title: 11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in human endometrium.
abstract: Key reproductive events, such as menstruation and implantation, are considered to be inflammatory processes and glucocorticoids act as anti-inflammatory agents. The balance of expression of types 1 and 2 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11betaHSD) controls the availability of cortisol to bind to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Expression profiles of glucocorticoid-metabolising enzymes and their cognate receptors have been characterized in the reproductive tract. We propose that factors that peripherally promote glucocorticoid action are part of an anti-inflammatory response to tissue remodelling in human endometrium. Protein and mRNA expression in endometrium were investigated using immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR. There was up-regulated expression of 11betaHSD-1 at menstruation and in first trimester decidua. 11BetaHSD-2 and GR were expressed across the cycle. The MR expression pattern across the cycle and in decidua implies progesterone may also play a regulatory role. The precise roles and interactions of these proteins require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh School of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Teresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Celso E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Gomez-Sanchez
authors.forename: Hilary O D
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Critchley
authors.forename: J Ian
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2