Role of PLD in cAMP-induced decidualization in human endometrial stromal cells

Abstract

Decidualization represents a process of morphological and biological differentiation. To gain an insight into intracellular mechanism involved in decidualization, we have investigate the possible involvement and role of phospholipase D(PLD)in decidualization using a primary cell culture system of ESCs. ESCs were induced to decidualize by 0.5 mM 8-Br-cAMP for 12 days. Then, ESCs were transformed morphologically and produced significant prolactin. The activity and expression level of PLD1 were also increased as the treatment of the cells with 8-Br-cAMP, while no discernible change was observed in the untreated cells. Overexpression of PLD1 induced morphological change more than 2.9-fold of control without 0.5 mM 8-Br-cAMP treatment. Moreover, overexpression of dominant-negative form of PLD1 did not induce morphological change with 8-Br-cAMP treatment. Cotreatment of the cells with H-89, protein kinase A inhibitor, and 8-Br-cAMP for 3 days have reduced the expression level and the activity of PLD1. Withdrawal of cAMP after decidualization-the treatment of cAMP for 9 days- restored spindle-shaped morphology. Also, it induced decrease of mRNA level of PRL and PLD1. Taken together, these results suggest that PLD1 plays a significant role in decidualization.