1
|
Roberson EC, Tran NK, Godambe AN, Mark H, Nguimtsop M, Rust T, Ung E, Barker LJ, Fitch RD, Wallingford JB. Hedgehog signaling is required for endometrial remodeling and myometrial homeostasis in the cycling mouse uterus. iScience 2023; 26:107993. [PMID: 37810243 PMCID: PMC10551904 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Decades of work demonstrate that the mammalian estrous cycle is controlled by cycling steroid hormones. However, the signaling mechanisms that act downstream, linking hormonal action to the physical remodeling of the cycling uterus, remain unclear. To address this issue, we analyzed gene expression at all stages of the mouse estrous cycle. Strikingly, we found that several genetic programs well-known to control tissue morphogenesis in developing embryos displayed cyclical patterns of expression. We find that most of the genetic architectures of Hedgehog signaling (ligands, receptors, effectors, and transcription factors) are transcribed cyclically in the uterus, and that conditional disruption of the Hedgehog receptor smoothened not only elicits a failure of normal cyclical thickening of the endometrial lining but also induces aberrant deformation of the uterine smooth muscle. Together, our data shed light on the mechanisms underlying normal uterine remodeling specifically and cyclical gene expression generally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elle C Roberson
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ngan Kim Tran
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Anushka N Godambe
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Harrison Mark
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Michelle Nguimtsop
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Trinity Rust
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Elizabeth Ung
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - LeCaine J Barker
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rebecca D Fitch
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - John B Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bulletti C, Bulletti FM, Sciorio R, Guido M. Progesterone: The Key Factor of the Beginning of Life. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214138. [PMID: 36430614 PMCID: PMC9692968 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone is the ovarian steroid produced by the granulosa cells of follicles after the LH peak at mid-cycle. Its role is to sustain embryo endometrial implantation and ongoing pregnancy. Other biological effects of progesterone may exert a protective function in supporting pregnancy up to birth. Luteal phase support (LPS) with progesterone is the standard of care for assisted reproductive technology. Progesterone vaginal administration is currently the most widely used treatment for LPS. Physicians and patients have been reluctant to change an administration route that has proven to be effective. However, some questions remain open, namely the need for LPS in fresh and frozen embryo transfer, the route of administration, the optimal duration of LPS, dosage, and the benefit of combination therapies. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the uterine and extra-uterine effects of progesterone that may play a role in embryo implantation and pregnancy, and to discuss the advantages of the use of progesterone for LPS in the context of Good Medical Practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Bulletti
- Extra Omnes, Assisted Reproductive Technology, ART Center, Via Gallinelli, 8, 47841 Cattolica, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Romualdo Sciorio
- Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Maurizio Guido
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| |
Collapse
|