title: Impaired CRH and urocortin expression and function in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women with endometriosis have altered endometrial function. CRH and urocortin (Ucn) are neuropeptides produced by human endometrium and modulate endometrial decidualization.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate endometrial mRNA expression of CRH and Ucn, their role in in vitro decidualization of cultured human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) in patients with endometriosis, and the role of CRH receptors (CHR-Rs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial specimens were obtained from patients with and without endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial biopsy obtained at both phases of menstrual cycle. In vitro decidualization of HESCs collected from endometriosis or control was done in the presence of CRH, Ucn, or CRH receptor type 1 (CRH-R1, antalarmin) or type 2 (CRH-R2, astressin 2b) antagonists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial mRNA expression of CRH and Ucn during endometrial cycle; prolactin, CRH-R1, and CRH-R2 mRNA expression during in vitro decidualization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In healthy women CRH and Ucn expression were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in secretory than in proliferative phase; no differences were observed in endometriotic women. During in vitro decidualization, prolactin mRNA expression and release in endometriosis was lower than in control (P < 0.001). CRH and Ucn were able to significantly increase (P < 0.01) prolactin release only in control group; moreover, in this group antalarmin reduced prolactin release (P < 0.01). CRH-R1 mRNA expression increased during in vitro decidualization of HESCs in control (P < 0.01) but not in endometriosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with endometriosis show an impaired endometrial expression of CRH and Ucn mRNA, and these neuropeptides are no more active in modulating the in vitro decidualization of HESCs, associated with a reduced expression of CRH-R1 mRNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Novembri
authors.forename: Lavinia Estrela
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carrarelli
authors.forename: Ana Luiza Lunardi
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Pascalis
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D054832:Urocortins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054832:Urocortins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone