title: Cannabinoid receptor I activation markedly inhibits human decidualization.
abstract: The role of cannabinoid receptor I (CBR-1) in the induction of decidualization was examined using decidual fibroblasts and human endometrial stromal cells as model systems. Decidual fibroblasts decidualized in vitro for 3 and 6 days in the presence of the CBR-1 agonist R(+)-WIN 55,212-2 mesylate (WIN, 0.1-10 microM) expressed less of the decidualization-specific markers prolactin, CBR-1, forkhead (FKHR), TIMP-3, laminin, endometrial bleeding associated factor (EBAF), decorin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) mRNA levels compared to control cells. The maximal decrease for each transcript was in the range of 50-99%. In contrast, cells exposed to the CBR-1 inhibitor AM-251 (1 microM) expressed about two-fold higher levels of the decidualization-specific marker gene mRNAs. The WIN-exposed cells showed a marked decrease in intracellular cAMP levels and a progressive, concentration-dependent increase in DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay) and caspase 3 levels during decidualization compared to control cells. These studies strongly suggest that activation of CBR-1 inhibits human decidualization and stimulates apoptosis by a cAMP-dependent mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Moghadam
authors.forename: Cherie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: Anoop K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Brar
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Handwerger
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D048588:Benzoxazines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003656:Decidua / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000071161:Forkhead Box Protein O1; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007797:Laminin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055458:Left-Right Determination Factors; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D048588:Benzoxazines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002186:Cannabinoids; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C085126:FOXO1 protein, human; D000071161:Forkhead Box Protein O1; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; C411603:LEFTY2 protein, human; D007797:Laminin; D055458:Left-Right Determination Factors; D009025:Morpholines; D009281:Naphthalenes; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C103505:AM 251; C070417:(3R)-((2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-((4-morpholinyl)methyl)pyrrolo-(1,2,3-de)-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)(1-naphthalenyl))methanone; D011388:Prolactin; D000242:Cyclic AMP