Dysregulated miR-124-3p in endometrial epithelial cells reduces endometrial receptivity by altering polarity and adhesion

Enhancement of endometrial receptivity by Bushen Zhuyun Decoction via cryptotanshinone-mediated TRIM28 induction and HIF-1α suppression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bushen Zhuyun Decoction (BSZYD), a traditional Chinese remedy, has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of luteal phase deficiency (LPD), though its mechanistic pathways remain largely undefined.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which BSZYD enhances endometrial receptivity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In an LPD rat model induced by RU-486 and treated with BSZYD, molecular markers of endometrial receptivity were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, these markers were analyzed in the RL95-2 human adenocarcinoma cell line following knockdown of Tripartite motif containing 28 (TRIM28). Network pharmacology and UPLC-MS/MS were utilized to identify bioactive components that modulate Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling, followed by validation through molecular docking. The interaction between HIF-1α and TRIM28 was assessed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and confocal microscopy. The effect of cryptotanshinone on TRIM28 expression was also examined in RL95-2 cells.

RESULTS

BSZYD significantly increased the number of embryo implantation sites and reduced endometrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in LPD rats. TRIM28 was found to be crucial for BSZYD's enhancement of endometrial receptivity. Cryptotanshinone, a key component of BSZYD, downregulated HIF-1α expression in RL95-2 cells. The interaction between HIF-1α and TRIM28 was confirmed both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, cryptotanshinone mitigated H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, HIF-1α agonist administration attenuated BSZYD's ability to induce TRIM28 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

BSZYD and its bioactive constituent, cryptotanshinone, promote endometrial receptivity by inhibiting HIF-1α and upregulating TRIM28. These findings offer novel molecular targets and pharmacological insights for the prevention and treatment of LPD.

Endometrial Aging and Reproductive Decline: The Central Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Socioeconomic factors have led an increasing number of women to postpone childbirth, thereby elevating the risks of reduced fertility, pregnancy complications, preterm birth, cesarean delivery, and chromosomal abnormalities. While diminished oocyte quality is a well-established contributor to age-related infertility, endometrial dysfunction also plays a pivotal role. Optimizing both oocyte quality and endometrial health is essential for enhancing reproductive outcomes. Although aging has been defined by twelve hallmarks, research specifically addressing age-related changes in endometrial function remains limited. This review examines the process of endometrial aging, with a particular emphasis on mitochondrial function. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published up to 31 January 2025. Endometrial aging is driven by multiple biological mechanisms, most notably the decline in endometrial receptivity. Key contributing factors include hormonal dysregulation, chronic inflammation, cell cycle arrest, genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, telomere attrition, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Among these, mitochondrial dysfunction emerges as a central driver of the aging process. Endometrial senescence, precipitated by irreversible mitochondrial impairment, may underlie the progressive decline in reproductive potential. Elucidating the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in aging provides critical insights into the molecular basis of fertility decline, particularly through its impact on endometrial receptivity.

Bibliometric analysis of the links between embryo transfer and endometrial receptivity: Mapping knowledge landscapes and emerging trends (2005-2024)

BACKGROUND

Infertility is a significant global reproductive health challenge with varying prevalence across regions. While assisted reproductive technologies, especially in vitro fertilization, have created new possibilities for treating infertility, embryo transfer success remains limited by multiple factors, particularly endometrial receptivity. Understanding the relationship between embryo transfer and endometrial receptivity is crucial for advancing reproductive medicine and improving infertility treatment outcomes. To address the lack of bibliometric analysis in this field, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric study of relevant academic literature.

METHODS

We analyzed articles and reviews on endometrial receptivity and embryo transfer from the Web of Science Core Collection using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix package. The analysis focused on countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords, and references.

RESULTS

We identified 1478 documents published over 2 decades, showing an upward trend in annual publications. China led in publication volume, while the USA had the highest citation impact. The University of Valencia and Shanghai Jiao Tong University were the most productive institutions, with fertility and sterility being the leading journal. Simón, C emerged as the most influential author based on publication count and citations. Key research areas included comparing fresh versus frozen embryo transfer, addressing repeated implantation failure, and improving endometrial receptivity. The endometrial receptivity array for personalized embryo transfer represents an emerging research direction in reproductive medicine.

CONCLUSION

This first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of embryo transfer and endometrial receptivity research provides valuable insights into knowledge development, research hotspots, and future directions in the field, serving as a crucial reference for scholars in reproductive medicine.

Endometrial Receptivity-Lessons from "Omics"

The window of implantation (WOI) is a critical phase of the menstrual cycle during which the endometrial lining becomes receptive and facilitates embryo implantation. Drawing on findings from various branches of "omics", including genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, this narrative review aims to (1) discuss mechanistic insights on endometrial receptivity and its implication in infertility; (2) highlight advances in investigations for endometrial receptivity; and (3) discuss novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that may improve reproductive outcomes.

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Female Infertility

The study of microRNAs (miRNAs) has emerged in recent decades as a key approach to understanding the pathophysiology of many diseases, exploring their potential role as biomarkers, and testing their use as future treatments. Not only have neurological, cardiovascular diseases, or cancer benefited from this research but also infertility. Female infertility, as a disease, involves alterations at multiple levels, such as ovarian and uterine alterations. This review compiles the latest studies published in humans that link female disorders that affect fertility with altered miRNA profiles. Studies on ovarian alterations, including diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), poor ovarian response to stimulation (POR), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are summarized and classified based on the expression and type of sample analyzed. Regarding uterine disorders, this review highlights upregulated and downregulated miRNAs primarily identified as biomarkers for endometriosis, adenomyosis, decreased endometrial receptivity, and implantation failure. However, despite the large number of studies in this field, the same limitations that reduce reproducibility are often observed. Therefore, at the end of this review, the main limitations of this type of study are described, as well as specific precautions or safety measures that should be considered when handling miRNAs.