NLRP3 Promotes Endometrial Receptivity by Inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of the Endometrial Epithelium

Author(s):  
Xi Cheng ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Jinzhao Ma ◽  
Shuxian Wang ◽  
Rujun Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Endometrial receptivity is crucial for successful embryo implantation It is regulated by multiple factors which include ovarian steroid hormones and the immune microenvironment among others. Nod Like Receptor Pyrins-3 (NLRP3) is a key intracellular pattern-recognition receptor and a critical component of the inflammasome, which plays an essential role in the development of inflammation and of immune responses. However, the physiological functions of NLRP3 in the endometrium remain largely unclear. This study investigated the physiological and pathological significance of NLRP3 in human endometrial epithelial cell during the implantation window. NLRP3 is highly expressed during the mid-proliferative and mid-secretory phases of the human endometrium and transcriptionally up-regulated by estradiol (E2) through estrogen receptor β (ERβ). In addition, NLRP3 promotes embryo implantation and enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of Ishikawa (IK) cells via both inflammasome-dependent and inflammasome-independent pathways, which might provide a novel insight into endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation. Our findings suggest that NLRP3, which is transcriptionally regulated by E2, induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of endometrial epithelial cells and promotes embryo adhesion.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Tiwari ◽  
Nancy Ashray ◽  
Neha Singh ◽  
Shipra Sharma ◽  
Deepak N Modi

The endometrium is a dynamic tissue that undergoes extensive remodelling to attain a receptive state which is further modulated in presence of an embryo for successful initiation of pregnancy. Cadherins are the proteins of junctional complex of which E-cadherin (E-Cad) is crucial for maintaining epithelial cell state and integrity of the epithelial barrier; gain of N-cadherin (N-Cad) in epithelial cells leads to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression of E-Cad and N-Cad in the mouse endometrial luminal epithelium and its modulation by estrogen, progesterone and embryonic stimuli. We observed that E-Cad is diffusely expressed in the luminal epithelium of mouse endometrium during the estrus stage and upon estrogen treatment. It is apico-laterally and basolaterally sorted at the diestrus stage and in response to combined treatment of estrogen and progesterone. In 3D spheroids of human endometrial epithelial cells, combined treatment with estrogen and progesterone led to lateral sorting of E-Cad. In the mouse endometrium at the time of embryo implantation, there is loss of E-Cad which was associated with the gain of N-Cad suggestive of EMT in the luminal epithelium. This EMT is possibly driven by embryonic stimuli as treatment with estrogen and progesterone did not lead to gain of N-Cad expression. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that steroid hormones directly affect E-Cad sorting in the endometrial epithelium.


2021 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
Karel Crha ◽  
◽  
Michal Ješeta ◽  
Radovan Pilka ◽  
Pavel Ventruba ◽  
...  

Summary Objective: There have been many studies on adenomyosis, which can impair the quality of life of a woman. There are various kinds of opinions on the pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment of adenomyosis. The goal of this article is to present the current knowledge of adenomyosis and its impact on the endometrial function and receptivity. Methods: PubMed/Medline, Web of Sciences and Scopus were searched for the articles in English indexed until February 2021 with terms of: adenomyosis, endometrial receptivity, and infertility. Results: Recent studies on angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the endometrium bring new information on the ethiology and pathogenesis of adenomyosis. In clinical practice, the main diagnostic methods of adenomyosis include transvaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or hysteroscopy, although the definitive confirmation is set by histopathological examination. The rules of #Enzian classification of endometriosis should be applied for the classification of adenomyosis. The treatment of adenomyosis should consider individual clinical presentation and reproductive plans of a patient and should be performed in centers for the treatment of endometriosis. Conclusion: Adenomyosis affects endometrial vascularisation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition/mesenchymal-epithelial transition; thus, it can be the cause of irregular uterine bleeding or embryo implantation failure. The research and analysis of endometrial proteome could lead to the new ways of adenomyosis treatment.


Author(s):  
Farnaz Oghbaei ◽  
Reza Zarezadeh ◽  
Davoud Jafari-Gharabaghlou ◽  
Minoo Ranjbar ◽  
Mohammad Nouri ◽  
...  

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Jr Liao ◽  
Pei-Tzu Li ◽  
Ying-Chu Lee ◽  
Sheng-Hsiang Li ◽  
Sin Tak Chu

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is an induced stressor that promotes the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). We previously demonstrated that the development of endometriosis in mice correlates with the secretion of LCN2 in the uterus. Here, we sought to clarify the relationship between LCN2 and EMT in endometrial epithelial cells and to determine whether LCN2 plays a role in endometriosis. Antibodies that functionally inhibit LCN2 slowed the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue in a mouse model of endometriosis, suggesting that LCN2 promotes the formation of endometriotic lesions. Using nutrient deprivation as a stressor, LCN2 expression was induced in cultured primary endometrial epithelial cells. As LCN2 levels increased, the cells transitioned from a round to a spindle-like morphology and dispersed. Immunochemical analyses revealed decreased levels of cytokeratin and increased levels of fibronectin in these endometrial cells, adhesive changes that correlate with induction of cell migration and invasion.Lcn2knockdown also indicated that LCN2 promotes EMT and migration of endometrial epithelial cells. Our results suggest that stressful cellular microenvironments cause uterine tissues to secrete LCN2 and that this results in EMT of endometrial epithelial cells, which may correlate with the development of ectopic endometriosis. These findings shed light on the role of LCN2 in the pathology of endometrial disorders.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
N. Hannan ◽  
K. L. Meehan ◽  
L. J. F. Rombauts ◽  
L. A. Salamonsen

Embryo implantation requires synchronized dialogue between a receptive endometrium and an activated blastocyst via locally produced soluble mediators. During the mid-secretory (MS) phase of the menstrual cycle there is increased glandular secretion into the uterine lumen. These secretions likely contain important mediators that modulate the endometrium and support the conceptus during implantation. Previously we identified that several chemokines were maximally produced during the MS phase by endometrial glandular epithelium (GE) (1, 2) and the presence of chemokine receptors on GE and human trophoblast (3). Furthermore recombinant human chemokines and endometrial epithelial cell-conditioned media stimulated trophoblast migration; this was attenuated by neutralizing specific chemokines (3). Chemokines also regulate a variety of adhesion and ECM molecules on trophoblast (4). Thus chemokines have important roles during embryo implantation. We hypothesized that chemokines are secreted into the uterine cavity and may act on the implanting blastocyst and the endometrium. This study aimed to identify chemokines in uterine fluid (collected by flushing the uterine cavity with 5mls of saline) from fertile women during the proliferative (non-receptive; n=4) and MS (receptive; n=4) phases of the cycle, and from women with unexplained infertility during the MS phase (n=4). Uterine fluid was analyzed using quantitative MilliplexTM Luminex® 42-plex cytokine/chemokine assays revealing the presence of IL-8, CCL2, CCL4, CCL7, CCL11, CCL22 and CX3CL1 in uterine fluid from all women. Importantly chemokine profiles were altered with both cycle phase and fertility; for example CCL4 and CCL22 levels were lower in the infertile cohort, where as CCL2 levels were higher in uterine fluid collected during the proliferative phase. Identifying the soluble mediators in human uterine fluid may provide potential markers of endometrial receptivity, insight into the unique microenvironment essential for pregnancy and a profile of maternal factors that influence the implanting blastocyst.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendao You ◽  
Liang Xu ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
Huan Zou ◽  
Dongtao Shi ◽  
...  

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are globally dysregulated in human carcinomas. However, the specific miRNAs that mediate gastric cancer metastasis have not been identified. We identified 100 miRNAs that are dysregulated in gastric cancer and used a self-assembled cell microarray method to systematically evaluate their capacity to regulate cell migration. MiR-451, which is down-regulated in human gastric cancer samples, potently modulated multiple metastatic phenotypes including cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These effects were achieved via down-regulation of the miR-451 target gene, ERK2. These findings provide new insight into the physiological effects of and potential therapeutic uses for miRNAs in gastric cancer.


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