Wnt/β-catenin信号通路对子宫内膜间质细胞的调节机制

Regulation of endometrial stromal cells through the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway

BACKGROUND: Increasing number of genes and signaling pathways are involved in regulating stem cells periodically, and wherein Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an important pathway of stem cells. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway on mouse endometrial stromal cells. METHODS: After injection of Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor or activator, endometrial tissues from Balb/c mice were obtained, some of which were used for detection of invasion of endometrial stromal cells and western blot detection, and the rest of which were used for preparing animal models of endometriosis followed by immunohistochemical detection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The expression of β-catenin and GSK3β proteins was significantly higher in the activator group than the inhibitor group (P < 0.05). The number of transmembrane cells was significantly higher in the activator group than the inhibitor and control groups (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical findings showed positive expression of E-cadherin in ectopic endometrial tissues of the inhibitory group, and strongly positive expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in ectopic endometrial tissues of the activator group. These findings indicate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may cause endometriosis by strengthening ectopic endometrial implantation, invasion and metastasis.