Decreased expression of c-kit and telomerase in a rat model of chronic endometrial ischemia

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundIt was unclear whether chronic endometrial ischemia contributed to the pathogenesis of thin endometrium and was associated with decreased endometrial stem/progenitor cell. Thus, we explored the role of chronic endometrial ischemia in the pathogenesis of thin endometrium and its effect on endometrial stem/progenitor cells apoptosis.Material/MethodsIn vitro, endometrial side population (ESP) cell apoptosis models were built, and apoptosis was quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, pou5f1, and c-kit mRNA was detected by qPCR. In vivo, a rat model of chronic endometrial ischemia was induced by performing bilateral uterine artery ligation. TERT and caspase3 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Pou5f1 and c-kit mRNA was examined by qPCR. C-kit, caspase3 and telomerase were detected by Western blot.ResultsIn the in vitro endometrial SP (ESP) cells apoptosis model, we found that the apoptotic rate was gradually increased with time, prolonging the expression of TERT, and c-kit mRNA was gradually decreased. In the in vivo endometrial SP (ESP) cells apoptosis model, we found that endometrial thickness, luminal epithelium thickness, gland epithelium thickness and the number of glands in the experiment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of c-kit, pou5f1 and telomerase was significantly lower in the experimental group than those in the control group (P<0.05). The expression level of caspase3 was significantly higher in the experimental group compared with that in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe present work shows that chronic ischemia and chronic endometrial ischemia-associated stem/progenitor cells apoptosis may be responsible for the pathogenesis of thin endometrium.

Effects of icariin on the expression of ER, VEGF, and KDR in the endometrial cells of thin endometrium

“…The treatments mainly focus on medications that target the primary disease by regulating endocrine secretion and improving microcirculation (Gargett and Masuda, 2010;Glujovsky et al, 2010;Zhao et al, 2010;Bodombossou-Djobo et al, 2011;Gleicher et al, 2011;Hu and Yuan, 2011;Nagori et al, 2011;Revel, 2012). The treatment efficacy of icariin on thin endometrium has been approved based on the results from clinical trials.…”

Loss of c-Kit in Endothelial Cells Protects against Hindlimb Ischemia

“…The angiogenic effects of c-Kit signaling during ischemia [ 43 ], retina pathological neovascularization [ 28 ], and in the cancer field [ 44 ] are well described in the literature. Although neovascularization may not be a welcome process in the retina and in cancer, c-Kit signaling has always been seen as contributing positively to increasing angiogenesis for ischemia diseases.…”