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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.07.27.550771

Human receptive endometrial organoid for deciphering the implantation window

Zhao, H.·Wu, K.·Chen, Z.-J.·Zhang, Y.·Zhao, R.·Yang, C.·Song, J.·Liu, P.·Li, Y.·Liu, B.·Li, T.·Yin, C.·Lu, M.·Hou, Z.·Zhang, C.
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Abstract

Human endometrial receptivity is a critical determinant of pregnancy success; however, in vivo studies of its features and regulation are particularly challenging due to ethical restriction. Recently, the development of human endometrial assembloids has provided a powerful model to investigate this intricate biological process. In this study, we established a specialized human window-of-implantation (WOI) endometrial assembloid system that mimics the in vivo receptive endometrium. It not only reproduces the structural attributes of pinopodes and cilia, but also molecular characteristics of mid-secretory endometrium. Furthermore, the WOI endometrial assembloid exhibits hormone responsiveness, an energy metabolism profile characterized by larger and functionally enhanced mitochondria, increased ciliary assembly and motility, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as well as promising potential for embryo implantation. As such, WOI assembloids hold great promise as a platform to unravel the intricate mechanisms governing the regulation of endometrial receptivity, maternal-fetal interactions, and associated pathologies, ultimately driving impactful advancements in the field.

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Zhao, H., Wu, K., Chen, Z.-J., Zhang, Y., Zhao, R., Yang, C., Song, J., Liu, P., Li, Y., Liu, B., Li, T., Yin, C., Lu, M., Hou, Z., Zhang, C.. 2023-07-28. Human receptive endometrial organoid for deciphering the implantation window. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.27.550771

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