Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Biol Reprod. 2019 Jun 1;100(6):1417-1430. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioz024.
TGF-β signaling in the endometrium is active during the implantation period and has a pivotal role in regulating endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation. During embryo implantation, both apoptosis and proliferation of endometrial cells happen at the same time and it seems TGF-β is the factor that controls both of these processes. As shown in cancer cells, in special conditions this cytokine can have a dual effect and switch the action from apoptosis to proliferation. Owing to the similarity between embryo implantation and cancer development and also unusual pattern of proliferation and remodeling in the uterus, in this review we suggest the existence of such a switching in endometrium during the early pregnancy. Moreover, we address some potential mechanisms that could regulate the switching. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating TGF-β action and signaling during the implantation period could pave the way for introducing novel therapeutic strategies in order to solve implantation-associated issues such as repeated implantation failure.
TGF-β 信号在子宫内膜中的作用在着床期活跃，在调节子宫内膜容受性和胚胎着床中起着关键作用。在胚胎着床过程中，子宫内膜细胞的凋亡和增殖同时发生，而 TGF-β 似乎是控制这两个过程的因素。如在癌细胞中所示，在特殊条件下，这种细胞因子可以产生双重作用，并将作用从凋亡切换到增殖。由于胚胎着床和癌症发展之间存在相似性，以及子宫中异常的增殖和重塑模式，在这篇综述中，我们提出了在早孕期间子宫内膜中存在这种切换的可能性。此外，我们还探讨了一些可能调节这种切换的潜在机制。更好地了解调节 TGF-β 在着床期的作用和信号的分子机制，可能为引入新的治疗策略铺平道路，以解决与着床相关的问题，如反复着床失败。
