Micro-RNA miR-542-3p suppresses decidualization by targeting ILK pathways in human endometrial stromal cells.
Sci Rep 2021;
11:7186. [PMID:
33785768 PMCID:
PMC8009905 DOI:
10.1038/s41598-021-85295-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) is a vital step for successful pregnancy. However, the process by which micro-RNAs (miRNAs) regulate decidualization remains elusive. Our current study was designed to identify the mechanism of miRNA miR-542-3p and its potential targets in regulating decidualization. The results showed that miR-542-3p was down-regulated in HESCs. Luciferase assay confirmed that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a direct target of miR-542-3p. Overexpression of miR-542-3p resulted in decreased ILK and downstream transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2) expression. Additional expression of ILK attenuates the miR542-3p-induced down-regulation of TGF-β1 and SMAD2, changes properties such as suppression of proliferation and invasion, and induction of apoptosis, thereby affecting the differentiation of HESCs. Moreover, miR-542-3p overexpression caused down-regulation of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and the supernatant of HESCs overexpressing miR-542-3p inhibited the formation of tubular structures in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), suggesting that miR-542-3p inhibits angiogenesis of HUVECs. Furthermore, in our mouse model, following injection of miR-542-3p mimic into the endometrium of mice at pregnancy day 8 (D8), we found decreased miR-542-3p expression and loss of embryo implantation sites. In conclusion, miR-542-3p can affect the process of endometrial decidualization by down-regulating ILK. The present study adds further understanding of the process and regulation of decidualization.
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