VSMCs) have long been debatable. In the present study, we analyzed the cell features of SPA-VSMCs at different stages of vascular remodeling in human early pregnancy, and we demonstrated the progressively morphological change of SPA-VSMCs at un-remodeled (Un-Rem), remodeling, and fully remodeled (Fully-Rem) stages, indicating the extravillous trophoblast (EVT)-independent and EVT-dependent phases of SPA-VSMC dedifferentiation. In vitro experiments in VSMC cell line revealed the efficient roles of decidual stromal cells, decidual natural killer cells (dNK), decidual macrophages, and EVTs in inducing VSMCs dedifferentiation. Importantly, the potential transformation of VSMC toward CD56+ dNKs was displayed by immunofluorescence-DNA in-situ hybridization-proximity ligation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays for H3K4dime modification in the myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11) promoter region. The findings clearly illustrate a cascade regulation of the progressive dedifferentiation of SPA-VSMCs by multiple cell types in uterine decidual niche and provide new evidences to reveal the destination of SPA-VSMCs during vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeling Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lanmei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The 306 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Xia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Lang F, Rajaxavier J, Singh Y, Brucker SY, Salker MS. The Enigmatic Role of Serum & Glucocorticoid Inducible Kinase 1 in the Endometrium. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:556543. [PMID: 33195190 PMCID: PMC7609842 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.556543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) is subject to genetic up-regulation by diverse stimulators including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, dehydration, ischemia, radiation and hyperosmotic shock. To become active, the expressed kinase requires phosphorylation, which is accomplished by PI3K/PDK1 and mTOR dependent signaling. SGK1 enhances the expression/activity of various transport proteins including Na+/K+-ATPase as well as ion-, glucose-, and amino acid- carriers in the plasma membrane. SGK1 can further up-regulate diverse ion channels, such as Na+-, Ca2+-, K+- and Cl- channels. SGK1 regulates expression/activity of a wide variety of transcription factors (such as FKHRL1/Foxo3a, β-catenin, NFκB and p53). SGK1 thus contributes to the regulation of transport, glycolysis, angiogenesis, cell survival, immune regulation, cell migration, tissue fibrosis and tissue calcification. In this review we summarized the current findings that SGK1 plays a crucial function in the regulation of endometrial function. Specifically, it plays a dual role in the regulation of endometrial receptivity necessary for implantation and, subsequently in pregnancy maintenance. Furthermore, fetal programming of blood pressure regulation requires maternal SGK1. Underlying mechanisms are, however, still ill-defined and there is a substantial need for additional information to fully understand the role of SGK1 in the orchestration of embryo implantation, embryo survival and fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Lang
- Department of Physiology, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janet Rajaxavier
- Research Institute of Women’s Health, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yogesh Singh
- Research Institute of Women’s Health, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Y. Brucker
- Research Institute of Women’s Health, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Madhuri S. Salker
- Research Institute of Women’s Health, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
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Zhang Q, Ni T, Dang Y, Ding L, Jiang J, Li J, Xia M, Yu N, Ma J, Yan J, Chen ZJ. MiR-148a-3p may contribute to flawed decidualization in recurrent implantation failure by modulating HOXC8. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2535-2544. [PMID: 32772270 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01900-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate whether miR-148a-3p overexpression is associated with disrupted decidualization of recurrent implantation failure (RIF). METHODS Endometrial miRNA and mRNA expression profiles during the implantation window derived from women with and without RIF were identified using microarray and RT-qPCR. Immortalized human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were cultured for proliferation and in vitro decidualization assays after enhancing miR-148a-3p expression or inhibiting putative target gene homeobox C8 (HOXC8) expression. RT-qPCR, western blot, and luciferase reporter assays were used to confirm the relationship between miR-148a-3p and HOXC8 gene. RESULTS MiR-148a-3p was significantly upregulated in RIF endometrial tissues. Forced expression of miR-148a-3p notably attenuated HESC in vitro decidualization. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR-148a-3p directly bounds to the HOXC8 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) and suppressed HOXC8 expressions in both mRNA and protein levels. Further investigations demonstrated that inhibition of HOXC8 in HESCs induced similar effects on decidual process as those induced by miR-148a-3p overexpression. CONCLUSION Taken together, our findings suggested that elevated miR-148a-3p might account for flawed decidualization in RIF by negatively regulating HOXC8, raising the possibility that miR-148a-3p might be a novel therapeutic target in RIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Tianxiang Ni
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yujie Dang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Lingling Ding
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Jingjing Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Mingdi Xia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Na Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Jinlong Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Junhao Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. .,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. .,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. .,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetic, Shanghai, 200127, China.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
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Gnecco JS, Ding T, Smith C, Lu J, Bruner-Tran KL, Osteen KG. Hemodynamic forces enhance decidualization via endothelial-derived prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin in a microfluidic model of the human endometrium. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:702-714. [PMID: 30789661 PMCID: PMC6443116 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does the uterine vasculature play a localized role in promoting stromal cell decidualization in the human endometrium? SUMMARY ANSWER Our study demonstrated that hemodynamic forces induced secretion of specific endothelial cell-derived prostanoids that enhanced endometrial perivascular decidualization via a paracrine mechanism. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Differentiation of stromal cell fibroblasts into the specialized decidua of the placenta is a progesterone-dependent process; however, histologically, it has long been noted that the first morphological signs of decidualization appear in the perivascular stroma. These observations suggest that the human endometrial vasculature plays an active role in promoting stromal differentiation. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Primary human endometrial stromal cells were co-cultured for 14 days with primary uterine microvascular endothelial cells within a microfluidic Organ-on-Chip model of the endometrium. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Cultures were maintained with estradiol and a progestin, with or without continuous laminar perfusion to mimic hemodynamic forces derived from the blood flow. Some cultures additionally received exogenous agonist-mediated challenges. Decidualization in the microfluidic model was assessed morphologically and biochemically. ELISA was used to examine the culture effluent for expression of decidualization markers and prostaglandins. Immunofluorescence was used to monitor cyclooxygenase-2 expression in association with decidualization. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A significantly enhanced stromal decidualization response was observed in the co-cultures when the endothelial cells were stimulated with hemodynamic forces (e.g. laminar shear stress) derived from controlled microfluidic perfusion (<0.001). Furthermore, the enhanced progestin-driven stromal differentiation was mediated via cyclooxygenase-2 and the paracrine action of prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin. Altogether, these translational findings indicate that the vascular endothelium plays a key physiologic role during the early events of perivascular decidualization in the human endometrium. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This report is largely an in vitro study. Although we were able to experimentally mimic hemodynamic forces in our microfluidic model, we have not yet determined the contribution of additional cell types to the decidualization process or determined the precise physiological rates of shear stress that the microvasculature of the endometrium undergoes in vivo. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Identification of specific endothelial-derived prostaglandins and their role during endometrial reproductive processes may have clinical utility as therapeutic targets for reproductive disorders such as infertility, endometriosis, adenomyosis, pre-eclampsia and poor pregnancy outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Veterans Affairs (I01 BX002853), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Exploration (OPP1159411), the Environmental Toxicology Training Grant (NIH T32 ES007028) and the Environmental Protection Agency STAR Center Grant (83573601). CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors report no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan S Gnecco
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Lead Contact
| | - Tianbing Ding
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Caroline Smith
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jacky Lu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kaylon L Bruner-Tran
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kevin G Osteen
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Veteran Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville TN, USA
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Novel nonclassic progesterone receptor PGRMC1 pulldown-precipitated proteins reveal a key role during human decidualization. Fertil Steril 2020; 113:1050-1066.e7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Graubner FR, Tavares Pereira M, Boos A, Kowalewski MP. Canine decidualization in vitro: extracellular matrix modification, progesterone mediated effects and selective blocking of prostaglandin E2 receptors. J Reprod Dev 2020; 66:319-329. [PMID: 32201411 PMCID: PMC7470904 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2019-157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we established an in vitro model with immortalized dog uterine stromal (DUS) cells for investigations into canine-specific decidualization. Their capability to decidualize was assessed with cAMP and prostaglandin (PG) E2. Here, we show that the effects of PGE2 are mediated through both of the cAMP-mediating PGE2 receptors (PTGER2/4). Their functional inhibition suppressed gene expression of PRLR and PGR in DUS cells. We also assessed the effects of cAMP and PGE2 on selected extracellular matrix components and CX43, and showed that cAMP, but not PGE2, increases COL4, extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) and CX43 protein levels during in vitro decidualization, indicating a mesenchymal-epithelial decidual transformation in these cells. Thus, although PGE2 is involved in decidualization, it does not appear to regulate extracellular matrix. Further, the role of progesterone (P4) during in vitro decidualization was addressed. P4 upregulated PRLR and PGR in DUS cells, but these effects were not influenced by PGE2; both P4 and PGE2 hormones appeared to act independently. P4 did not affect IGF1 expression, which was upregulated by PGE2, however, it suppressed expression of IGF2, also in the presence of PGE2. Similarly, P4 did not affect PGE2 synthase (PTGES), but in the presence of PGE2 it increased PTGER2 levels and, regardless of the presence of PGE2, suppressed expression of PTGER4. Our results indicate a reciprocal regulatory loop between PGE2 and P4 during canine in vitro decidualization: whereas P4 may be involved in regulating PGE2-mediated decidualization by regulating the availability of its receptors, PGE2 regulates PGR levels in a manner dependent on PTGER2 and -4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix R Graubner
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Tavares Pereira
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alois Boos
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mariusz P Kowalewski
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Owusu-Akyaw A, Krishnamoorthy K, Goldsmith LT, Morelli SS. The role of mesenchymal-epithelial transition in endometrial function. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 25:114-133. [PMID: 30407544 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human uterine endometrium undergoes significant remodeling and regeneration on a rapid and repeated basis, after parturition, menstruation, and in some cases, injury. The ability of the adult endometrium to undergo cyclic regeneration and differentiation/decidualization is essential for successful human reproduction. Multiple key physiologic functions of the endometrium require the cells of this tissue to transition between mesenchymal and epithelial phenotypes, processes known as mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although MET/EMT processes have been widely characterized in embryonic development and in the context of malignancy, mounting evidence demonstrates the importance of MET/EMT in allowing the endometrium the phenotypic and functional flexibility necessary for successful decidualization, regeneration/re-epithelialization and embryo implantation. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the observations concerning MET and EMT and their regulation in physiologic uterine functions, specifically in the context of endometrial regeneration, decidualization and embryo implantation. SEARCH METHODS Using variations of the search terms 'mesenchymal-epithelial transition', 'mesenchymal-epithelial transformation', 'epithelial-mesenchymal transition', 'epithelial-mesenchymal transformation', 'uterus', 'endometrial regeneration', 'endometrial decidualization', 'embryo implantation', a search of the published literature between 1970 and 2018 was conducted using the PubMed database. In addition, we searched the reference lists of all publications included in this review for additional relevant original studies. OUTCOMES Multiple studies demonstrate that endometrial stromal cells contribute to the regeneration of both the stromal and epithelial cell compartments of the uterus, implicating a role for MET in mechanisms responsible for endometrial regeneration and re-epithelialization. During decidualization, endometrial stromal cells undergo morphologic and functional changes consistent with MET in order to accommodate embryo implantation. Under the influence of estradiol, progesterone and multiple other factors, endometrial stromal fibroblasts acquire epithelioid characteristics, such as expanded cytoplasm and rough endoplasmic reticulum required for greater secretory capacity, rounded nuclei, increased expression of junctional proteins which allow for increased cell-cell communication, and a reorganized actin cytoskeleton. During embryo implantation, in response to both maternal and embryonic-derived signals, the maternal luminal epithelium as well as the decidualized stromal cells acquire the mesenchymal characteristics of increased migration/motility, thus undergoing EMT in order to accommodate the invading trophoblast. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Overall, the findings support important roles for MET/EMT in multiple endometrial functions required for successful reproduction. The endometrium may be considered a unique wound healing model, given its ability to repeatedly undergo repair without scarring or loss of function. Future studies to elucidate how MET/EMT mechanisms may contribute to scar-free endometrial repair will have considerable potential to advance studies of wound healing mechanisms in other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amma Owusu-Akyaw
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Kavitha Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Laura T Goldsmith
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Sara S Morelli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
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Kowalewski MP, Tavares Pereira M, Kazemian A. Canine conceptus-maternal communication during maintenance and termination of pregnancy, including the role of species-specific decidualization. Theriogenology 2020; 150:329-338. [PMID: 32143817 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Among domestic animal species, the reproductive biology of the dog belongs to the most peculiar. This includes the conceptus-maternal communication and endocrine mechanisms involved in maintenance of pregnancy. Dogs fully depend on luteal progesterone (P4) throughout pregnancy, with similar steroid secretion patterns in pregnant and non-pregnant bitches until prepartum luteolysis. Thus, dogs lack the classical recognition of pregnancy. The luteal P4 is the most important hormone regulating the onset and maintenance of pregnancy in previously estrogenized bitches. Although the canine uterus is exposed to high P4 levels, decidualization is not spontaneous but induced by the presence of embryos. Following implantation, decidualization continues, associated with development of the invasive endotheliochorial placenta, leading to establishment of maternal decidual cells expressing the nuclear P4 receptor (PGR). Consequently, although not producing steroids, the canine placenta remains highly sensitive to circulating ovarian steroids. The placental conceptus-maternal communication is responsible for the maintenance of pregnancy, with functional withdrawal of PGR evoking a luteolytic cascade with prepartum PGF2α release. The fetal trophoblast is the major source of prepartum placental prostaglandins. This conceptus-maternal communication is unique to the dog and has clinical implications. Due to luteal steroids, there is no prepartum estradiol increase. Elevated cortisol levels are observed irregularly. This emphasizes the unique character of canine reproductive physiology and the challenges in transferring translational research to the dog. Further research is needed for better understanding of canine reproduction and improving clinical protocols, including the latest results obtained from applying modern laboratory technologies such as the transcriptomic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Kowalewski
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - M Tavares Pereira
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A Kazemian
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Muruganandan S, Fan X, Dhal S, Nayak NR. Development of A 3D Tissue Slice Culture Model for the Study of Human Endometrial Repair and Regeneration. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10010136. [PMID: 31947662 PMCID: PMC7022976 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human endometrium undergoes sequential phases of shedding of the upper functionalis zone during menstruation, followed by regeneration of the functionalis zone from the remaining basalis zone cells, and secretory differentiation under the influence of the ovarian steroid hormones estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). This massive tissue regeneration after menstruation is believed to arise from endometrial stromal and epithelial stem cells residing in the basal layer of the endometrium. Although many endometrial pathologies are thought to be associated with defects in these stem cells, studies on their identification and regulation are limited, primarily due to lack of easily accessible animal models, as these processes are unique to primates. Here we describe a robust new method to study endometrial regeneration and differentiation processes using human endometrial tissue slice cultures incorporating an air-liquid interface into a 3D matrix scaffold of type I collagen gel, allowing sustained tissue viability over three weeks. The 3D collagen gel-embedded endometrial tissue slices in a double-dish culture system responded to ovarian steroid hormones, mimicking the endometrial changes that occur in vivo during the menstrual cycle. These changes included the E2-induced upregulation of Ki-67, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) in all endometrial compartments and were markedly suppressed by both P4 and E2 plus P4 treatments. There were also distinct changes in endometrial morphology after E2 and P4 treatments, including subnuclear vacuolation and luminal secretions in glands as well as decidualization of stromal cells, typical characteristics of a progestational endometrium in vivo. This long-term slice culture method provides a unique in vivo-like microenvironment for the study of human endometrial functions and remodeling during early pregnancy and experiments on stem cell populations involved in endometrial regeneration and remodeling. Furthermore, this model has the potential to enable studies on several endometrial diseases, including endometrial cancers and pregnancy complications associated with defects in endometrial remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmugam Muruganandan
- Perinatal Research Initiative, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.M.); (S.D.); (N.R.N.)
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Avenue, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xiujun Fan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Sabita Dhal
- Perinatal Research Initiative, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.M.); (S.D.); (N.R.N.)
| | - Nihar R. Nayak
- Perinatal Research Initiative, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.M.); (S.D.); (N.R.N.)
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Dysfunction of B-cell lymphoma 2/adenovirus E1B 19KD interacting protein 3 in decidua is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. J Hypertens 2019; 37:2048-2060. [DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000002139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Development and utilization of human decidualization reporter cell line uncovers new modulators of female fertility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:19541-19551. [PMID: 31501330 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907652116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Failure of embryo implantation accounts for a significant percentage of female infertility. Exquisitely coordinated molecular programs govern the interaction between the competent blastocyst and the receptive uterus. Decidualization, the rapid proliferation and differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into decidual cells, is required for implantation. Decidualization defects can cause poor placentation, intrauterine growth restriction, and early parturition leading to preterm birth. Decidualization has not yet been systematically studied at the genetic level due to the lack of a suitable high-throughput screening tool. Herein we describe the generation of an immortalized human endometrial stromal cell line that uses yellow fluorescent protein under the control of the prolactin promoter as a quantifiable visual readout of the decidualization response (hESC-PRLY cells). Using this cell line, we performed a genome-wide siRNA library screen, as well as a screen of 910 small molecules, to identify more than 4,000 previously unrecognized genetic and chemical modulators of decidualization. Ontology analysis revealed several groups of decidualization modulators, including many previously unappreciated transcription factors, sensory receptors, growth factors, and kinases. Expression studies of hits revealed that the majority of decidualization modulators are acutely sensitive to ovarian hormone exposure. Gradient treatment of exogenous factors was used to identify EC50 values of small-molecule hits, as well as verify several growth factor hits identified by the siRNA screen. The high-throughput decidualization reporter cell line and the findings described herein will aid in the development of patient-specific treatments for decidualization-based recurrent pregnancy loss, subfertility, and infertility.
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Wang L, Yang H, Hu L, Hu D, Ma S, Sun X, Jiang L, Song J, Ji L, Masau JF, Zhang H, Qian K. CDKN1C (P57): one of the determinants of human endometrial stromal cell decidualization. Biol Reprod 2019; 98:277-285. [PMID: 29325014 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Decidualization is regulated by crosstalk of progesterone and the cAMP pathway. It involves extensive reprogramming of gene expression and includes a wide range of functions. To investigate how cell cycle regulatory genes drive the human endometrial stromal cell (ESC) exit cell cycle and enter differentiation, primary cultured ESC was treated with 8-Br-cAMP and MPA and cell cycle distribution was investigated by flow cytometry. High-throughput cell cycle regulatory gene expression was also studied by microarray. To validate the results of microarray chip, immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative method of optical density were used to analyze the expression of cell cycle regulator proteins in proliferative phase of endometrium (n = 6) and early pregnancy decidua (n = 6). In addition, we selected cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1c (CDKN1C, also known as P57) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2b (CDKN2B, also known as P15) in order to study their role in the process of decidualization by the RNAi method. ESC was arrested at G0/G1 checkpoints during decidualization. Cell cycle regulatory genes P57 and P15 were upregulated, while cyclin D1 (CCND1), cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), and cell division cycle protein 2 homolog (CDC2) were downregulated during ESC differentiation both in vitro and vivo. P57 siRNA impaired ESC decidualization and caused different morphological and ultrastructural changes as well as a relatively low secretion of prolactin, but P15 siRNA had no effects. We concluded that P15, CCND1, CDK2, and CDC2 may participate in ESC withdraw from the cell cycle and go into differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. P57 is one of the key determinants of ESC differentiation due to its effect on the cell cycle distribution, but its association with the decidua-specific transcription factor needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Linli Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuxia Ma
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejiao Sun
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Liu Jiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianyuan Song
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Licheng Ji
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jackson Ferdinand Masau
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanwang Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Qian
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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Lira-Albarrán S, Durand M, Barrera D, Vega C, Becerra RG, Díaz L, García-Quiroz J, Rangel C, Larrea F. A single preovulatory administration of ulipristal acetate affects the decidualization process of the human endometrium during the receptive period of the menstrual cycle. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 476:70-78. [PMID: 29709683 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In order to get further information on the effects of ulipristal acetate (UPA) upon the process of decidualization of endometrium, a functional analysis of the differentially expressed genes in endometrium (DEG) from UPA treated-versus control-cycles of normal ovulatory women was performed. A list of 1183 endometrial DEG, from a previously published study by our group, was submitted to gene ontology, gene enrichment and ingenuity pathway analyses (IPA). This functional analysis showed that decidualization was a biological process overrepresented. Gene set enrichment analysis identified LIF, PRL, IL15 and STAT3 among the most down-regulated genes within the JAK STAT canonical pathway. IPA showed that decidualization of uterus was a bio-function predicted as inhibited by UPA. The results demonstrated that this selective progesterone receptor modulator, when administered during the periovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, may affect the molecular mechanisms leading to endometrial decidualization in response to progesterone during the period of maximum embryo receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl Lira-Albarrán
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Marta Durand
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - David Barrera
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Claudia Vega
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rocio García Becerra
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Lorenza Díaz
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Janice García-Quiroz
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Claudia Rangel
- Departamento de Genómica Computacional, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Fernando Larrea
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Generation of Progesterone-Responsive Endometrial Stromal Fibroblasts from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Role of the WNT/CTNNB1 Pathway. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:1136-1155. [PMID: 30392973 PMCID: PMC6234962 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective endometrial stromal fibroblasts (EMSFs) contribute to uterine factor infertility, endometriosis, and endometrial cancer. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from skin or bone marrow biopsies provide a patient-specific source that can be differentiated to various cells types. Replacement of abnormal EMSFs is a potential novel therapeutic approach for endometrial disease; however, the methodology or mechanism for differentiating iPSCs to EMSFs is unknown. The uterus differentiates from the intermediate mesoderm (IM) to form coelomic epithelium (CE) followed by the Müllerian duct (MD). Here, we successfully directed the differentiation of human iPSCs (hiPSCs) through IM, CE, and MD to EMSFs under molecularly defined embryoid body culture conditions using specific hormonal treatments. Activation of CTNNB1 was essential for expression of progesterone receptor that mediated the final differentiation step of EMSFs before implantation. These hiPSC-derived tissues illustrate the potential for iPSC-based endometrial regeneration for future cell-based treatments. We developed a molecularly defined system for differentiating hiPSCs to EMSFs hiPSC-derived EMSFs undergo decidualization in response to hormonal stimulation D14 embryoid bodies recapitulate the molecular signature of primary EMSFs The WNT/CTNNB1 pathway is required for induction of EMSF from hiPSCs
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Differential regulation of mTORC1 and mTORC2 is critical for 8-Br-cAMP-induced decidualization. Exp Mol Med 2018; 50:1-11. [PMID: 30374127 PMCID: PMC6206090 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-018-0165-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endometrium decidualization, a differentiation process involving biochemical and morphological changes, is a prerequisite for embryo implantation and successful pregnancy. Here, we show that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a crucial regulator of 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP)-induced decidualization in human endometrial stromal cells. The level of mSin1 in mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) and DEPTOR in mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) decreases during 8-Br-cAMP-induced decidualization, resulting in decreased mTORC2 activity and increased mTORC1 activity. Notably, DEPTOR displacement increases the association between raptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), facilitating IRS-1 phosphorylation at serine 636/639. Finally, both S473 and T308 phosphorylation of Akt are reduced during decidualization, followed by a decrease in forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) phosphorylation and an increase in the mRNA levels of the decidualization markers prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1). Taken together, our findings reveal a critical role for mTOR in decidualization, involving the differential regulation of mTORC1 and mTORC2.
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Vinketova К, Karagyozov I, Koleva V, Hristov M, Mourdjeva M, Sperandio M, Oreshkova T. Progesterone and cyclic adenosine monophosphate down-regulate CD90 in the stromal cells of human decidua. In vitro evidence and in situ findings. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 80:e13043. [PMID: 30151982 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE CD90 is a glycoprotein involved in leukocyte relocation and cell differentiation. CD90 is expressed in endothelial and stromal cells in human endometrium; however, its role in the remodeling of the decidual tissue during pregnancy is poorly understood. Here, we investigate how CD90 expression in decidual stromal cells (DSCs) is regulated. METHOD OF STUDY The native CD90 receptor in stromal cells in decidua was investigated via histology. We further develop in vitro culture of DSCs which allows us to test the effects of hormones and paracrine signals on CD90 expression. RESULTS Stromal cells in first-trimester human decidua display heterogeneous levels of CD90 expression. In vitro analyses reveal that progesterone, a factor normally secreted by trophoblast cells in the placenta, and extracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a known downstream signaling messenger of progesterone, reduce CD90 expression in DSCs by ~30%. This reduction in CD90 expression correlates with a change toward a more highly differentiated cell state. CONCLUSION DSCs in early pregnancy show different levels of CD90 expression, suggesting different DSC differentiation and selective interactions with cells during decidual morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Кameliya Vinketova
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Akad. K. Bratanov" - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Iliya Karagyozov
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Advanced Pelvic Surgery, Tokuda Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Michael Hristov
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Milena Mourdjeva
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Akad. K. Bratanov" - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Markus Sperandio
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Tsvetelina Oreshkova
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Akad. K. Bratanov" - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Inside the Endometrial Cell Signaling Subway: Mind the Gap(s). Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092477. [PMID: 30134622 PMCID: PMC6164241 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cells perceive and respond to their microenvironment forming the basis of endometrial homeostasis. Errors in endometrial cell signaling are responsible for a wide spectrum of endometrial pathologies ranging from infertility to cancer. Intensive research over the years has been decoding the sophisticated molecular means by which endometrial cells communicate to each other and with the embryo. The objective of this review is to provide the scientific community with the first overview of key endometrial cell signaling pathways operating throughout the menstrual cycle. On this basis, a comprehensive and critical assessment of the literature was performed to provide the tools for the authorship of this narrative review summarizing the pivotal components and signaling cascades operating during seven endometrial cell fate “routes”: proliferation, decidualization, implantation, migration, breakdown, regeneration, and angiogenesis. Albeit schematically presented as separate transit routes in a subway network and narrated in a distinct fashion, the majority of the time these routes overlap or occur simultaneously within endometrial cells. This review facilitates identification of novel trajectories of research in endometrial cellular communication and signaling. The meticulous study of endometrial signaling pathways potentiates both the discovery of novel therapeutic targets to tackle disease and vanguard fertility approaches.
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