[Sphingolipids in embryonic implantation]

Embryonic implantation is a complex series of processes that establishes the connection between maternal and embryonic tissues and requires an intricate program of uterine preparation. During early gestation in invasively implanting species, the uterine stromal compartment undergoes dramatic remodeling, defined by the differentiation of stromal fibroblast cells into decidual cells. Lipid signaling molecules from a number of pathways are well-established functional components of this decidualization reaction. The decidua provides a vascular network for nutrition and gas exchange for the developing embryo before a functional placenta is established. Because of a correlation in the events that transpire in the uterus during early implantation with known functions of bioactive sphingolipid metabolites established from studies in other organ systems, we hypothesized that uterine sphingolipid metabolism would change during implantation Thus, sphingolipid metabolism regulates proper uterine decidualization and blood vessel stability. The findings also suggest that disturbance in sphingolipid metabolism may be considered as a cause of pregnancy loss in humans.