Abstract
Objective Whether changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and annexin IV during implantation are regulated through the LH/hCG-R needs further research. To investigate the mechanism of hCG on the expression of annexin IV and VEGF in human endometrial cells. Methods Endometrial cells were isolated and identified from human specimens. The proportion of glandular and epithelial cells was analyzed. Annexin IV and VEGF were analyzed by qRT-PCR (mRNA), western blot (proteins), and immunohistochemistry (proteins). Protein location was identified by immunohistochemistry. The cells were cultured with hCG, hCG/PD98059 (a MAPK inhibitor), or no treatment (control). Results The proportions between the glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells at inoculation and when adding hCG were 25.8 ± 0.2% and 27.8 ± 0.04%, respectively (P > 0.05). LH/hCG-R, annexin IV, and VEGF were found in the cytoplasm of endometrial cells. After 2, 6, 12, and 24 h of hCG treatment, compared with 1 h, VEGF mRNA was increased by 1.25-fold, 3.19-fold, 4.21-fold, and 4.86-fold and annexin IV by 2.23-fold, 3.37-fold, 5.14-fold, and 5.02-fold. Compared with the control group, annexin IV mRNA and protein were increased in the hCG and hCG/PD98059 groups (mRNA/protein: 1.99-fold/1.80-fold and 2.33-fold/1.93-fold, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, VEGF mRNA and protein were increased in the hCG group (mRNA/protein: 2.30-fold/1.86-fold), but not in the hCG/PD98059 group. Conclusion hCG could upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of annexin IV and VEGF. The upregulation of annexin IV by hCG could not be inhibited by PD98059, but the upregulation of VEGF by hCG could.
Highlights
After counting the cells and calculating their proportions, the results showed that the proportions between the glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells at inoculation and when adding human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were 25.8 ± 0.15% and 27.8 ± 0.04%, respectively (P > 0.05)
Discussion ere is a possibility that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and annexin IV are regulated through the luteinizing hormone (LH)/hCG-R during embryo implantation, but data are needed. erefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism of hCG on the expression of annexin IV and VEGF in human endometrial cells. e present study suggests that hCG upregulates the mRNA and protein expression of annexin IV and VEGF. e upregulation of annexin IV by hCG did not involve the MAPK pathway, but the upregulation of VEGF by hCG did involve MAPK. ese results highlight the regulation of annexin IV and VEGF during the implantation window
E morphology and function of the endometrium are highly dependent on their regulation by hormones. e transformation of the proliferative phase of the endometrium to the implantation window is regulated by estrogens, progesterone, and possibly by other unknown factors. e LH peak is the most critical factor to promote oocyte maturation, embryonic development, and synchronous endometrial receptivity [16, 17]. e expression of LH/hCG-R on the endometrium prompted that LH/hCG-R may serve as a signal that prompts embryo implantation and development
Summary
Whether changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and annexin IV during implantation are regulated through the LH/hCG-R needs further research. To investigate the mechanism of hCG on the expression of annexin IV and VEGF in human endometrial cells. Under the action of serum LH peak or exogenous hCG, the endometrial tissue transforms from the proliferative phase to the secretory phase, entering the implantation window During this process, many local molecules such as integrin, adhesion molecules, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor are expressed [5,6,7]. Biochemistry Research International erefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of hCG on the expression of annexin IV and VEGF in human endometrial cells in an in vitro culture model
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