The Role of Small GTPase RhoA in Human Uterine Ishikawa Cells

Reprinted with permission
Journal of Experimental & Clinical Assisted Reproduction
An online journal published by BioMed Central

Published:  March  9 2005

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Embryo implantation requires that uterine epithelium develops competence to bind trophoblast to its apical (free) poles. This essential element of uterine receptivity seems to depend on a destabilisation of the apico-basal polarity of endometrial epithelium. Accordingly, a reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton regulated by the small GTPase RhoA plays an important role in human uterine epithelial RL95-2 cells for binding of human trophoblastoid JAR cells. We now obtained new insight into trophoblast binding using human uterine epithelial Ishikawa cells.

Methods

Polarity of Ishikawa cells was investigated by electron microscopy, apical adhesiveness was tested by adhesion assay. Analyses of subcellular distribution of filamentous actin (F-actin) and RhoA in apical and basal cell poles were performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with and without binding of JAR spheroids as well as with and without inhibition of small Rho GTPases by Clostridium difficile toxin A (toxin A). In the latter case, subcellular distribution of RhoA was additionally investigated by Western blotting.

Results

Ishikawa cells express apical adhesiveness for JAR spheroids and moderate apico-basal polarity. Without contact to JAR spheroids, significantly higher signaling intensities of F-actin and RhoA were found at the basal as compared to the apical poles in Ishikawa cells. RhoA was equally distributed between the membrane fraction and the cytosol fraction. Levels of F-actin and RhoA signals became equalised in the apical and basal regions upon contact to JAR spheroids. After inhibition of Rho GTPases, Ishikawa cells remained adhesive for JAR spheroids, the gradient of fluorescence signals of F-actin and RhoA was maintained while the amount of RhoA was reduced in the cytosolic fraction with a comparable increase in the membrane fraction.

Conclusions

Ishikawa cells respond to JAR contact as well as to treatment with toxin A with rearrangement of F-actin and small GTPase RhoA but seem to be able to modify signaling pathways in a way not elucidated so far in endometrial cells. This ability may be linked to the degree of polar organisation observed in Ishikawa cells indicating an essential role of cell phenotype modification in apical adhesiveness of uterine epithelium for trophoblast in vivo.

References:

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Assisted Reproduction 2005, 2:4 doi:10.1186/1743-1050-2-4

We would like to invite you to submit your next manuscript to Journal of Experimental & Clinical Assisted Reproduction (JECAR).

JECAR is an Open Access, peer-reviewed, online journal that considers manuscripts on all aspects of reproductive endocrinology, infertility, bioethics and the advanced reproductive technologies. The journal serves a relatively new field, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of complex human reproductive problems - a sub-speciality of obstetrics and gynaecology."