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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Isolation of Primary Human Decidual Cells from the Fetal Membranes of Term Placentae
Published on: April 30, 2018
Thrombin and interleukin-1beta regulate HOXA10 expression in human term decidual cells: implications for preterm
Jennifer L Sarno1, Frederick Schatz, Charles J Lockwood
1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
Intraamniotic infection or abruption significantly reduces HOXA10 expression in decidual cells. This decrease in HOXA10 may drive progestin resistance, a key factor in preterm labor.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Molecular endocrinology
- Genetics of parturition
Background:
- Preterm delivery is often linked to intraamniotic infection or abruption, involving inflammatory cytokines like IL-1beta or thrombin.
- Progesterone resistance, rather than withdrawal, is implicated in human parturition.
- Hoxa10(-/-) mice exhibit progesterone resistance, with altered gene regulation in response to progesterone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that IL-1beta or thrombin reduce HOXA10 expression.
- To explore the role of HOX gene regulation by IL-1beta and thrombin in decidual cells.
- To understand the contribution to a progestin-resistant uterine environment.
Main Methods:
- In vitro study using term human decidual cells.
- Treatment with estradiol (E2) +/- medroxyprogesterone acetate, followed by thrombin or IL-1beta.
- Analysis of HOX gene mRNA via microarray and RT-PCR; protein expression via immunohistochemistry and Western analysis.
Main Results:
- HOXA9, HOXA10, and HOXA11 were expressed and regulated by IL-1beta and thrombin in decidual cells.
- IL-1beta and thrombin significantly decreased HOXA10 mRNA and protein expression, even with progesterone treatment.
- HOXA10 mRNA levels dropped by 72-94% in response to IL-1beta or thrombin.
Conclusions:
- HOXA10 protein expression at term suggests a role in maintaining decidual cell function and pregnancy.
- The substantial reduction of HOXA10 by IL-1beta or thrombin may promote progestin resistance in preterm labor.
- This mechanism mirrors the progesterone resistance observed in Hoxa10(-/-) mice.
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