Global gene expression profiling of proliferative phase endometrium reveals distinct functional subdivisions

The human endometrium follows a predictable pattern of development during the proliferative phase. Endometrial thickness increases after day 3 and then plateaus at days 9 to 10 of the menstrual cycle despite continued high serum levels of estrogen. We hypothesized that proliferative phase endometrium undergoes more than simple estrogen responsive growth, rather it is characterized by complex time-dependent functional activities reflected in differential gene expression. Nine endometrial RNA samples from healthy participants were subjected to microarray analysis and 15 samples were used for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The samples were divided into early, mid, or late proliferative phase. The early proliferative phase showed higher expression of genes including transforming growth factor β2, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18), and metallothionein 2A. The mid-proliferative phase was characterized by higher expression of heat shock proteins and implantation-associated genes including Indian hedgehog, secreted frizzled protein 4, and progesterone receptor. In the late proliferative phase, we identified increased angiotensin II receptor, type 2 and large decrease in expression of genes related to natural killer (NK) cell function. We demonstrate a unique gene expression signature at distinct time points within the proliferative phase. The early proliferative phase is characterized by tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, and modulation of inflammation; the mid-proliferative phase is characterized not only by proliferation in response to estrogens but also marks the onset of expression of genes required for endometrial receptivity and a dampening of estrogen responsiveness. In the late proliferative phase, changes in immune function and NK cells predominate. The proliferative phase is not simply a uniform period of estrogen responsive endometrial growth that can be considered as a single experimental time point when evaluating endometrial development; rather the proliferative phase is complex with differing functions and patterns of gene expression.