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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization
Published on: September 1, 2018
A possible ambivalent role for relaxin in human myometrial and decidual cells in vitro
Dunja M Baston-Büst1, Alexandra P Hess, Jens Hirchenhain
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. baston-buest@unikid.de
Purpose:
Based on the reported tocolytic action of the hormone relaxin (RLX) in rodents, locally produced in reproductive tissues and the corpus luteum in mammals, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of RLX on contraction-mediating cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 (COX) and the contractile prostaglandin PGE(2) in human myometrial and decidual cells. Primary cultured cells were obtained from uteri and placentas of term and preterm women undergoing elective caesarean section.
Methods:
In vitro culture of primary myometrial and decidual cells, immunocytochemistry, reverse transcription and real-time PCR, Western blot, ELISA.
Results:
We demonstrate for the first time an activating effect of RLX for human COX-1 and COX-2 in primary myometrial and decidual cells in vitro.
Conclusions:
These effects might potentially contribute to birth-associated induction of contractions in vivo.
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