Insulin-like growth factor 1 increases apical fibronectin in blastocysts to increase blastocyst attachment to endometrial epithelial cells in vitro

Abstract

This study presents mechanisms by which IGF1 improves attachment of blastocysts to Ishikawa cells and documents for the first time how IGF1 can increase adhesion competency in blastocysts. Failure of the blastocyst to implant is the major cause of human assisted reproductive technology (ART) failure. As growth factors are absent during embryo culture, their addition to embryo culture medium is a potential avenue to improve IVF success. In particular, IGF1 could prove to be a potential treatment for blastocysts before transfer to the uterus in an ART setting.

MiR‐27a‐3p and miR‐124‐3p, upregulated in endometrium and serum from women affected by Chronic Endometritis, are new potential molecular markers of endometrial receptivity

“…In fact, miRNAs are negative regulators of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and their biological role is closely associated with the proteins encoded by their mRNA targets.We found the downregulation of IGF1 and IL11 and demonstrated the anticorrelation between miR-27a-3p and IGF1 (Figure 3).These data strongly suggest that the downregulation of IGF1 in the endometrium could depend on post-transcriptional regulation mediated by miR-27a-3p 47. Moreover, ROC curve analysis confirmed that both miRNAs, individually or associated, are able to discriminate CE endometrium from healthy ones (Figure 2).…”

“…IGF1 is also expressed in could influence the level of embryo IGF1, supporting the importance of miRNAs in the dialog between the endometrium and embryo. 27,47 These data identify miR-27a-3p as a biomarker of endometrial health and open up the possibility to administer specific therapy based on antagomiR: the switching of miR-27a-3p in the endometrium could restore IGF1 levels needed for a successful implantation.…”

“…These data strongly suggest that the downregulation of IGF1 in the endometrium could depend on post-transcriptional regulation mediated by miR-27a-3p. 47 IGF1 plays an important role in the relationships between the embryo and the endometrium and in the implantation process, mediating the effects of estrogen on endometrial proliferation during the proliferative phase. 19 Proper IGF1 levels are required for successful embryonic and placental developments;…”

“…Therefore, to explore the biological consequence of miR-27a-3p and miR-124-3p upregulation in the endometrium of women affected by CE, we analyzed the expression of IGF1 and IL11, validated targets of miRNAs, in the same endometrial samples. ROC curve analysis for miR-124-3p (A), miR-27a-3p (B), and for miR-124-3p/miR-27a-3p (C) the embryo, therefore, the upregulation of endometrial miR-27a-3p could influence the level of embryo IGF1, supporting the importance of miRNAs in the dialog between the endometrium and embryo 27,47. IGF1 plays an important role in the relationships between the embryo and the endometrium and in the implantation process, mediating the effects of estrogen on endometrial proliferation during the proliferative phase 19.…”

Integrin beta8 (ITGB8) activates VAV-RAC1 signaling via FAK in the acquisition of endometrial epithelial cell receptivity for blastocyst implantation

“…In the receptive endometrium, integrins redistribution and cytoskeleton reorganization can take place in the endometrial epithelial cells during adhesion of implanting blastocyst 4, 21, 26, 42–45 . This hints the mechano-transduction at the cell surface with the help of integrin and ECM, and additionally, that also assists chemical signature amplification intra-cellularily.…”