title: Blastocyst-endometrium interaction: intertwining a cytokine network.
abstract: The successful implantation of the blastocyst depends on adequate interactions between the embryo and the uterus. The development of the embryo begins with the fertilized ovum, a single totipotent cell which undergoes mitosis and gives rise to a multicellular structure named blastocyst. At the same time, increasing concentrations of ovarian steroid hormones initiate a complex signaling cascade that stimulates the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells to decidual cells, preparing the uterus to lodge the embryo. Studies in humans and in other mammals have shown that cytokines and growth factors are produced by the pre-implantation embryo and cells of the reproductive tract; however, the interactions between these factors that converge for successful implantation are not well understood. This review focuses on the actions of interleukin-1, leukemia inhibitory factor, epidermal growth factor, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor, and on the network of their interactions leading to early embryo development, peri-implantatory endometrial changes, embryo implantation and trophoblast differentiation. We also propose therapeutical approaches based on current knowledge on cytokine interactions.
authors.affiliation: Semillero de Investigación SIMBIOSIS, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. castrowilson@gmail.com
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Castro-Rendón
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Castro-Alvarez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guzmán-Martinez
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bueno-Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: C587883:HBEGF protein, human; C587884:Hbegf protein, mouse; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor