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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 1/2020

01-01-2020 | Infertility | Reproductive Physiology and Disease

A novel “embryo-endometrial” adhesion model can potentially predict “receptive” or “non-receptive” endometrium

Authors: Jemma Evans, Kathryn J. Walker, Maree Bilandzic, Sophie Kinnear, Lois A. Salamonsen

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Objective

To establish a model of human implantation that responds to hormonal stimuli and can differentiate between endometrium from fertile women and those with idiopathic infertility.

Design

A trophoblast stem cell (trophectodermal) line (TSC; derived from human pre-implantation embryo) was used to form trophectodermal spheroids (TS). TS attachment to monolayers of endometrial epithelial cell lines or primary endometrial epithelial cells (pHEECs) was determined.

Setting

Independent Medical Research Institute with close clinical linkages

Interventions

Spheroid attachment and outgrowth was determined with added hormones (estradiol 17β (E), E + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or E + MPA + human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)). Spheroid attachment to E/MPA treated pHEEC prepared from fertile women or those with idiopathic infertility tested.

Main outcome measure

Firmly attached spheroids counted after co-culture for 6 h. Outgrowth was determined by quantitation of area covered by spheroid after firm adhesion.

Results

Functional adhesion of TS to two endometrial epithelial cell lines, Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells, was hormonally responsive, with adhesion/outgrowth increased by E/MPA (ECC-1; p < 0.01, Ishikawa; p < 0.01) and E/MPA/hCG (ECC-1; p < 0.001, Ishikawa p < 0.01) versus E alone. The same pattern of hormone responsiveness was observed in pHEEC obtained from fertile women (E vs, E/MPA; p < 0.01, E vs. E/MPA/hCG; p < 0.001). TS adhered to 85% of pHEEC obtained from fertile women (11/13) and 11% of pHEEC obtained from women with unexplained infertility (2/18, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This new model of “embryo” implantation largely discriminates between endometrial epithelial cells obtained from fertile vs. infertile women based on adhesion; this holds potential as an in vitro “diagnostic” tool of endometrial infertility.
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Metadata
Title
A novel “embryo-endometrial” adhesion model can potentially predict “receptive” or “non-receptive” endometrium
Authors
Jemma Evans
Kathryn J. Walker
Maree Bilandzic
Sophie Kinnear
Lois A. Salamonsen
Publication date
01-01-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01629-0

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