Evidence for cycle-dependent expression of full-length human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA in human endometrium and decidua
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Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization
Published on: September 1, 2018
Peter Licht1, Michael von Wolff, Alexander Berkholz
1Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. peter.licht@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Objective:
To investigate the expression of full-length and truncated hCG/LH-receptor mRNA in human endometrium and decidua.
Design:
In vitro experiment.
Setting:
Tertiary university center.
Patient(S):
Premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy because of benign diseases or induced abortions.
Intervention(S):
Isolation of RNA from endometrial samples, reverse transcription, selective preamplification of full-length hCG/LH receptor mRNA and several shorter fragments of the receptor gene (exons 1-11, 1-10, and 1-5), nested polymerase chain reaction with internal primers.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Appropriately sized cDNA product confirmed by sequencing.
Result(S):
All samples derived from the proliferative as well as from the early and mid-luteal phases were positive for all four amplification products, suggesting the expression of a full-length hCG/LH receptor mRNA. Only 5 of 8 samples derived from the late secretory phase and 2 of 12 samples derived from early decidua amplified the entire receptor sequence. In contrast, the shortest fragment (exons 1-5), coding for part of the extracellular receptor domain, was amplified in all samples.
Conclusion(S):
The data suggest cycle-dependent regulation of hCG/LH-receptor mRNA by changes in the alternative splicing pattern and down-regulation of full-length hCG/LH receptor mRNA in early decidua. The major splicing site appears to be located between introns 5 and 9. Alternative splicing may be a mechanism regulating hCG/LH-receptor down-regulation.
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