Evidence for expression and functionality of FSH and LH/hCG receptors in human endometrium.
J Assist Reprod Genet
; 35(9): 1703-1712, 2018 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29974367
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) mediate intracellular functions by binding their specific protein G-coupled gonadotrophin receptor, respectively FSH receptor (FSHR) and LH/choriogonadotrophin receptor (LHCGR). Whereas the expression of FSHR and LHCGR in mammals was considered gonad-specific and cell-specific, studies identified gonadotrophin receptors in human female extragonadal reproductive tissues. This study aims to demonstrate that gonadotrophin receptors are expressed in endometrium and mediates intracellular functions.METHODS:
Collected endometria (n = 12) from healthy patients (mean age of 36 ± 6) were primary cultured for 24 h. The presence of gonadotrophin receptors was evaluated by RT-PCR followed by the sequencing of the resulted amplicons and by immunohistochemistry in original samples. Endometrial primary cultures were treated with increasing concentration (range 0-100 ng/ml) of either recombinant human LH (rhLH) or recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). Endometria controls had gonadotrophin replaced by the same volume of the culture medium. In gonadotrophin-treated samples, it was evaluated the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content by enzymatic immunoassay and the expression of steroidogenic genes by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).RESULTS:
The sequencing of the RT-PCR amplicons confirmed the presence of both gonadotrophin receptors and immunohistochemistry localized them on the membrane of endometrial glands cells throughout the glandular epithelium. The gonadotrophin-receptor complex was able to increase the intracellular cAMP in a dose-response and time-course manner and to induce steroidogenic genes expression.CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates that both gonadotrophin receptors are expressed along the glandular epithelium of endometria and they mediate the effects of gonadotrophins on intracellular functions.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Temas:
Geral
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Receptores do FSH
/
Receptores do LH
/
Endométrio
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Assist Reprod Genet
Assunto da revista:
GENETICA
/
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália