Modulation of small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) expression in the mouse uterus by estradiol and progesterone

Abstract

BackgroundWe have previously demonstrated that four members of the family of small leucine-rich-proteoglycans (SLRPs) of the extracellular matrix (ECM), named decorin, biglycan, lumican and fibromodulin, are deeply remodeled in mouse uterine tissues along the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. It is known that the combined action of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) orchestrates the estrous cycle and prepares the endometrium for pregnancy, modulating synthesis, deposition and degradation of various molecules. Indeed, we showed that versican, another proteoglycan of the ECM, is under hormonal control in the uterine tissues.MethodsE2 and/or medroxiprogesterone acetate (MPA) were used to demonstrate, by real time PCR and immunoperoxidase staining, respectively, their effects on mRNA expression and protein deposition of these SLRPs, in the uterine tissues.ResultsDecorin and lumican were constitutively expressed and deposited in the ECM in the absence of the ovarian hormones, whereas deposition of biglycan and fibromodulin were abolished from the uterine ECM in the non-treated group. Interestingly, ovariectomy promoted an increase in decorin, lumican and fibromodulin mRNA levels, while biglycan mRNA conspicuously decreased. Hormone replacement with E2 and/or MPA differentially modulates their expression and deposition.ConclusionsThe patterns of expression of these SLRPs in the uterine tissues were found to be hormone-dependent and uterine compartment-related. These results reinforce the existence of subpopulations of endometrial fibroblasts, localized into distinct functional uterine compartments, resembling the organization into basal and functional layers of the human endometrium.

Sterile inflammation as a factor in human male infertility: Involvement of Toll like receptor 2, biglycan and peritubular cells

“…The reasons for this are not fully known, but our cellular studies indicated that E2 is involved and is able to increase the protein levels of BGN in HTPCs. Regulation of BGN by E2 and progesterone has been reported3839. In our study the anti-estrogenic drug ICI 182,78040 blocked the E2 action on BGN.…”

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues inhibit leiomyoma extracellular matrix despite presence of gonadal hormones

“…It is elevated in many types of cancer and can influence the metastatic potential of tumors (66,67). Estrogen has been shown to modulate VCAN expression in the mouse uterus, increasing the expression of the protein on exposure (68,69). We observed that E 2 increased VCAN protein concentration in 72 hours, but in combination with MPA, a significant stimulatory effect was observed within 24 hours of exposure.…”

Estradiol induces transcriptional and posttranscriptional modifications in versican expression in the mouse uterus

“…Data from our group have demonstrated that in mice, the deposition of collagens and proteoglycans in the uterine tissue varies along the estrous cycle and during early pregnancy (San Martin et al 2003; Spiess et al 2007; Salgado et al 2009a). In addition, using a model of ovariectomy and hormone replacement as experimental strategy, it was demonstrated that the expression and deposition of proteoglycans, such as the small leucine-rich proteglicans biglycan, decorin, fibromodulin and lumican, as well as versican, are differentially modulated in the uterine tissues by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) (Salgado et al 2009b, 2011). …”