help button home button Endocrine Society JCEM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, H. S.
Right arrow Articles by Arici, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, H. S.
Right arrow Articles by Arici, A.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 84, No. 3 1129-1135
Copyright © 1999 by The Endocrine Society


Original Studies

Sex Steroids Mediate HOXA11 Expression in the Human Peri-Implantation Endometrium1

Hugh S. Taylor, Peter Igarashi, David L. Olive and Aydin Arici

Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Hugh S. Taylor, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520. E-mail: Hugh.Taylor{at}Yale.edu


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Under the influence of sex steroids, human endometrium undergoes sequential development in preparation for implantation. Hoxa11 is essential for implantation in the mouse. Here we describe a potential role for HOXA11 in human endometrial development and implantation. Northern analysis demonstrates that HOXA11 is expressed in a menstrual cycle phase-dependent fashion in adult human endometrium. HOXA11 messenger RNA levels dramatically increase at the time of implantation and remain increased in pregnancy. In vitro, HOXA11 expression is increased in response to estrogen or progesterone. There is a dose-responsive increase over the physiologic range of progesterone concentration. Pretreatment with Cyclohexamide does not decrease the response to estrogen. Steroids are novel regulators HOX gene expression. The spatial and temporal pattern of HOXA11 expression in the human endometrium suggests a role in endometrial development, implantation, and maintenance of pregnancy.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
THE UTERINE ENDOMETRIUM undergoes dramatic changes in response to sex steroids in each menstrual cycle (1, 2). The successful implantation of the human preembryo is dependent on the synchronous development of a receptive endometrium (3, 4). Necessary is the proliferation and differentiation of the glandular and surface epithelium, stromal cells, vascular endothelium, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and other cells of connective tissue origin as well as the recruitment and activation of transiently resident bone marrow-derived cells (5, 6). Aberrant growth or differentiation of the endometrium can lead to abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, hyperplasia, and cancer. The proper maturation of the endometrium plays an essential role in human reproduction and disease. The molecular mechanisms that regulate development of this tissue are still poorly understood.

Attractive candidates for molecular mediators of endometrial development are the HOX genes. HOX genes are the vertebrate homologs of the Drosophila homeotic selector genes. These genes give identity to developing body segments in the fly (7). The homeotic genes encode homeodomain proteins that act as transcription factors (8, 9, 10). The highly conserved homeobox sequences can be detected in a diverse array of metazoans including humans and represent a universal molecular mechanism of developmental control (7, 11, 12, 13). Targeted disruption of Hox genes in mice have confirmed that they are required for proper embryonic development and play a similar role to their Drosophila counterparts (14). These genes are clustered on the chromosome and are expressed along the body axis in a colinear fashion with their order within the cluster (11). Therefore, those genes at the 5' end of the cluster are expressed more caudally and involved in reproductive system (15, 16).

Targeted mutation of the Hoxa11 gene in mice results in axial skeletal defects, limb deformities, and females with uterine factor infertility (17, 18). Mutant mice ovulate normally and produce embryos that are viable when transferred to a wild-type surrogate uterus. However, the Hoxa11 mutant mice have a uterus that does not allow implantation. Normal embryos transferred to the uterus of mutant mice fail to implant. Additionally, heterozygotes showed decreased implantation rates. The mutant uterus is unable to support embryonic development.

Although originally the implantation defect was thought to result from a defect in uterine development, it has recently been demonstrated that Hoxa11/HOXA11 expression persists in the adult endometrium of mice (18, 19) and humans (19). We hypothesize that regulation of this gene in the adult may mediate the development of the human endometrium. In the present study, we have examined HOXA11 gene expression in the human endometrium at phases across the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. We have also examined the role of sex steroids as novel modulators of HOX gene expression.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Tissue collection

Endometrium was collected from normal cycling women by endometrial biopsy with informed consent, under an approved institutional Human Investigations Committee protocol Endometrium was also obtained from four women using depomedroxyprogeterone acetate for contraception. Decidua was obtained from four normal first trimester elective terminations of pregnancy after obtaining informed consent. Half of the tissue was immediately frozen in the liquid nitrogen and stored at -72 C. The other half of the tissue sample was fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Menstrual cycle dating was determined by menstrual history and confirmed by histological examination using the criteria of Noyes et al. (2).

Northern blot analysis

Tissues or cultured cells were homogenized in 4 M guanidinium thiocyanate, 25 mM sodium citrate (pH 7.0), 0.5% sarkosyl, and 0.1 M 2-mercaptoethanol. Total RNA was size-fractionated on a 1% agarose-0.66 M formaldehyde gel with a [32P] labeled riboprobe as described below. Hybridization was performed overnight at 60 C in 50% formamide, 1 x SSC, 5 x Denhardt’s reagent, 0.2% transfer RNA, and [32P]-labeled riboprobe at 2(106) cpm/mL. The filter was washed twice at 68 C for 30 min in 0.1 x SSC and 0.1% SDS. Kodak (Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY) X-Omat AR film was exposed overnight at -70 C.

Probe preparation

Plasmids used for probe preparation were a generous gift from E. Boncinnelli and their use established by Boncinelli, ourselves and others (19, 20, 21). pGEM plasmids containing sequence from the 3' untranslated region of human HOXA11 were linearized with EcoRI or HindIII (New England Biolabs, Inc., Beverly, MA), ethanol precipitated and used as template for generation of riboprobes. Radiolabeled RNA probes were generated by in vitro transcription using the Promega Corp. riboprobe kit (Madison, WI). Sense and antisense probes were generated using the appropriate RNA polymerase (T7 or SP6) and labeled with alpha-[33P] or [32P] UTP (Amersham, Arlington Heights, IL).

In situ hybridization

In situ hybridization was performed with both sense and antisense [33P]-labeled riboprobes. Endometrium was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, cryoprotected in 30% sucrose, and embedded in OCT compound (Miles, Elkhart, IN). Ten micrometer frozen sections were obtained and mounted on Vectabond-coated slides (Vector Laboratories, Inc., Burlingame, CA). Before use, sections were treated with 0.2 M HCl, Pronase (0.16 mg/mL), and 0.026 M acetic anhydride, then dehydrated. Tissue sections were hybridized overnight with 3(106) cpm of each probe in 0.25 M NaCl, 0.01 M Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 0.01 M NaPO4 (pH 6.8), 5 mM EDTA, Ficoll 400 (0.02%), polyvinylpyrrolidone (0.02%), BSA fraction V (0.02%), 50% formamide, 12.5% dextran sulfate, yeast transfer RNA (tRNA) (1.25 mg/mL), and 10 mM dithiothreitol. Hybridization was performed in a humidified chamber for 16 h at 50 C. Slides were treated with RNase A at 37 C and then washed 16 h in 0.25 M NaCl, 0.01 M Tris-Cl (pH 7.5), 0.01 M NaPO4 (pH 6.8), 5 mM EDTA, Ficoll 400 (0.02%), polyvinylpyrrolidone (0.02%), BSA fraction V (0.02%) and 50% formamide. Slides were dehydrated, dried and dipped in Ilford K5D (Mobberley, UK) emulsion. Exposure was carried out at 4 C for 7 to 12 days, and slides were developed with Kodak D-19 film. Slides were counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin. Representative darkfield and brightfield photomicrographs were taken at 20x magnification on an Olympus Corp. (Lake Success, NY) microscope with Kodak Ektrachrome film.

Cell culture

Endometrial samples were obtained from four different normal cycling women in the proliferative phase. Endometrial epithelium and stromal cells were separated as described previously. Briefly, the tissue was finely minced and cells were dispersed by incubation in HBSS containing HEPES (25 mM), penicillin (200 U/mL), streptomycin (200 micrograms/mL), collagenase (1 mg/mL, 15 U/mg), and DNase (0.1 mg/mL, 1500 U/mg) for 20–30 min at 37 C with agitation. The cells were separated by filtration through a wire sieve with 73-µm diameter pores. The stromal cells were found in the filtrate whereas the endometrial glands are retained by the sieve. The stromal cells were pelleted, washed, and suspended in phenol red-free Ham’s F12:DMEM (1:1) containing antibiotics and 10% charcoal-stripped FCS. The cells were passaged once and grown to confluence. Confluent monolayers were maintained in phenol red-free, serum-free media for 48 h and subsequently treated with 17ß estradiol (5 x 10-8 M) or medroxyprogesterone acetate (10-7 M) for 4 h. Immunocytochemical analysis of endometrial cells was conducted after the first passage. Factor VIII (22), cytokeratin (23), 3C10 (24, 25) and vimentin (26, 27) were used as markers of endothelial cells, epithelial cells, macrophages and stromal cells respectively. Ninety-seven percent of the cells were endometrial stromal cells. Epithelial cells and macrophages accounted for approximately 3% and 0.2% of the cells; endothelial cells were absent. (Ishikawa cells were grown in the same medium and treated identically as the primary stromal cells.)

Ishikawa cells were a generous gift of Richard Hochberg and well characterized by his laboratory (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33). Estrogen and progesterone receptor status was verified by ELISA according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Abbott Laboratories, Weisbaden, Germany). Cells were grown in 70–80% confluence.

Statistical analysis

The autoradiographic bands were quantified using a laser densitometer (Molecular Dynamics, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). Each HOXA11 band was normalized to the value obtained from the same lane hybridized to G3PDH. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
HOXA11 expression varies in a menstrual cycle stage-dependent manner

To examine the role of HOXA11 in endometrial development, the menstrual cycle stage-specific expression pattern was characterized. Total RNA was extracted from human endometrium across the menstrual cycle and during early pregnancy. Thirty specimens were divided into approximately equal groups corresponding to early and late proliferative stage, and to early, mid, and late secretory stage according to the criteria of Noyes et al. (2). Northern blot analysis were performed with antisense [32P] labeled riboprobes that hybridizes to the 3' untranslated region of HOXA11. Representative samples are demonstrated in Fig. 1AGo. Moderate levels of HOXA11 expression are seen throughout the menstrual cycle. Of note was the markedly increased levels of HOXA11 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the mid-secretory phase, compared with the proliferative and early-secretory phase. Hybridization to a control probe (G3PDH) shows that approximately equal amounts of RNA were loaded in each well. Densinometric analysis revealed a greater than 2-fold increase in the average abundance of HOXA11 during the mid and late luteal phase when normalized to G3PDH (Fig. 1BGo). The difference between mid and late secretory stage was statistically different from that of earlier phases. There was no statistical difference between levels of expression throughout the proliferative phase or the early secretory phase.



View larger version (52K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. A, HOXA11 Expression in Human Endometrium. Northern blot analysis of HOXA11 expression in endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. A representative autoradiogram is shown following exposure for 24 h. HOXA11 is expressed in the first half of the proliferative phase (P1), the second half of the proliferative phase (P2), and the first third of the secretory phase (S1). A dramatic increase in expression occurs in the mid-secretory phase (S2) corresponding to the time of implantation, and persists into the late secretory phase (S3). Lower panel, Northern blot hybridized with a probe to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. B, Densitometric analysis of HOXA11 expression in 30 endometrial samples normalized to G3PDH. There is no statistical difference within the proliferative phase of between the proliferative phase and the early secretory phase. There is a statistically significant increase in HOXA11 expression in the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle compared with the proliferative phase (*) (P < 0.05). There is no statistical difference between expression in the mid and late secretory phase. Error bars are SEM.

 
To determine if HOXA11 has a role in decidualization and maintenance of pregnancy, HOXA11 expression patterns were characterized in first trimester uterine decidua. HOXA11 expression persists in the decidua of pregnancy as demonstrated in Fig. 2Go. Endometrium from post-menopausal patients which demonstrated atrophy, expressed low levels of HOXA11 (not shown). In patients treated with long-term progestins (i.e. depot medroxyprogesterone acetate [MPA]) levels of HOXA11 expression were similar to that in the proliferative phase (Fig. 3Go). Taken together, the results indicate that HOXA11 expression varies throughout the menstrual cycle and increases markedly in the mid-secretory phase, which corresponds to the time of implantation. Expression of HOXA11 persists into pregnancy, but not with long-term exposure to exogenous progestins.



View larger version (56K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. HOXA11 Expression in pregnancy. Northern blot analysis of HOXA11 expression in the endometrium from the late secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (S) and the decidualized endometrium of pregnancy (D). A representative autoradiogram is shown after exposure for 24 h. HOXA11 expression persists into pregnancy.

 


View larger version (83K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. HOXA11 Response to hormonal treatment in vivo. Northern blot analysis of HOXA11 expression from the proliferative (P) and late secretory (S) phase of the menstrual cycle is compared with that from patient treated with long- term Medroxy progesterone acetate (MPA). The exogenous progesterone does not maintain HOXA11 at the level seen in the secretory phase.

 
Localization of HOXA11 to endometrial stroma and glands

The cellular distribution of HOXA11 was localized within the endometrium using in situ hybridization. Fig. 4Go, A and B, shows brightfield and darkfield illumination of a representative section of secretory endometrium after hybridization using a [33P] labeled antisense probe containing the 3' untranslated region of HOXA11. Stromal and glandular cells both express HOXA11, although at higher levels in the stromal cells. Confirming the results of northern blot analysis, levels of expression were higher in the mid and late secretory phase (data not shown). Control skeletal muscle showed no hybridization nor did uterus hybridized to a sense control probe (data not shown).



View larger version (117K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. Localization of HOXA11 expression by in situ hybridization. A, Brightfield illumination of secretory endometrium stained with hematoxylin and eosin. B, Darkfield illumination following in situ hybridization with a HOXA11 antisense riboprobe. Both glandular and stromal components show HOXA11 expression. Hybridization with a sense riboprobe showed no significant signal (not shown). Magnification, 20x.

 
Modulation of HOXA11 expression by sex steroids

The differential HOXA11 expression observed in the endometrium coincided with developmental changes that are under the control of sex-steroid hormones. To determine whether sex steroids regulate HOXA11 expression, cultured cells were treated with estrogen and progesterone. Primary stromal cells were grown to confluence in steroid-free medium and serum starved for 24 h before treatment with physiologic concentration of 17-ß estradiol (5 x 10-8 M), MPA (10-7 M) or both. Northern blot analysis shown in Fig. 5AGo demonstrates that either estrogen or progesterone stimulated HOXA11 expression approximately 2- to 3-fold. Progesterone produced greater stimulation than estrogen and combination of the two gave maximal expression. Four cultures from different women were subject to steroid treatment and average densitometric readings are displayed in Fig. 5BGo. A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) exists between each lane.



View larger version (56K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5. Modulation of HOXA11 expression by sex steroids. Northern blot analysis of HOXA11 expression in cultured primary endometrial stromal cells. RNA from control cells (C) that were not exposed to steroid shows basal levels of HOXA11 expression. Cells were treated with 5 x 10-8 M estrogen (E), 1 x 10-7 M progesterone (P), or both hormones for 4 h. HOXA11 expression increased with estrogen, progesterone, or both. A representative autoradiogram is shown. b, Densitometric analysis of HOXA11 expression from four stromal cell cultures obtained from different patients. Data were normalized to G3PDH. A statistically significant difference was observed between each lane (P < 0.05). Error bars are SEM.

 
Similar levels of HOXA11 mRNA are detected following exposure to estrogen at 10-10–10-6 M (below or above the physiologic range). A concentration-dependent expression within the physiological range of progesterone concentration is displayed in Fig. 6Go. A similar response was seen using either MPA acetate or progesterone. Peak levels of expression were reached within 1 h and persisted at 24 h after treatment with progesterone. Prolonged treatment with progesterone results sustained HOXA11 mRNA levels for 24 h, but a gradual return to pretreatment levels by 4 days. These findings are consistent with the observed increased in expression of HOXA11 in the secretory endometrium when estrogen is present and progesterone levels increase.



View larger version (22K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 6. Dose response of HOXA11 expression following treatment with progesterone. Primary stromal cells were treated with varying concentrations of progesterone, and Northern blot analysis was performed. HOXA11 expression relative to G3PDH control is shown. An increase in HOXA11 expression was noted over the physiologic range.

 
To explore glandular expression of HOXA11, Ishikawa cells, a well differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line was used (34). Ishikawa cells were cultured under identical conditions as stromal cells and treated with the same concentration of sex steroids. As Ishikawa cells can fail to express ER and PR after several passes, the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptor was documented by ELISA (data not shown) (30, 35). Expression of HOXA11 increased approximately 2- to 3-fold in response to estrogen treatment (Fig. 7Go). A similar response was seen after treatment with progesterone. These results confirm a regulatory role for sex steroids on HOXA11 expression.



View larger version (35K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 7. Expression of HOXA11 in Ishikawa cells is not altered by cycloheximide treatment. Cells were treated with cycloheximide before steroid administration. Northern blot analysis and densitometry results show that HOXA11 expression was inducible with estrogen (E) after cycloheximide pretreatment. Average densitometry results normalized to G3PDH are shown. Error bars are SEM. (*), statistically different from control (P < 0.05).

 
To determine if protein synthesis is necessary for HOXA11 expression in response to estradiol, Ishikawa cells were treated with cycloheximide before the addition of estrogen. Cells were pretreated with cycloheximide then exposed to 5 x 10-8 M estradiol for 4 h. As demonstrated in Fig. 7Go, pretreatment with cycloheximide had no effect on the estrogen induced HOXA11 expression, suggesting that protein synthesis was not required. Similarly, cycloheximide had no effect on the progesterone induced HOXA11 expression (data not shown).


    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Role of HOXA11 in cyclic endometrial development

Human endometrium undergoes a menstrual cycle-dependent differentiation under the influence of sex steroids. During the proliferative phase, under the influence of estrogen, the endometrium thickens by 2- to 3-fold, due to the proliferation and differentiation of surface epithelium, glands, stroma, and blood vessels (1). With the onset of progesterone production, the endometrium undergoes a differentiation process that renders it receptive to implantation. Numerous changes in both histologic features and molecular markers have been described (1, 2, 36). Disorders of the endometrial maturation are common and lead to infertility, dysfunctional bleeding, hyperplasia, and cancers; disruption of the development of endometrium is also an important component of contraception. The molecular regulators of this differentiation process are still unknown.

Attractive candidates for molecular regulators of endometrial differentiation are homeobox genes. Homeobox genes encode DNA-binding proteins, which are highly conserved throughout evolution and functional as transcriptional regulators (7, 11, 37). Homeobox genes were first identified in Drosophila melanogaster, where they impart a developmental identity to segmental body units of the fly (7). In vertebrates, including humans, HOX genes correspond to both structurally and functionally to Drosophila homeotic genes (38, 39). The unique combination of HOX gene expression in embryonic development imparts tissue identity. Recently we have described the role of HOX genes of the A axis in the development of the murine reproductive system (19). HOXA11 is expressed in the developing uterus. Persistent expression is noted in the adult uterus (18, 19). This adult expression pattern observed in mice is conserved in the human endometrium (19). The HOXA11 gene, which is involved in directing embryonic development of the endometrium may later regulate development of the endometrium in the menstrual cycle. In this report, we demonstrate that HOXA11 is expressed in a menstrual cycle phase-dependent manner. One way in which differential tissue identity is obtained is through selective activation of HOX genes. HOXA11 expression is noted in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle when estrogen is the predominant steroid hormone affecting the uterus. HOXA11 mRNA levels significantly increase in the mid-secretory phase at the time when progesterone levels rise rapidly. A parallel increase in the expression is noted in cell culture experiments in which both primary stromal cells and Ishikawa endometrial adenocarcinoma cells increase HOXA11 expression in response to estrogen and progesterone. Under the influence of sex steroids, changing levels of HOXA11 may lead to the growth and differentiation of human endometrium. Analogous to the role of HOXA11 in embryonic development, this gene may regulate transcription of downstream genes, altering cell fate and leading to the coordinated differentiation of this tissue.

Sex steroid regulation of HOXA11

In this report, we demonstrate that estrogen and progesterone are novel regulators of HOX gene expression. Few molecular regulators of HOX gene expression are known. One, retinoic acid, imparts differential regulation of HOX genes at the 3' end of the HOX cluster (40, 41, 42). Here we describe regulation of a gene at the 5' end of the HOX cluster, HOXA11, by another nuclear hormone receptor transcription factor. Estrogen and progesterone both increase expression of HOXA11. Physiologic concentrations of progesterone induces a dose-responsive increase in HOXA11 expression. HOXA11 is induced rapidly in response to treatment with sex steroids. Pretreatment with cycloheximide does not alter the sex steroid induced expression. Taken together, these data suggest that the sex steroid-sex steroid receptor complex directly binds to regulatory elements of HOXA11 altering the expression of this gene. It will be interesting to determine whether other nuclear hormone receptors regulate HOX gene expression.

Role of HOXA11 in Implantation

Essential for successful implantation of the human blastocyst is a receptive uterine endometrium with synchronously developed components (4). The endometrium undergoes characteristic cyclic changes in response to circulating sex steroids, and, as described above, HOXA11 may mediate this response to sex steroids by directing the development of the endometrium in the menstrual cycle.

HOXA11 is essential for implantation in the mouse. Targeted mutation of the HOXA11 gene results in uterine factor infertility (17, 18). Despite being anatomically and histologically normal, the uterus does not support the development or allow the implantation of preembryos including wild-type embryos. The Hoxa11 (-/-) embryos are viable when placed in a wild-type surrogate uterus. The spatially and temporally regulated expression pattern of HOXA11 is suggestive of an essential role in the human implantation. HOXA11 is differentially expressed in the uterine endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. A dramatic increase in levels of expression accompanies endometrial differentiation at the mid-secretory phase, which is the time of implantation in the human. The HOXA11 (-/-) mutations likely act as an adult phenotype altering cyclic endometrial development rather than through a developmental defect of the uterus in the embryonic period. Heterozygote Hoxall mutant mice displayed reduced implantation rates. This heterozygous effect is likely attributable to the reduced levels of HOXA11 transcripts. This indicates that expression levels play an important role in regulating implantation and further support an essential role for the increasing levels of HOXA11 at the time of implantation in the human. Furthermore, continued progesterone treatment does not maintain HOXA11 levels seen in the secretory phase. HOXA11 expression is progesterone dependent only in the context of stage appropriate endometrial development. The data suggest that, in human endometrium, sex steroid modulation of HOXA11 expression directs sequential differentiation of the endometrium and leads to implantation receptivity. Furthermore, the persistent expression in decidua suggested a continued role in pregnancy.


    Footnotes
 
1 Supported by NIH Grant HD-01003 (to H.S.T.). Back

Received July 20, 1998.

Revised December 4, 1998.

Accepted December 22, 1998.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Dallenbach Hellweg, G. 1987 Histopathology of the Endometrium. 4th ed. New York: Springer-Verglag.
  2. Noyes RW, Hertig AT, Rock J. 1955 Dating the endometrial biopsy. Fertil Steril. 1:3–25.
  3. Cross JC, Werb Z, Fisher SJ 1994 Implantation and the placenta: key pieces of the developmental puzzle. Science. 266:1508–1518.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Finn CA, Martin L. 1974 The control of implantation. J Reprod Fertil. 39:195–206.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  5. Lea RG, Clark DA 1991 Macrophages and migratory cells in endometrium relevant to implantation. Bailliere’s Clin Obstet Gynaecol 5:25–59
  6. Johannisson E 1991 Morphological and histochemical factors related to implantation. Bailliere’s Clin Obstet Gynaecol5 :191–209
  7. McGinnis W, Krumlauf R 1992 Homeobox genes and axial patterning. Cell. 68:283–302.[CrossRef][Medline]
  8. Taylor H 1998 A regulatory element of the empty spiracles homeobox gene is composed of three distinct conserved regions that bind regulatory proteins. Mol Reprod Dev. 49:246–253.[CrossRef][Medline]
  9. Ekker SC, Jackson DG, von Kessler DP et al. 1994 The degree of variation in DNA sequence recognition among four Drosophila homeotic proteins. EMBO J. 13:3551–3560.[Medline]
  10. Dessain S, Gross CT, Kuziora MA, McGinnis W. 1992 Antp-type homeodomains have distinct DNA binding specificities that correlate with their different regulatory functions in embryos. EMBO J. 11:991–1002.[Medline]
  11. Krumlauf R. 1994 Hox genes in vertebrate development. Cell. 78:191–201.[CrossRef][Medline]
  12. McGinnis N, Kuziora MA, McGinnis W. 1990 Human HOX-4.2 and Drosophila deformed encode similar regulatory specificities in Drosophila embryos and larvae. Cell. 63:969–976.[CrossRef][Medline]
  13. Malicki J, Cianetti LC, Peschle C, McGinnis W. 1992 A human HOX4b regulatory element provides head-specific expression in Drosophila embryos. Nature. 358:345–347.[CrossRef][Medline]
  14. Krumlauf R. 1993 Mouse Hox genetic functions. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 3:621–625.[CrossRef][Medline]
  15. Izpisua Belmonte J, Falkenstein H, Dolle P, Renucci A, Duboule, D. 1991 Murine genes related to the Drosophila AbdB homeotic gene are sequentially expressed during the development of the posterior part of the body. EMBO J. 10:2279–2289.[Medline]
  16. Dolle P, Izpisua-Belmonte J, Ticlele C, Duboule D. 1991 Hox-4 genes and morphogenesis of mammalian genitalia. Genes Dev. 5:1767–1776.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Small KM, Potter SS. 1993 Homeotic transformations and limb defects in Hoxa11 mutant mice. Genes Dev. 7:2318–2328.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Hsieh Li HM, Witte DP, Weinstein M et al. 1995 Hoxa11 structure, extensive antisense transcription, and function in male and female infertility. Development. 121:1373–1385.[Abstract]
  19. Taylor H, Vanden Heuvel G, Igarashi P 1997 A conserved hox axis in the mouse and human reproductive system: late establishment and persistent expression of the hoxa cluster genes. Biol Reprod. 57:1338–1345.[Abstract]
  20. Magli M, Barba P, Celetti A et al. 1991 Coordinate regulation of HOX genes in human hematopoietic cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 88:6348–6352.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. Shen W, Largeman C, Lowney P et al. 1989 Lineage-restricted expression of homeobox-containing genes in human hematopoietic cell lines. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 86:8536–8540.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Zhu PD, Gu Z 1988 Observation of the activity factor VIII in the endometrium of women with regular menstrual cycles. Hum Reprod. 3:273–275.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  23. Moll R, Levy R, Czernobilsky B et al. 1983 Cytokeratins of normal epithelia and some neoplasms of the female genital tract. Lab Invest. 49:599–610.[Medline]
  24. Sutton L, Gadd M, Mason DY, Redman CW. 1986 Cells bearing class II MHC antigens in the human placenta and amniochorion. Immunology. 58:23–29.[Medline]
  25. Van Voorhis WC, Steinman RM, Hair LS et al. 1983 Specific antimononuclear phagocyte monoclonal antibodies. Application to the purification of dendritic cells and the tissue localization of macrophages. J Exp Med. 158:126–145.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  26. Tabibzadeh S. 1991 Distinct subsets of stromal cells confined to unique microenvironments in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. Am J Reprod Immunol. 26:5–10.
  27. Franquemont DW, Frierson HFJ, Mills SE 1991 An immunohistochemical study of normal endometrial stroma and endometrial stromal neoplasms. Evidence for smooth muscle differentiation. Am J Surg Path. 15:861–870.[Medline]
  28. Hata H, Holinka CF, Pahuja SL et al. 1987 Estradiol metabolism in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. J Steroid Biochem. 26:699–704.[CrossRef][Medline]
  29. Littlefield BA, Gurpide E, Markiewicz L, McKinley B, Hochberg RB 1990 A simple and sensitive microtiter plate estrogen bioassay based on stimulation of alkaline phosphatase in Ishikawa cells: estrogenic action of {Delta}5 adrenal steroids. Endocrinology. 127:2757–2762.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  30. Holinka CF, Hata H, Kuramoto H, Gurpide E 1986 Responses to estradiol in a human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (Ishikawa). J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 24:85–89.
  31. Gravanis A, Gurpide E. 1986 Effects of estradiol on DNA polymerase {alpha} activity in the Ishikawa human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 63:356–359.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  32. Gurpide E. 1986 Efects of estradiol on proliferation of endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa). J Steroid Biochem. 25:781–786.[CrossRef][Medline]
  33. Holinka CF, Hata H, Kuramoto H, Gurpide E 1986 Effects of steroid hormones and antisteroids on alkaline phosphatase activity in human endometrial cancer cells (Ishikawa line). Cancer Res. 46:271–274.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Nishida M, Kasahara K, Kaneko M, Iwasaki H 1985 Establishment of a new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Ishikawa cells, containing estrogen and progesterone receptors. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Jpn. 37:1103–1111.
  35. Hata H, Kuramoto H 1992 Imunocytochemical determination of estrogen and progesterone receptors in human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa cells). J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 42:201–210.[CrossRef][Medline]
  36. Guidice LC. 1994 Growth factors and growth modulators in human endometrium: their potential relevance to reproductive medicine. Fertil Steril. 61:1–17.[Medline]
  37. Kappa C, Schughart K, Ruddle FH. 1993 Early evolutionary origin of major homeodomain sequence classes. Genomics. 18:54–70.[CrossRef][Medline]
  38. Duboule D, Dolle P. 1989 The structure and functional organization of the murine Hox gene family resembles that of Drosophila homeotic genes. EMBO J. 8:1497–1505.[Medline]
  39. Kessel M, Gruss P. 1990 Murine developmental control genes. Science. 249:374–379.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  40. Simeone A, Acampora D, Nigro V et al. Differential regulation by retinoic acid of the homeobox genes of the four HOX loci in human embryonal carcinoma cells. Mech Dev. 33:215–228.
  41. Stornaiuolo A, Acampora D, Pannese M et al. 1990 Human HOX genes are differentially activated by retinoic acid in embryonal carcinoma cells according to their position with the four loci. Cell Differ Dev. 31:119–127.[CrossRef][Medline]
  42. Kessel M, Gruss P. 1991 Homeotic transformation of murine pre-vertebrae and concominant alteration of Hox codes induced by retinoic acid. Cell. 67:89–104.[CrossRef][Medline]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Reproductive SciencesHome page
K. A. Connell, M. K. Guess, H. W. Chen, T. Lynch, R. Bercik, and H. S. Taylor
HOXA11 Promotes Fibroblast Proliferation and Regulates p53 in Uterosacral Ligaments
Reproductive Sciences, July 1, 2009; 16(7): 694 - 700.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Mol Hum ReprodHome page
J. Sarno, F. Schatz, S. J. Huang, C. Lockwood, and H. S. Taylor
Thrombin and interleukin-1{beta} decrease HOX gene expression in human first trimester decidual cells: implications for pregnancy loss
Mol. Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2009; 15(7): 451 - 457.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Reproductive SciencesHome page
G. Weiss, L. T. Goldsmith, R. N. Taylor, D. Bellet, and H. S. Taylor
Inflammation in Reproductive Disorders
Reproductive Sciences, February 1, 2009; 16(2): 216 - 229.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
B. Lee, H. Du, and H. S. Taylor
Experimental Murine Endometriosis Induces DNA Methylation and Altered Gene Expression in Eutopic Endometrium
Biol Reprod, January 1, 2009; 80(1): 79 - 85.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Reproductive SciencesHome page
D. Vitiello, R. Pinard, and H. S. Taylor
Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Putative HOXA10 Downstream Targets in the Periimplantation Mouse Uterus
Reproductive Sciences, May 1, 2008; 15(5): 529 - 535.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
R. Martin, M. B. Taylor, G. Krikun, C. Lockwood, G. E. Akbas, and H. S. Taylor
Differential Cell-Specific Modulation of HOXA10 by Estrogen and Specificity Protein 1 Response Elements
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2007; 92(5): 1920 - 1926.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
G. E. Akbas, X. Fei, and H. S. Taylor
Regulation of HOXA10 expression by phytoestrogens
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, February 1, 2007; 292(2): E435 - E442.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
FASEB J.Home page
C. C. Smith and H. S. Taylor
Xenoestrogen exposure imprints expression of genes (Hoxa10) required for normal uterine development
FASEB J, January 1, 2007; 21(1): 239 - 246.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Endocr. Rev.Home page
G. S. Daftary and H. S. Taylor
Endocrine Regulation of HOX Genes
Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2006; 27(4): 331 - 355.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
J. L. Sarno, F. Schatz, C. J. Lockwood, S.-T. J. Huang, and H. S. Taylor
Thrombin and Interleukin-1{beta} Regulate HOXA10 Expression in Human Term Decidual Cells: Implications for Preterm Labor
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2006; 91(6): 2366 - 2372.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ReproductionHome page
B. Zhao, D. Koon, and K. E Bethin
Identification of transcription factors at the site of implantation in the later stages of murine pregnancy.
Reproduction, March 1, 2006; 131(3): 561 - 571.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Res.Home page
H. Yoshida, R. Broaddus, W. Cheng, S. Xie, and H. Naora
Deregulation of the HOXA10 Homeobox Gene in Endometrial Carcinoma: Role in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Cancer Res., January 15, 2006; 66(2): 889 - 897.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Endocrinol.Home page
H. S. Taylor and X. Fei
Emx2 Regulates Mammalian Reproduction by Altering Endometrial Cell Proliferation
Mol. Endocrinol., November 1, 2005; 19(11): 2839 - 2846.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
A.K. Bang, E. Carlsen, M. Holm, J.H. Petersen, N.E. Skakkebaek, and N. Jorgensen
A study of finger lengths, semen quality and sex hormones in 360 young men from the general Danish population
Hum. Reprod., November 1, 2005; 20(11): 3109 - 3113.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Endocrinol.Home page
H. Du, G. S. Daftary, S. I. Lalwani, and H. S. Taylor
Direct Regulation of HOXA10 by 1,25-(OH)2D3 in Human Myelomonocytic Cells and Human Endometrial Stromal Cells
Mol. Endocrinol., September 1, 2005; 19(9): 2222 - 2233.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
X. Fei, H. Chung, and H. S. Taylor
Methoxychlor Disrupts Uterine Hoxa10 Gene Expression
Endocrinology, August 1, 2005; 146(8): 3445 - 3451.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
M. Tang, H. S. Taylor, and S. Tabibzadeh
In vivo gene transfer of lefty leads to implantation failure in mice
Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2005; 20(7): 1772 - 1778.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
G. E. Akbas and H. S. Taylor
HOXC and HOXD Gene Expression in Human Endometrium: Lack of Redundancy with HOXA Paralogs
Biol Reprod, January 1, 2004; 70(1): 39 - 45.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
S. Tulac, N. R. Nayak, L. C. Kao, M. van Waes, J. Huang, S. Lobo, A. Germeyer, B. A. Lessey, R. N. Taylor, E. Suchanek, et al.
Identification, Characterization, and Regulation of the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway in Human Endometrium
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2003; 88(8): 3860 - 3866.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin. Cancer Res.Home page
B. P. Whitcomb, D. G. Mutch, T. J. Herzog, J. S. Rader, R. K. Gibb, and P. J. Goodfellow
Frequent HOXA11 and THBS2 Promoter Methylation, and a Methylator Phenotype in Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Clin. Cancer Res., June 1, 2003; 9(6): 2277 - 2287.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
J.J. Buck, R.M. Williams, I.A. Hughes, and C.L. Acerini
In-utero androgen exposure and 2nd to 4th digit length ratio--comparisons between healthy controls and females with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2003; 18(5): 976 - 979.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Endocrinol.Home page
M. W. M. Yao, H. Lim, D. J. Schust, S. E. Choe, A. Farago, Y. Ding, S. Michaud, G. M. Church, and R. L. Maas
Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Progesterone-Mediated Cell Cycle and Immunoregulatory Roles of Hoxa-10 in the Preimplantation Uterus
Mol. Endocrinol., April 1, 2003; 17(4): 610 - 627.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
D. Cermik, B. Selam, and H. S. Taylor
Regulation of HOXA-10 Expression by Testosterone in Vitro and in the Endometrium of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2003; 88(1): 238 - 243.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
Y. M. Chau, S. Pando, and H. S. Taylor
HOXA11 Silencing and Endogenous HOXA11 Antisense Ribonucleic Acid in the Uterine Endometrium
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2002; 87(6): 2674 - 2680.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Endocrinol.Home page
G. S. Daftary, P. J. Troy, C. N. Bagot, S. L. Young, and H. S. Taylor
Direct Regulation of {beta}3-Integrin Subunit Gene Expression by HOXA10 in Endometrial Cells
Mol. Endocrinol., March 1, 2002; 16(3): 571 - 579.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
FASEB J.Home page
K. BLOCK, A. KARDANA, P. IGARASHI, and H. S. TAYLOR
In utero diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure alters Hox gene expression in the developing mullerian system
FASEB J, June 1, 2000; 14(9): 1101 - 1108.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
H. S. Taylor, C. Bagot, A. Kardana, D. Olive, and A. Arici
HOX gene expression is altered in the endometrium of women with endometriosis
Hum. Reprod., May 1, 1999; 14(5): 1328 - 1331.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, H. S.
Right arrow Articles by Arici, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, H. S.
Right arrow Articles by Arici, A.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals