Microarray analysis of genes controlled by progesterone in human endometrial stromal cells in vitro

The steroid hormone progesterone is a key factor in establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in the human endometrium. To obtain a global view and identify new target genes for progesterone in human endometrial stromal cells in short-term (3 days) culture, we used a screening strategy to analyze the expression of nearly 1000 human genes by DNA microarray analysis. The results showed that six genes were up-regulated (at least a two-fold increase), and 27 genes were down-regulated (at least a two-fold decrease) after progesterone treatment compared with control. Progesterone stimulated the expression of the interleukin (IL)-1 receptor type 1, fibulin-1, fibulin-2, microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1, fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase and orphan G protein-coupled receptor (RDC1). Progesterone inhibited the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor, and IL-13 receptor alpha2. In addition, progesterone inhibited the expression of genes involved in immune modulators, DNA/chromatin-related proteins, signal transduction, transcription factors, transport proteins, enzyme, receptor and structural proteins. Our results demonstrate that microarray analysis can be used to identify progesterone-regulated genes in endometrial stromal cells, thus contributing to a more detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms in response to progesterone in the endometrium during the preparatory period for implantation.