The effects and mechanisms of GM-CSF on endometrial regeneration

Endometrial injury can result in thin endometrium and subfertility. Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) contributes to tissue repair, but its role in endometrial regeneration has not been investigated.

To determine the effect of GM-CSF on endometrial regeneration, we established a mouse model of thin endometrium by uterine perfusion with 20 μL 90% ethanol. Thin endometrium in mice was featured by lowered endometrial thickness, decreased expression of Ki67 in glandular cells, and a reduced number of implantation sites. To explore the mechanism of GM-CSF on endometrial regeneration, endometrium was obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy or hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. Effects of GM-CSF on primary cultured human endometrial glandular and stromal cells were examined by the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) proliferation assay and transwell migration assay, followed by exploration of the potential signaling pathway.

GM-CSF intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection significantly increased endometrial thickness, expression of Ki67 in endometrial glandular cells, and the number of implantation sites. GM-CSF significantly promoted proliferation of primary human endometrial glandular cells and migration of stromal cells. GM-CSF activated p-Akt and increased expressions of p70S6K and c-Jun, which were blocked by LY294002.

We found that GM-CSF could improve endometrial regeneration, possibly through activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.