title: Uterine and embryonic trophoblast CRH promotes implantation and maintenance of early pregnancy.
abstract: Epithelial cells of human endometrium and differentiated endometrial stromal cells express the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) gene. CRH is also produced by the human placental cytotrophoblast. Endometrial and placental CRH is under the endocrine control of gonadal steroids as well as under an autocrine/paracrine regulation by prostanoids and interleukins. Human endometrium, myometrium and placenta also express the relevant receptors. Invasive trophoblasts promote apoptosis of activated Fas-expressing human T lymphocytes, an effect potentiated by CRH and inhibited by the CRH type 1 antagonist, antalarmin. Female rats treated with antalarmin during the first 6 days of gestation had a dose-dependent decrease of implantation sites and live embryos, and significantly decreased endometrial FasL expression. Our data suggest important physiological roles of endometrial and placental CRH in the regulation of decidualization, blastocyst implantation, and early maternal tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece. makrigia@med.uoc.gr
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makrigiannakis
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zoumakis
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalantaridou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chrousos
authors.forename: Achilleas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gravanis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1
chemical_list: D011743:Pyrimidines; D011758:Pyrroles; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; C103016:antalarmin; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone