Exploring the mechanism of NDRG2 in regulating endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation

Endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation are pivotal events for successful pregnancy, yet the underlying molecular regulatory networks remain incompletely defined. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and regulatory role of NDRG2 during embryonic implantation. We first examined endogenous NDRG2 expression in human and mouse endometrial tissues across different phases. A uterine intraluminal injection of NDRG2 siRNA was performed to knock down its expression in mice. In vitro trophoblast-Ishikawa cell adhesion assays were conducted, combined with RNA-seq and RT-qPCR screening to identify downstream target genes. Our results demonstrated that NDRG2 expression was significantly upregulated in human secretory-phase endometrium and mouse endometrium at the implantation stage. Functional experiments revealed that silencing NDRG2 markedly decreased the embryo implantation rate in mice. In vitro, NDRG2 knockdown inhibited the adhesive ability of Ishikawa cells and prominently suppressed the expression of FHL1. NDRG2 was closely correlated with FHL1 expression and may participate in the regulation of endometrial cell adhesion via FHL1.