Analysis of uterine natural killer cells and retinoid metabolism pathway during decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861508
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Kuroda Keiji 順天堂大学, 医学部, 准教授 (60459162)
• Research Collaborator: OZAKI Rie 順天堂大学, 医学部, 大学院生 ; OCHIAI Asako 順天堂大学, 医学部, 大学院生 ; IKEMOTO Yuko 順天堂大学, 医学部, 大学院生
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 子宮内膜 / 脱落膜化 / 妊娠 / 習慣流産 / レチノイド / 子宮NK細胞 / レスベラトロール / サーチュイン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In pregnancy, decidual transformation of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) is essential for embryo implantation. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in HESCs induce angiogenesis at implantation, but aberrant elevated uNK cell levels are associated with reproductive failure including recurrent pregnancy loss. We identified that 11βHSD1/GR/MR signaling pathway regulated uNK cells and MR-dependent retinoid (vitamin A) metabolism pathway in primary HESC cultures decidualized in vitro. The wholesale reprogramming of the retinoid signaling, transport, and metabolism pathways in decidualizing HESCs may be critical in limiting exposure of the implanting conceptus in early pregnancy. Furthermore, optimal decidual transformation of primary cultures may involve not only cell differentiation also apoptosis or senescence of specific subpopulations.

Free Research Field

生殖医療