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Updated: Jan 31, 2026
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Isolation of Mouse Endometrial Epithelial and Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization
Published on: March 2, 2017
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Rab11a drives adhesion molecules to the surface of endometrial epithelial cells
Ruchi Kakar-Bhanot1, Krupanshi Brahmbhatt1, Bhagyashree Chauhan1
1Primate Biology Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR-NIRRH), Mumbai, India.
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|January 1, 2019
Summary
Rab11a GTPase is crucial for endometrial epithelial cell adhesion and embryo implantation. Reduced Rab11a levels impair cell surface proteins, impacting fertility and potentially causing unexplained infertility.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Rab11a GTPase regulates intracellular trafficking, essential for cell adhesion and tissue integrity.
- Endometrial epithelium (EE) requires specific proteins on its surface for 'adhesiveness' and 'cohesiveness', critical for implantation.
- Mechanisms of cell adhesion molecule (CAM) transport to the EE surface are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Rab11a in the trafficking of CAMs (integrins and E-cadherin) to the EE cell surface.
- To determine if Rab11a influences endometrial receptivity and fertility.
Main Methods:
- Generated Rab11a stable knockdown (Rab-kd) Ishikawa EE cell lines for in-vitro assays.
- Utilized JAr trophoblastic cell line spheroids for implantation assays.
- Analyzed endometrial tissues from fertile and infertile women.
- Employed techniques including live cell biotinylation, flow cytometry, trans-epithelial electrical resistance, wound healing, confocal microscopy, immunoblotting, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Rab11a knockdown significantly reduced surface localization of αVβ3 integrin and total E-cadherin levels.
- Impaired Rab11a function decreased JAr spheroid attachment to EE cells.
- Rab11a deficiency increased cell migration and decreased trans-epithelial electrical resistance, compromising epithelial integrity.
- Lower endometrial Rab11a and E-cadherin levels were observed in women with unexplained infertility during the receptive phase.
Conclusions:
- Rab11a plays a key role in trafficking αVβ3 integrin and maintaining E-cadherin at the EE cell surface.
- Rab11a is vital for endometrial receptivity and may be a factor in unexplained infertility.
- Targeting Rab11a-mediated CAM trafficking could offer new strategies for fertility regulation.
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