Microgravity inhibits decidualization via decreasing Akt activity and FOXO3a expression in human endometrial stromal cells

Sci Rep. 2019 Aug 20;9(1):12094. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-48580-9.

Abstract

Decidualization is characterized by the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (eSCs), which is critical for embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. In the present study, we investigated the possible effect of simulated microgravity (SM) on the process of proliferation and in vitro decidualization using primary human eSCs. Exposure to SM for 36 h decreased the proliferation and migration of eSCs significantly, without inducing cell death and changes in cell cycle progression. The phosphorylation of Akt decreased under SM conditions in human eSCs, accompanied by a simultaneous decrease in the level of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and FOXO3a. Treatment with Akti, an Akt inhibitor, decreased MMP-2 expression, but not FOXO3a expression. The decreased level of FOXO3a under SM conditions impeded autophagic flux by reducing the levels of autophagy-related genes. In addition, pre-exposure of eSCs to SM significantly inhibited 8-Br-cAMP induced decidualization, whereas restoration of the growth status under SM conditions by removing 8-Br-cAMP remained unchanged. Treatment of human eSCs with SC-79, an Akt activator, restored the reduced migration of eSCs and decidualization under SM conditions. In conclusion, exposure to SM inhibited decidualization in eSCs by decreasing proliferation and migration through Akt/MMP and FOXO3a/autophagic flux.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autophagy / genetics*
  • Autophagy / radiation effects
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / radiation effects
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Decidua / growth & development
  • Decidua / metabolism
  • Decidua / radiation effects
  • Embryo Implantation / genetics
  • Embryo Implantation / radiation effects
  • Endometrium / growth & development*
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Endometrium / radiation effects
  • Environment
  • Female
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3 / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt / genetics*
  • Phosphorylation / radiation effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / radiation effects
  • Weightlessness Simulation

Substances

  • FOXO3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2