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Peloggia A, Andres MP, Abrão MS. Expression of ezrin protein and phosphorylated ezrin in pelvic endometriotic lesions. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2022; 77:100074. [PMID: 35793608 PMCID: PMC9260236 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2022.100074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the expression of Ezrin and Phosphorylated Ezrin (Phospho-Ezrin) in endometriosis lesions and its relation to the menstrual cycle phase, stage of endometriosis, histological classification, and clinical symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective study, with endometriotic lesions collected from women with endometriosis (n = 57) who underwent laparoscopy from 2017 to 2018. The expression of Ezrin and Phosphorylated Ezrin proteins was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS All the endometriotic lesions contained immunostaining for Ezrin in the glands. Phosphorylated Ezrin was expressed in the stroma of all endometriotic lesions. There was no difference in the Ezrin and Phosphorylated Ezrin's expression in the retrocervical, ovarian, superficial, and intestinal lesions in the same patient. Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, acyclic pain, infertility, and dysuria were similar in the three groups of Ezrin staining. There was an inversely proportional relationship between severe dyschezia and Ezrin's intensity, being 66.7% of Ezrin 1 (weak intensity), 36.7 Ezrin 2 (moderate intensity), and 10.0% of Ezrin 3 (p = 0.013). Regarding Phospho-Ezrin there wasn't a significant difference between all the analyzed variables. Histological classification and menstrual cycle phase had also no significant difference between Ezrin and Phospho-Ezrin immunostaining. CONCLUSION Ezrin protein and Phospho-Ezrin can be considered important markers to elucidate the mechanisms related to migration and attachment of endometriotic lesions. It is still unclear if Ezrin and Phospho-Ezrin are a cause or consequence of endometriosis. Further studies comparing different types of lesions and eutopic endometrium are necessary to elucidate the role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Peloggia
- Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Reprodutiva de Campinas (CEMICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina Paula Andres
- Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Gynecologic Division, BP ‒ A Beneficencia Portuguesa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Simões Abrão
- Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Gynecologic Division, BP ‒ A Beneficencia Portuguesa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Guo X, Li TC, Chen X. The endometrial proteomic profile around the time of embryo implantation†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:11-26. [PMID: 32856701 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation is an intricate process which requires competent embryo and receptive endometrium. The failure of endometrium to achieve receptivity is a recognized cause of infertility. However, due to multiplicity of events involved, the molecular mechanisms governing endometrial receptivity are still not fully understood. Traditional one-by-one approaches, including western blotting and histochemistry, are insufficient to examine the extensive changes of endometrial proteome. Although genomics and transcriptomics studies have identified several significant genes, the underlying mechanism remains to be uncovered owing to post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications. Proteomic technologies are high throughput in protein identification, and they are now intensively used to identify diagnostic and prognostic markers in the field of reproductive medicine. There is a series of studies analyzing endometrial proteomic profile, which has provided a mechanistic insight into implantation failure. These published studies mainly focused on the difference between pre-receptive and receptive stages of endometrium, as well as on the alternation of endometrial proteomics in women with reproductive failure. Here, we review recent data from proteomic analyses regarding endometrium around the time of embryo implantation and propose possible future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Guo
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Tin Chiu Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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3
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D’Ippolito S, Di Nicuolo F, Papi M, Castellani R, Palmieri V, Masciullo V, Arena V, Tersigni C, Bernabei M, Pontecorvi A, Scambia G, Di Simone N. Expression of Pinopodes in the Endometrium from Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Women. Role of Thrombomodulin and Ezrin. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E2634. [PMID: 32823767 PMCID: PMC7464296 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9082634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pinopode expression has been suggested as a marker of endometrial receptivity. METHODS We set up an experimental study comparing endometrial tissue from recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL, n = 30) and fertile control (CTR, n = 20) women in terms of pinopode expression/morphology; expression of thrombomodulin (TM) and ezrin; cytoskeletal organization. Endometrial samples were collected during implantation window and evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, western blot, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS We found that RPL endometrial tissue showed: (i) increased pinopodes density (* p < 0.05); (ii) a reduced diameter of pinopodes (* p < 0.05); (iii) a decreased TM and ezrin expression (p < 0.05). Additionally, confocal images showed a significantly reduced expression of phosphorylated (p)-ezrin, confirming the results obtained through immunoblot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining showed that in CTR samples, junctions between cells are intact and clearly visible, whereas actin filaments appear completely lost in RPL endometrial samples; this suggests that, due to the impaired expression and activity of TM and ezrin, actin does not bind to plasma membrane in order to orchestrate the cytoskeletal actin filaments. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that an impaired expression of TM and expression/activation of ezrin may affect the connection between the TM and actin cytoskeleton, impairing the organization of cytoskeleton and, eventually, the adequate pinopode development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia D’Ippolito
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.M.); (V.A.); (C.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Fiorella Di Nicuolo
- Paolo VI International Scientific Institute, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (F.D.N.); (A.P.)
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy; (M.P.); (V.P.)
| | - Roberta Castellani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Valentina Palmieri
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy; (M.P.); (V.P.)
| | - Valeria Masciullo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.M.); (V.A.); (C.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.M.); (V.A.); (C.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Chiara Tersigni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.M.); (V.A.); (C.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Micaela Bernabei
- Istituto di Anatomia e Istologia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Paolo VI International Scientific Institute, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (F.D.N.); (A.P.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Gastroenterologiche, Endocrino-Metaboliche e Nefro-Urologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy
- Istituto di Patologia Medica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.M.); (V.A.); (C.T.); (G.S.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Nicoletta Di Simone
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.), 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.M.); (V.A.); (C.T.); (G.S.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
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Quinn KE, Matson BC, Wetendorf M, Caron KM. Pinopodes: Recent advancements, current perspectives, and future directions. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 501:110644. [PMID: 31738970 PMCID: PMC6962535 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.110644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Successful embryo implantation is a complex and highly regulated process involving precise synchronization between the fetal-derived trophoblast cells and maternal uterine luminal epithelium. Multiple endocrine-driven factors are important for controlling the timely receptivity of the uterus, and this complexity underscores implantation failure as a major cause of recurrent infertility associated with assisted reproductive technologies. One particular cellular structure often hypothesized to promote receptivity is the pinopode or uterodome - a hormonally regulated, large cellular protrusion on the uterine epithelial surface. Recent clinical studies associate pinopodes with favorable fertility outcomes in women, and because they are directly linked to an increase in progesterone levels, the potential utility of these hormone-regulated cell biological structures in predicting or improving implantation in a clinical setting holds promise. In this review, we aim to generate interest in pinopodes from the broader cell biology and endocrinology communities, re-examine methodologies in pinopode research, and identify priorities for future investigation of pinopode structure and function in women's reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey E Quinn
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Brooke C Matson
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Margeaux Wetendorf
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kathleen M Caron
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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5
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Cui D, Sui L, Han X, Zhang M, Guo Z, Chen W, Yu X, Sun Q, Dong M, Ma T, Kong Y. Aquaporin-3 mediates ovarian steroid hormone-induced motility of endometrial epithelial cells. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:2060-2073. [PMID: 30285121 PMCID: PMC6195804 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How does aquaporin-3 (AQP3) affect endometrial receptivity? SUMMARY ANSWER AQP3, which is regulated by the combination and estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4), induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endometrial epithelial cells. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Embryo implantation is an extremely complex process, and endometrial receptivity is essential for successful embryo implantation. Estrogen and progesterone regulate endometrial receptivity. AQP3, which is regulated by estrogen (E2), increases cell migration and invasion ability by regulating the expression of EMT-related factors and influencing the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study investigated the pathophysiological significance of AQP3 in human endometrial function during different phases of the menstrual cycle. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS AQP3 expression levels during different phases of the menstrual cycle were measured using immunohistochemical assays. In cells of different receptivity (high-receptive RL95-2 cells and low-receptive HEC-1A cells), the expression of AQP3 was measured using western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assays. Activities of AQP3, and its regulation by E2 and P4, were studied through in-vitro experiments using RL95-2 cells. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE AQP3 expression in the mid- and late-secretory phases of the human endometrium is significantly higher than in other phases. Since AQP3 expression levels were higher in RL95-2 cells than in HEC-1A cells, mechanisms of AQP3 regulation by E2 and P4 were studied using RL95-2 cells. We provided the first report that P4 up-regulates AQP3 by directly targeting the promoter of the AQP3 gene. The up-regulation of AQP3 expression by a combination of E2 and P4 is significantly higher than that caused by either E2 or P4 alone. Together E2 and P4 promote RL95-2 cell migration and invasion by inducing EMT through AQP3. We also found that AQP3 co-localizes with ezrin and affects the formation of filopodia and lamellipodia during the E2 and P4-induced EMT process but has no effect on the expression of ezrin and F-actin. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION It is still unclear whether AQP3 is a main regulator of endometrial receptivity or one of several factors influencing the process. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Further investigation on AQP3 may contribute to a greater understanding of endometrial receptivity. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the National Natural Scientific Grants of China (No. 31570798), the Program for Liaoning Excellent Talents in University (LR2017042), the Doctoral Scientific Research Foundation of Liaoning province (201601236), and the Liaoning Provincial Program for Top Discipline of Basic Medical Sciences. There are no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Cui
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Linlin Sui
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Man Zhang
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Zhenzhen Guo
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Wanfang Chen
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Qiannan Sun
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Ming Dong
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Tonghui Ma
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
| | - Ying Kong
- Core Lab Glycobiol & Glycoengn,college of Basic Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian , Liaoning, China
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6
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Williams E, Villar-Prados A, Bowser J, Broaddus R, Gladden AB. Loss of polarity alters proliferation and differentiation in low-grade endometrial cancers by disrupting Notch signaling. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189081. [PMID: 29206870 PMCID: PMC5716545 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion and apicobasal polarity together maintain epithelial tissue organization and homeostasis. Loss of adhesion has been described as a prerequisite for the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. However, what role misregulation of apicobasal polarity promotes tumor initiation and/or early progression remains unclear. We find that human low-grade endometrial cancers are associated with disrupted localization of the apical polarity protein Par3 and Ezrin while, the adhesion molecule E-cadherin remains unchanged, accompanied by decreased Notch signaling, and altered Notch receptor localization. Depletion of Par3 or Ezrin, in a cell-based model, results in loss of epithelial architecture, differentiation, increased proliferation, migration and decreased Notch signaling. Re-expression of Par3 in endometrial cancer cell lines with disrupted Par3 protein levels blocks proliferation and reduces migration in a Notch dependent manner. These data uncover a function for apicobasal polarity independent of cell adhesion in regulating Notch-mediated differentiation signals in endometrial epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Williams
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Program of Genes and Development, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Alejandro Villar-Prados
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Program of Genes and Development, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Jessica Bowser
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Russell Broaddus
- Program of Genes and Development, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Andrew B. Gladden
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Program of Genes and Development, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
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7
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Haeger JD, Hambruch N, Dantzer V, Hoelker M, Schellander K, Klisch K, Pfarrer C. Changes in endometrial ezrin and cytokeratin 18 expression during bovine implantation and in caruncular endometrial spheroids in vitro. Placenta 2015; 36:821-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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Tu Z, Wang Q, Cui T, Wang J, Ran H, Bao H, Lu J, Wang B, Lydon JP, DeMayo F, Zhang S, Kong S, Wu X, Wang H. Uterine RAC1 via Pak1-ERM signaling directs normal luminal epithelial integrity conducive to on-time embryo implantation in mice. Cell Death Differ 2015; 23:169-81. [PMID: 26184908 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2015.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful embryo implantation requires functional luminal epithelia to establish uterine receptivity and blastocyst-uterine adhesion. During the configuration of uterine receptivity from prereceptive phase, the luminal epithelium undergoes dynamic membrane reorganization and depolarization. This timely regulated epithelial membrane maturation and precisely maintained epithelial integrity are critical for embryo implantation in both humans and mice. However, it remained largely unexplored with respect to potential signaling cascades governing this functional epithelial transformation prior to implantation. Using multiple genetic and cellular approaches combined with uterine conditional Rac1 deletion mouse model, we demonstrated herein that Rac1, a small GTPase, is spatiotemporally expressed in the periimplantation uterus, and uterine depletion of Rac1 induces premature decrease of epithelial apical-basal polarity and defective junction remodeling, leading to disrupted uterine receptivity and implantation failure. Further investigations identified Pak1-ERM as a downstream signaling cascade upon Rac1 activation in the luminal epithelium necessary for uterine receptivity. In addition, we also demonstrated that Rac1 via P38 MAPK signaling ensures timely epithelial apoptotic death at postimplantation. Besides uncovering a potentially important molecule machinery governing uterine luminal integrity for embryo implantation, our finding has high clinical relevance, because Rac1 is essential for normal endometrial functions in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, PR China
| | - Q Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - T Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, PR China
| | - J Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - H Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100039, PR China
| | - H Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100039, PR China
| | - J Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - B Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - J P Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - F DeMayo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - S Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - S Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - X Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - H Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
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9
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Huang TS, Chen YJ, Chou TY, Chen CY, Li HY, Huang BS, Tsai HW, Lan HY, Chang CH, Twu NF, Yen MS, Wang PH, Chao KC, Lee CC, Yang MH. Oestrogen-induced angiogenesis promotes adenomyosis by activating the Slug-VEGF axis in endometrial epithelial cells. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 18:1358-71. [PMID: 24758741 PMCID: PMC4124020 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenomyosis is an oestrogen-dependent disease characterized by the invasion of endometrial epithelial cells into the myometrium of uterus, and angiogenesis is thought to be required for the implantation of endometrial glandular tissues during the adenomyotic pathogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that compared with eutopic endometria, adenomyotic lesions exhibited increased vascularity as detected by sonography. Microscopically, the lesions also exhibited an oestrogen-associated elevation of microvascular density and VEGF expression in endometrial epithelial cells. We previously reported that oestrogen-induced Slug expression was critical for endometrial epithelial–mesenchymal transition and development of adenomyosis. Our present studies demonstrated that estradiol (E2) elicited a Slug-VEGF axis in endometrial epithelial cells, and also induced pro-angiogenic activity in vascular endothelial cells. The antagonizing agents against E2 or VEGF suppressed endothelial cells migration and tubal formation. Animal experiments furthermore confirmed that blockage of E2 or VEGF was efficient to attenuate the implantation of adenomyotic lesions. These results highlight the importance of oestrogen-induced angiogenesis in adenomyosis development and provide a potential strategy for treating adenomyosis through intercepting the E2-Slug-VEGF pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tze-Sing Huang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
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