Heparin and low-molecular-weight heparins modulate the decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) on the decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) in vitro.


METHODS
In vitro experiment.


METHODS
Research laboratory at a medical university center.


METHODS
Premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for benign reasons.


METHODS
The ESCs were isolated from hysterectomy specimens, decidualized in vitro using progesterone and 17beta-estradiol, and incubated with unfractionated heparin and three different LMWHs.


METHODS
Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) 1, PRL, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I were measured using ELISA and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was determined by a fluorometric assay. Intracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) was measured using a luminescent assay.


RESULTS
Heparin dose- and time-dependently delayed the production of IGFBP-1 and amplified the levels of PRL and IGF-I in ESCs during decidualization in vitro. Similar effects were seen under the influence of the three different LMWHs. Intracellular cAMP was increased in decidualizing ESCs under the influence of heparin and LMWHs.


CONCLUSIONS
Unfractionated heparin as well as LMWHs are able to modulate the decidualization of human ESCs in vitro and therefore might be useful to control endometrial differentiation and receptivity in assisted reproduction.
Fluhr
Herbert
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Spratte
Julia
J
Ehrhardt
Jens
J
Steinmüller
Frauke
F
Licht
Peter
P
Zygmunt
Marek
M
D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D003656:Decidua / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000502:physiology*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology
D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D011388:Prolactin; D006493:Heparin; D000242:Cyclic AMP