TGF beta superfamily signaling and uterine decidualization
File(s)
Author(s)
Ni, N
Li, Q
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Decidualization is an intricate biological process where extensive morphological, functional, and genetic changes take place in endometrial stromal cells to support the development of an implanting blastocyst. Deficiencies in decidualization are associated with pregnancy complications and reproductive diseases. Decidualization is coordinately regulated by steroid hormones, growth factors, and molecular and epigenetic mechanisms. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily signaling regulates multifaceted reproductive processes. However, the role of TGFβ signaling in uterine decidualization is poorly understood. Recent studies using the Cre-LoxP strategy have shed new light on the critical role of TGFβ signaling machinery in uterine decidualization. Herein, we focus on reviewing exciting findings from studies using both mouse genetics and in vitro cultured human endometrial stromal cells. We also delve into emerging mechanisms that underlie decidualization, such as non-coding RNAs and epigenetic modifications. We envision that future studies aimed at defining the interrelationship among TGFβ signaling circuitries and their potential interactions with epigenetic modifications/non-coding RNAs during uterine decidualization will open new avenues to treat pregnancy complications associated with decidualization deficiencies.
Date Issued
2017-10-13
Date Acceptance
2017-10-02
Citation
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 2017, 15
ISSN
1477-7827
Publisher
BioMed Central
Journal / Book Title
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Volume
15
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s). 2017 Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to
the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver
(http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to
the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver
(http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
License URL
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Reproductive Biology
TGF-beta
Activin
BMP
SMAD
TGFBR1
Decidualization
GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA
ENDOMETRIAL STROMAL CELLS
PREIMPLANTATION-MOUSE EMBRYOS
OVARIAN-FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT
IN-VITRO DECIDUALIZATION
OOCYTE-SECRETED FACTORS
PROGESTERONE-RECEPTOR
COMPROMISES DECIDUALIZATION
SMAD4 KNOCKOUT
CROSS-TALK
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
84