Murine abortion is associated with enhanced hyaluronan expression and abnormal localization at the fetomaternal...

The remodelling of the endometrial architecture is fundamental to create a suitable environment for the establishment of pregnancy. During this process, substantial alterations in the composition of maternal extracellular matrix play an important role by providing a prosperous medium for implantation as well as modulating trophoblast invasion leading to the formation of a functional placental unit. Hyaluronan is a conspicuous component of the extracellular matrix, particularly in remodelling tissues undergoing regeneration and repair. During gestation, changes in HA deposition and distribution indicate that this molecule may participate in preparation of the endometrial stroma for reception and implantation of the embryo. However, little is known about the role of hyaluronan at the fetomaternal interface, specially regarding its influence in pregnancy outcome. In the present study we show increased decidual hyaluronan levels in spontaneous abortion compared with normal pregnancy mice on gestation day 7.5. Both in normal and pathologic pregnancies, high molecular size hyaluronan was found at the fetomaternal unit. However, hyaluronan metabolism (which results from the activity of hyaluronan synthases and hyaluronidases) seems to be altered in spontaneous abortion as shown by a decrease in Hyal-3 expression as well as by differences in hyaluronan molecular size spectrum. This alteration in hyaluronan metabolism in spontaneous abortion could explain its increased concentration observed in decidua and the abnormal distribution of hyaluronan around the embryo implantation crypt. Thus, increased decidual hyaluronan levels resulting from abnormal deposition and turn over may contribute to the pathogenesis of pregnancy failure.