Deciphering the role of PGRMC2 in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle and in vitro decidualization using an in vitro approach.

Study Question: What is the human endometrial non-classical progesterone receptor (PGR) membrane component 2 (PGRMC2) expression pattern throughout the menstrual cycle and what role does it play during decidualization?

Summary Answer: Endometrial PGRMC2 expression fluctuates during the human menstrual cycle and is abundantly expressed in human endometrial stromal cells (hEnSCs) during in vitro decidualization, process where PGRMC2 is involved in embryo implantation-related pathways.

What Is Known Already: The endometrial response to progesterone is mediated by the classical and non-classical PGRs. We previously demonstrated that PGR membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is critical for endometrial function, embryo implantation, and future placentation, however, the role(s) of PGRMC2, which is structurally similar to PGRMC1, have not been studied in the human endometrium.

Uterine natural killer cells: from foe to friend in reproduction.

Background: Recurrent miscarriage and pre-eclampsia are common reproductive disorders, but their causes are often unknown. Recent evidence has provided new insight into immune system influences in reproductive disorders. A subset of lymphocytes of the innate immune system known as uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are now recognized as fundamental to achieving embryo implantation and successful pregnancy, but were initially attributed a bad reputation.