Extracellular matrix of the mouse endometrium during decidualization

Abrahamsohn, Paulo Alexandre; Zorn, Telma Maria Tenório; Oliveira, Sérgio Ferreira de

doi:10.1590/s0074-02761991000700004

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…These changes include the re-differentiation of endometrial fibroblast-like cells into epithelial-like decidual cells (decidual cell differentiation), as well as the immune cell changes, vascular changes and extensive tissue remodeling activities that occur independently of embryo invasion. Readers are referred to several excellent reviews on this topic (Abrahamsohn and Zorn, '93; Abrahamsohn and others, '91; Abrahamsohn and others, '02; Kennedy and others, '07; Krehbiel, '37; Tachi and Tachi, '74). Unlike humans, in whom decidualization begins during later menstrual cycle phases under the influence of progesterone, rodent decidualization does not begin naturally during the estrous cycle (Gellersen and others, '07).…”

Section: Formation Of the Decidua In Rodentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do molecular signals from the conceptus influence endometrium decidualization in rodents?

Herington

Bany

2009

J Exp Zool Pt B

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A critical period in establishing pregnancy occurs after the onset of implantation but before placental development. Evidence strongly suggests that abnormalities occurring during this period can result in pregnancy termination or in pre-eclampsia; the latter may lead to small-for-gestational-weight offspring that are likely to be unhealthy. Clearly, events occurring in the endometrium during the implantation process are crucial for proper fetal development and for optimal offspring health. In several mammalian species bi-directional communication between the conceptus and endometrium during implantation is required for successful pregnancy. Although different implantation and placentation modes occur in different mammalian species, common aspects of this bi-directional signaling may exist. The molecular signals from the trophoblast cells of the conceptus, which direct endometrial changes during implantation progression, are well known in some non-rodent species. Currently, we know little about such signaling in rodents during implantation progression, when the endometrium undergoes decidualization. This review focuses on data that support the hypothesis that paracrine signals from the rodent conceptus influence decidualization. Where possible, these findings are compared and contrasted to information currently known in other species that exhibit different implantation modes.

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Section: Formation Of the Decidua In Rodentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do molecular signals from the conceptus influence endometrium decidualization in rodents?

Herington

Bany

2009

J Exp Zool Pt B

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Implantation and decidualization in rodents

1993

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This article reviews the main events of embryo-implantation and decidualization in rodents. In common laboratory rodents the embryo attaches to the uterine epithelial lining, usually on days 4 to 6 of pregnancy. A progressive degree of proximity between trophoblast and epithelium occurs until the epithelial cells undergo apoptosis and detach from the basement membrane. During the attachment stage, the spindle-shaped connective tissue cells that underlie the epithelium next to the embryos transform into polyhedral and closely packed decidual cells. Following the epithelial detachment and the breaching of the basement membrane the embryo is thus in direct contact with decidual cells. These cells accumulate organelles associated with synthesis of macro-molecules, intermediate filaments, and eventually lipid droplets and glycogen. Another remarkable feature of decidual cells is the establishment of gap and adherens intercellular junctions. Differentiation of fibroblasts into decidual cells advances antimesometrially and mesometrially, creating in the endometrium several regions of cells with different morphology. The whole phenomenon of decidualization which is normally triggered by the embryo can be artificially induced in pseudo-pregnant or hormonally-prepared animals with the use of diverse stimuli. The uterine epithelium is probably responsible for the transduction of the initial stimulus. Prostaglandins have been shown to be important in the induction of decidualization. More recently other substances such as leukotrienes, platelet-activating factor (PAF), and transforming growth factor (TGF) have been thought to play a role in induction. Much evidence points to prostaglandin production by the decidual cells. New proteins such as a luteotropic factor, desmin, and other molecules were shown to be produced after rat stromal cells undergo decidual transformation. The extracellular matrix of the mouse decidua contains very thick collagen fibrils. Mouse decidual cells are also very active in phagocytosing the thick fibrils, contributing to the remodeling and involution of the decidua that accompanies embryonic growth. Radioautographic data indicates that mouse decidual cells produce and secrete collagen and sulfated proteoglycans.

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