Journal article
Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition Contributes to Endometrial Regeneration Following Natural and Artificial Decidualization
Stem cells and development, Vol.22(6), pp.964-974
03/15/2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103570
PMCID: PMC3585744
PMID: 23216285
Abstract
Despite being a histologically dynamic organ, mechanisms coordinating uterine regeneration during the menstrual/estrous cycle and following parturition are poorly understood. In the current study, we hypothesized that endometrial epithelial tissue regeneration is accomplished, in part, by mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET). To test this hypothesis, fate mapping studies were completed using a double transgenic (Tg) reporter strain,
Amhr2-Cre
;
Rosa26-Stop
fl/fl-EYFP
(i.e., flox-stop EYFP reporter). EYFP expression was observed in Müllerian duct mesenchyme-derived stroma and myometrium, but not epithelia in young and peripubertal double Tg female mice. However, mosaic EYFP expression was observed in epithelia of double Tg mice after parturition. To ensure the observed epithelial EYFP expression was not due to leaky
Amhr2
promoter activity, resulting in aberrant Cre expression, transgenic mice expressing
LacZ
under the control of the
Amhr2
promoter (
Amhr2-LacZ
) were used to monitor β-galactosidase (β-Gal) activity within the uterus. β-Gal activity was not detected in luminal or glandular epithelia regardless of age, reproductive status, or degree of damage incurred within the uterus. Lastly, a unique population of transitional cells was identified that expressed the epithelial cell marker, pan-cytokeratin, and the stromal cell marker, vimentin. These cells localized predominantly to the regeneration zone in the mesometrial region of the endometrium. These findings suggest a previously unappreciated role for MET in endometrial regeneration and have important implications for proliferative diseases of the endometrium such as endometriosis.
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Details
- Title
- Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition Contributes to Endometrial Regeneration Following Natural and Artificial Decidualization
- Creators
- Amanda L Patterson - 1Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WashingtonLing Zhang - 2Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MassachusettsNelson A Arango - 3Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MassachusettsJose Teixeira - 2Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MassachusettsJames K Pru - 1Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
- Publication Details
- Stem cells and development, Vol.22(6), pp.964-974
- Academic Unit
- Animal Sciences, Department of
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
- Identifiers
- 99900546688601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article