Progesterone-dependent regulation of endometrial cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1-R) expression is disrupted in women with endometriosis and in isolated stromal cells exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).
OBJECTIVE
To examine the differentiation-related expression of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1-R) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in endometrial tissue obtained from women with and without endometriosis and to determine the impact of acute 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure on CB1-R gene expression in isolated endometrial stromal cells.


METHODS
Laboratory-based study.


METHODS
University-affiliated medical center.


METHODS
Women with and without endometriosis undergoing volunteer endometrial biopsies after informed consent.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Analysis of in vivo CB1-R mRNA and protein expression in human endometrial tissues and mRNA expression in isolated stromal cells after exposure to TCDD or a progesterone receptor antagonist (onapristone).


RESULTS
Expression of CB1-R mRNA and protein was highest during the progesterone-dominated secretory phase in control samples, but expression was minimal in the endometrial tissues acquired from women with endometriosis, regardless of the cycle phase. Although progesterone was found to induce CB1-R mRNA expression in endometrial stromal cells from control donors, steroid-induced expression of this gene was inhibited by cotreatment with either TCDD or onapristone.


CONCLUSIONS
Our studies reveal a role for the anti-inflammatory actions of progesterone in regulating endometrial cannabinoid signaling, which is disrupted in women with endometriosis. We demonstrate for the first time that acute TCDD exposure disrupts cannabinoid signaling in the human endometrium.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
David
D
Resuehr
Dana R
DR
Glore
Hugh S
HS
Taylor
Kaylon L
KL
Bruner-Tran
Kevin G
KG
Osteen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006067:Gonanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006067:Gonanes; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D011374:Progesterone; C053238:onapristone