PCOS易感基因Hmga2在小鼠子宫蜕膜化中的表达与调节

目的研究PCOS易感基因Hmga2在子宫内膜容受性和蜕膜化中的表达与调节。方法通过早期妊娠、延期着床与激活、人工蜕膜化、卵巢类固醇激素处理等实验,利用q PCR、Western blot技术,阐述Hmga2在子宫内膜容受性中的作用。结果 Hmga2随着妊娠表达量逐渐增加,着床点与非着床点相比表达量显著升高,胚胎激活组比延迟着床表达量显著增高,人工诱导蜕膜化与非蜕膜化比较表达显著升高,Hmga2的表达与雌激素和孕激素呈正相关,体内受雌孕激素调节。结论表明Hmga2的表达与小鼠早期妊娠胚胎着床过程密切相关,参与子宫内膜蜕膜化过程,受活化胚泡和类固醇激素的影响。     

环状RNA circCapzb在早孕小鼠围植入期子宫内膜中的表达

环状RNA(circular RNA,circRNA)是一类新型内源性非编码RNA,与多种疾病的发生、发展密切相关,但在胚胎着床的过程中罕见报道。该文旨在探讨环状RNA circCapzb在早孕小鼠围植入期子宫内膜中的表达。采用Real-time PCR检测正常妊娠小鼠孕第5天(d5)至第7天(d7)胚胎着床点及胚胎着床旁组织中circCapzb的表达水平;分别构建小鼠体内人工诱导蜕膜化模型和原代小鼠子宫内膜基质细胞体外人工诱导蜕膜化模型,采用Real-time PCR分别检测circCapzb在组织及细胞蜕膜化诱导模型中的表达;通过生物信息学预测circCapzb下游靶miRNA:miR-377-3p和miR-7005-5p,并采用Real-time PCR检测其在蜕膜化诱导模型中的表达。结果表明,circCapzb在小鼠孕第5天至第7天胚胎着床点的表达明显高于着床旁;circCapzb在组织及体内外细胞蜕膜化诱导模型中诱导组的表达明显高于未诱导组(对照组);circCapzb下游靶miR-377-3p和miR-7005-5p在组织及体内外细胞蜕膜化诱导模型中诱导组的表达明显低于未诱导组。该研究初步表明,circCapzb在小鼠早孕期胚胎着床点高表达,在组织及体内外细胞蜕膜化诱导模型中高表达,在小鼠妊娠早期子宫内膜蜕膜化过程中可能发挥作用,但具体机制有待进一步研究。     

对羟基苯甲酸甲酯对早孕小鼠子宫内膜蜕膜化的影响

该研究主要探讨对羟基苯甲酸甲酯(methylparaben,MP)对早孕小鼠子宫内膜蜕膜化的影响。从孕第1天开始,每日经口灌胃给予CD1小鼠0、10.0、62.5、250.0、1 000.0 mg/kg浓度的MP后,于孕第7天处死小鼠。采用酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测血清雌孕激素水平,观察并计数着床胚胎数量,采用免疫组化法和免疫印迹法检测子宫内膜蜕膜化标志物BMP2、MMP2、MMP9、HOXA10等蛋白的表达水平。结果显示,在1 000.0 mg/kg MP暴露下,小鼠孕第7天着床胚胎数量显著下降(P0.05)。免疫组化和免疫印迹结果显示,与正常对照组相比较,1 000.0 mg/kg组孕鼠蜕膜化标志物BMP2、MMP2、MMP9、HOXA10的蛋白表达水平显著降低。ELISA检测结果显示,MP暴露后孕鼠血清雌孕激素水平均明显下降(P0.05)。该研究提示,MP孕期暴露可能影响孕鼠子宫内膜蜕膜化。     

前列腺素在胚胎着床和蜕膜化中的作用

前列腺素在哺乳动物的雌性生殖过程中起着十分重要的作用.环氧合酶-2 (cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2)主要在子宫着床位点处胚胎周围的基质细胞中表达, 介导着床和蜕膜化过程.由COX-2和微粒体型前列腺素E合成酶-1途径来源的前列腺素E 2 (prostaglandin E2, PGE2)在胚胎着床和蜕膜化过程中起重要作用.子宫中产生的前列腺素I 2 (prostaglandin I2, PGI2)通过核受体过氧化物酶体增殖因子活化受体δ(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorδ,PPARδ)在胚胎着床过程中起关键作用.质膜上的前列腺素转运蛋白(prostaglandin transporter, PGT)通过转运新合成的前列腺素, 来满足胚胎着床和蜕膜化过程中对前列腺素的需求, 并维持前列腺素的代谢平衡.     

着床期小鼠子宫内膜中EGF及其受体转录和表达状况的研究

为探讨表皮生长因子（epidermal growth factor,EGF)在胚泡着床过程中的作用。本文应用原位杂交和免疫组织化学方法,检测了EGE及其受体在胚泡着床前后小鼠子宫内膜中的转录和表达。结果显示：未孕和受精后第4-5天,子宫内膜表面上皮和腺上皮细胞仍呈EGF,EGFR原位杂交和免疫组化阴性着色,受精后第4-5天子宫内膜基质细胞EGF及其受体转录和表达较未孕期增强,受精后第6天,EGF及其受体免疫组化和原位杂交阳性着色主要分布于初级蜕膜带（primary decidual zone,PDZ);随着胚泡植入的进行,PDZ区蜕膜细胞EGF及其受体的转录和表达明显减少,而PDZ周围蜕膜细胞EGF及其受体的转录和表达增强,结果提示,EGF是小鼠胚泡着床过程中的一个重要调节因子。     

白细胞介素-1家族与哺乳动物生殖

白细胞介素－1家族在哺乳动物生殖过程中起重要作用。它们调节卵巢和睾丸的生理功能,着床前胚胎和子宫相互作用,胚胎着床能力,同时参与蜕膜化,分娩等多个生殖环节。     

大鼠子宫内膜存在人绒毛膜促性腺激素样(hCG-like)物质结合部位的初步探讨

在胚泡着床过程中,胚泡可以产生hCG样物质,它对于着床过程可能有某种调节作用。本实验结果表明:大鼠胚泡着床前(交配后第四天)的子宫内膜存在hCG特异性结合部位。对子宫内膜及睾丸组织~(125)I-hCG结合性质测定的平行实验中,证明子宫内膜hCG的结合部位与睾丸组织hOG受体有很相似的特性,其亲和常数(Ka)值分别为9.0×10~9M~(_1)和7.7×10~9M~(_1)。子宫内膜存在hCG结合部位可能与着床过程中胚泡与子宫内膜的同步化调节有一定关系。     

人早孕子宫蜕膜催乳素分泌的调节

子宫内膜蜕膜化对胚泡植入与妊娠维持是非常重要的。为探讨蜕膜化维持的调节机制 ,本文研究了妊娠早期人子宫蜕膜细胞催乳素 (PRL)分泌的调节。结果表明 :(1)孕酮显著地刺激PRL的分泌。 (2 )雌激素的作用与其浓度有关 ,生理浓度的雌激素对PRL分泌无明显影响 ,而高水平的雌激素抑制孕酮的刺激作用。合适的雌孕激素比例对蜕膜化的维持是必要的。 (3)RU486明显地抑制PRL的分泌 ,故认为孕酮的作用至少是部分通过受体介导的机制。 (4 )高浓度的cAMP (≥ 10 -5mol/L)显著增加PRL的分泌 ,cAMP信号系统可能在蜕膜化反应中发挥重要作用。     

哺乳动物胚泡着床及影响因素

哺乳动物胚泡着床是生殖过程中的关键环节。受精卵经过早期发育形成了胚泡，胚泡脱去透明带后，经定位、粘附、滋养层侵入，植入到子宫内膜中，同时母体子宫内膜发生蜕膜化控制植入的程度，最终完成着床过程。着床过程受多种因素的影响，主要因素有：母体子宫内膜和胚泡发育的同步化，母体的激素环境，胚泡分泌的激素，母体子宫的接受性及局部免疫保护作用。     

胚胎着床过程中血管生成相关因子的表达及其调控

血管生成（angiogenesis）主要在雌性生殖器官中发生,在其它器官和组织中则很少见。许多血管生成相关因子参与血管生成。在哺乳动物的胚胎着床过程中,胚胎着床位点处子宫内膜的血管通透性发生变化,随后进行蜕膜化及胎盘形成,以利于胎儿进一步发育,这些过程均与血管生成相关。本文综述了近年来关于血管内皮生长因子等血管生成因子在着床过程中的表达、调节以及作用机制。     

Autocrine prolactin inhibits human uterine decidualization: a novel role for prolactin

Human prolactin (PRL) and its receptor (PRLR) are markedly induced during human uterine decidualization, and large amounts of PRL are released by decidual cells as differentiation progresses. However, the role of PRL in decidualization is unknown. In order to determine whether PRL plays an autocrine role in decidualization, human uterine fibroblast cells that were decidualized in vitro with medroxyprogestrerone acetate (1 microM), estradiol (10 nM), and prostaglandin E(2) (1 microM) were exposed to exogenous PRL and/or the pure PRLR antagonist delta1-9-G129R-PRL. As measured by quantitative PCR, cells that were decidualized in the presence of exogenous PRL (0.25-2 microg/ml) expressed significantly lower levels of mRNA for the genes that encode insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1), left-right determination factor 2 (LEFTY2), PRL, decorin (DCN), and laminin alpha 1 (LAMA1), all of which are known to be induced during decidualization. These effects were blocked when the cells were exposed simultaneously to PRL and the PRLR antagonist, which confirms the specific inhibitory action of PRL on the expression of decidualization markers. In addition, cells exposed to the PRLR antagonist alone expressed higher levels of the marker gene mRNAs than cells that were decidualized in control media. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that PRL acts via an autocrine mechanism to regulate negatively the extent of differentiation (decidualization) of human uterine cells.     

The effect of transforming growth factor-alpha on the progression of decidualization in rats

Although transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), one of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors, is expressed in the rat decidual cells, its roles in decidualization remain to be elucidated. This study examined the effect of TGF-alpha on the progression of decidualization and a possibility for involvement of prostaglandins (PGs) in its action. Pseudopregnant rats were ovariectomized and given endometrial trauma on Day 5 (vaginal plug = Day 1) and were daily treated with 2 mg progesterone thereafter. Immunocytochemical localization of EGF receptor was distinctly evident in the decidual, stromal and epithelial cells on Day 7. Continuous infusion of TGF-alpha (500 pg/h) into the uterine lumen from Day 7 significantly increased weights of the uterine horns with deciduomata on Day 9. Although injection on Day 7 of indomethacin, an inhibitor of PGs synthesis, decreased the uterine weight, this effect was overridden by the continuous infusion of this growth factor. These results demonstrated the stimulatory action of TGF-alpha on the progression of decidualization. Further, TGF-alpha increased the secretion of prostaglandin E in cultured decidual and/or stromal cells dose-dependently, suggesting the possibility that PGs mediate the action of this growth factor.     

Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression in the mouse uterus during implantation and artificially induced decidualization

During implantation in mice, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-3 is believed to play a key role in inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase activity associated with embryo invasion and tissue remodeling. The first objective of this study was to quantitatively compare the steady-state mRNA levels of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases between segments of the mouse uterus undergoing decidualization compared to those that are not during early pregnancy plus oil-induced decidualization. Steady-state tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 mRNA levels were significantly greater in implantation compared to interimplantation areas on days 6 and 7 of pregnancy and in stimulated compared to nonstimulated uterine horns at 48 and 72 hr after artificial induction of decidualization. Steady-state tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 mRNA levels were significantly greater in implantation compared to interimplantation areas on days 5-8 of pregnancy and in stimulated compared to nonstimulated uterine horns at 24, 48, and 72 hr after oil stimulation. Therefore, the steady-state mRNA levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -3 increased in the uterus during decidualization. The second objective of this study was to determine if transforming growth factor-beta1 influences tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase mRNA concentrations in mouse endometrial stromal cells. As determined by Northern blot analyses, transforming growth factor beta1 significantly increased tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -3 mRNA levels in cultured mouse endometrial stromal cells isolated from uteri sensitized for decidualization. On the other hand, interleukin-1, epidermal growth factor, and leukemia inhibitory factor had no effect. The results of this study further characterize the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase expression in the uterus during implantation and artificially induced decidualization and the potential control of their expression in the stroma by transforming growth factor.     

Laminin decreases PRL and IGFBP-1 expression during in vitro decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells

The expression of laminin, a major constituent of endometrial cell basement membranes, is increased during differentiation of human endometrial stromal cells (decidualization). To determine whether laminin plays a role in decidualization, we studied the effects of laminin substrate on the synthesis and release of prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), two major secretory proteins of decidualized stromal cells. Endometrial stromal cells were plated on laminin as well as several other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (types 1 and IV collagen or fibronectin) and on plastic, and cultured in media containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and estradiol. Cells cultured on plastic or ECM proteins displayed similar morphological changes indicative of decidualization. However, the release of PRL and IGFBP-1 from cells cultured on plastic and ECM proteins (types 1 and IV collagen and fibronection) was approximately 2.1-fold and 2.8-fold greater respectively, than from cells cultured on laminin. The decrease in PRL and IGFBP-1 expression in cells cultured on laminin was not due to differences in initial cell attachment efficiency or final DNA content. In addition, laminin had no effect on the content of laminin protein or fibronectin mRNA levels, indicating that the effects of laminin on PRL and IGFBP-1 were specific. PGE₂ stimulated the release of PRL and IGFBP-1 from cells cultured on laminin to levels comparable to those from cells cultured on plastic or other ECM proteins. This indicates that the decrease in PRL and IGFBP-1 release by laminin was not due to a generalized unresponsiveness. In contrast to the effects of laminin during decidualization, PRL expression was not altered by laminin in terminally differentiated decidual cells isolated at term. Our results support a role for laminin in selectively regulating PRL and IGFBP-1 gene expression during in vitro decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

TGFβ superfamily signaling and uterine decidualization

Decidualization is an intricate biological process where extensive morphological, functional, and genetic changes take place in endometrial stromal cells to support the development of an implanting blastocyst. Deficiencies in decidualization are associated with pregnancy complications and reproductive diseases. Decidualization is coordinately regulated by steroid hormones, growth factors, and molecular and epigenetic mechanisms. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily signaling regulates multifaceted reproductive processes. However, the role of TGFβ signaling in uterine decidualization is poorly understood. Recent studies using the Cre-LoxP strategy have shed new light on the critical role of TGFβ signaling machinery in uterine decidualization. Herein, we focus on reviewing exciting findings from studies using both mouse genetics and in vitro cultured human endometrial stromal cells. We also delve into emerging mechanisms that underlie decidualization, such as non-coding RNAs and epigenetic modifications. We envision that future studies aimed at defining the interrelationship among TGFβ signaling circuitries and their potential interactions with epigenetic modifications/non-coding RNAs during uterine decidualization will open new avenues to treat pregnancy complications associated with decidualization deficiencies.     

Induction of decidual differentiation in endometrial mesenchymal stem cells

In this study, we compared the ability of human mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs) derived from menstrual blood and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from other tissues to differentiate into decidual cells in vitro. It was demonstrated that, during differentiation, secretion of prolactin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (key decidualization markers) markedly increased in eMSCs slightly augmented in bone marrow MSC (BM-MSCs) and did not change in MSCs from adipose tissue (AT-MSCs). Thus, eMSCs exhibited higher capacity for differentiation into decidual cells than BM-MSCs or AT-MSCs. This makes eMSCs promising for application in cellular therapy of infertility associated with insufficient decidualization of endometrium.