title: Complement C3 and decay-accelerating factor expression levels are modulated by human chorionic gonadotropin in endometrial compartments during the implantation window.
abstract: The control of complement activation in the embryo-maternal environment has been demonstrated to be critical for embryo survival. Complement proteins are expressed in the human endometrium; however, the modulation of this expression by embryo signals has not been explored. To assess the expression of complement proteins in response to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), we designed an experimental study using in vivo and in vitro models. Twelve fertile women were treated with hCG or left untreated during the mid-luteal phase, and an endometrial biopsy was performed 24 hours later. The localizations of C3, membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46), decay-accelerating factor (DAF; CD55), and protectin (CD59) were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of these proteins were quantified by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in cells harvested from endometrial compartments using laser capture microdissection. Endometrial explants were cultured with or without hCG for 24 hours, and the C3 and DAF protein levels were measured by Western blotting. Elevated C3 mRNA levels in stromal cells and elevated DAF levels in epithelial luminal cells were detected after hCG treatment. In the endometrial explant model, the progesterone receptor antagonist RU486 inhibited the increases in the levels of C3 and DAF in response to hCG. The findings of this study indicate that hCG plays a role in embryo-endometrium communication and affects the expression of complement proteins in endometrial compartments during the implantation window.
authors: Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología Campus Centro, Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile. wapalomino@gmail.com
authors: Wilder Alberto
authors: WA
authors: Palomino
authors: Felipe
authors: F
authors: Argandoña
authors: Rodrigo
authors: R
authors: Azúa
authors: Paulina
authors: P
authors: Kohen
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Devoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018958:CD55 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018957:CD59 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
chemical_list: D018958:CD55 Antigens; D018957:CD59 Antigens; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003176:Complement C3; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C051590:CD59 protein, human; D015735:Mifepristone
keywords: complement proteins; endometrial receptivity; hCG; implantation