The endocannabinoid anandamide impairs in vitro decidualization of human cells

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Almada, M (Author) Other; Amaral, C (Author) Other; Diniz da Costa, M (Author) Other; Georgina Correia da Silva (Author) FFUP; Teixeira, NA (Author) FFUP; Fonseca, BM (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Reproduction

Vol. 152

Pages: 351-361

ISSN: 1470-1626

Publisher: BioScientifica Ltd.

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 29 Citations

Scopus - 34 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-XCW

DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0364

Abstract (EN): Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous mediators that along with the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), a membrane transporter and metabolic enzymes form the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Several eCBs have been discovered with emphasis on anandamide (AEA). They are involved in several biological processes such as energy balance, immune response and reproduction. Decidualization occurs during the secretory phase of human menstrual cycle, which involves proliferation and differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into decidual cells and is crucial for the establishment and progression of pregnancy. In this study, a telomerase-immortalized human endometrial stromal cell line (St-T1b) and non-differentiated primary cultures of human decidual fibroblasts from term placenta were used to characterize the ECS using immunoblotting and qRT-PCR techniques. It was shown that St-T1b cells express CB1, but not CB2, and that both receptors are expressed in HdF cells. Furthermore, the expression of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the main degrading enzyme of AEA, increased during stromal cell differentiation. AEA inhibited cell proliferation, through deregulation of cell cycle progression and induced polyploidy. Moreover, through CB1 binding receptor, AEA also impaired cell differentiation. Therefore, AEA is proposed as a modulator of human decidualization. Our findings may provide wider implications, as deregulated levels of AEA, due to Cannabis sativa consumption or altered expression of the metabolic enzymes, may negatively regulate human endometrial stromal cell decidualization with an impact on human (in) fertility.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11