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The Multifaceted Actions of Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor in Mediating Uterine Receptivity and Embryo Implantation
Author(s) -
Rosario Gracy Xavier,
Stewart Colin L
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12474
Subject(s) - decidualization , leukemia inhibitory factor , stromal cell , angiogenesis , embryo , endometrium , receptivity , cytokine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , uterus , medicine , endocrinology , cancer research , immunology , interleukin 6
Embryo implantation is mediated by the combined actions of the ovarian hormones E 2 and P4 on the uterus. In addition, the pro‐inflammatory cytokine, leukaemia inhibitory factor ( LIF ), plays a pivotal role in regulating uterine receptivity. LIF is expressed in the endometrial glands and has a robust action on the uterine luminal epithelium ( LE ). In mice, LIF is induced by nidatory E 2 and functions to convert the LE from a non‐receptive to an embryo‐responsive state. LIF mediates its actions by activating the JAK ‐ STAT pathway specifically in the LE . Activation of JAK ‐ STAT pathway results in the induction of many additional pathways, including some 40 + transcription factors, many of which initiate a cascade of changes affecting epithelial polarity, epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, angiogenesis, stromal cell decidualization, and inhibiting cell proliferation. This review discusses the role of LIF and the recent analysis of its action on the uterine LE in regulating endometrial receptivity and implantation.