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Regulation of human decidual function by epidermal growth factor
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Hormone Research
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is crucial for human decidualization. EGF production, its receptor, and cell proliferation increase during decidualization, suggesting a key autocrine/paracrine regulatory role.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Decidualization is a critical process in early pregnancy.
- The role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in human decidualization remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulatory mechanism of EGF in human decidualization.
- To assess EGF gene expression, EGF receptor changes, and EGF's proliferative effects in the endometrium/decidua.
Main Methods:
- Northern blot hybridization to detect EGF gene expression.
- In situ hybridization to localize prepro-EGF mRNA.
- Scatchard plot analysis for EGF receptor binding.
- In vivo and in vitro decidualization models.
Main Results:
- EGF gene expression and EGF receptor binding sites increased significantly during decidualization.
- Prepro-EGF mRNA was localized to decidual stromal cells.
- EGF stimulated cell proliferation in decidual cells.
Conclusions:
- EGF production and its receptor are upregulated during human decidualization.
- EGF plays a significant role in regulating decidualization via autocrine/paracrine signaling.