Evidence for a conserved function of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2 in XXXX and @entity1 decidualization.

@entity1 @entity1420 @entity19 @entity1421 @entity61
Previously, we showed that heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2 ( @entity61 ) mRNA levels dramatically increase in @entity19 uterine endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) as they undergo decidualization in vivo. However, to date, little is known about the expression and function of this transcription factor in @entity19 or @entity1 uterus decidualization. Therefore, this study was conducted to provide a more detailed assessment of @entity61 gene expression and function in the @entity19 uterus during the peri-implantation period and also in @entity19 plus @entity1 ESCs during decidualization in vitro. The results show that @entity61 mRNA and protein levels increase in the @entity19 uterus during decidualization and this does not depend on the presence of a conceptus. Interestingly, @entity61 mRNA and protein are present in ESCs adjacent to the luminal epithelium in the uterus prior to the onset of implantation. We find that @entity1420 is likely a regulator of @entity61 expression during uterine sensitization of the @entity19 uterus. Finally, @entity61 expression increases in @entity19 and @entity1 fibroblast cells as they undergo decidualization in vitro. This expression is significantly increased in response to @entity1421 . In particular, reduction of @entity61 expression in these cells using small hairpin RNA or small interfering RNA approaches results in the reduced extent of decidualization as shown by the reduced expression of a subset of decidualization markers. The results of this study support the hypothesis that @entity61 expression not only plays an important role in decidualization but may also play a role in obtaining proper @entity1420 -dependent uterine sensitization required for implantation to begin.
