Primary decidual zone formation requires Scribble for pregnancy success in mice

Nat Commun. 2019 Nov 28;10(1):5425. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13489-4.

Abstract

Scribble (Scrib) is a scaffold protein with multifunctional roles in PCP, tight junction and Hippo signaling. This study shows that Scrib is expressed in stromal cells around the implantation chamber following implantation. Stromal cells transform into epithelial-like cells to form the avascular primary decidual zone (PDZ) around the implantation chamber (crypt). The PDZ creates a permeability barrier around the crypt restricting immune cells and harmful agents from maternal circulation to protect embryonic health. The mechanism underlying PDZ formation is not yet known. We found that uterine deletion of Scrib by a Pgr-Cre driver leads to defective PDZ formation and implantation chamber (crypt) formation, compromising pregnancy success. Interestingly, epithelial-specific Scrib deletion by a lactoferrin-Cre (Ltf-Cre) driver does not adversely affect PDZ formation and pregnancy success. These findings provide evidence for a previously unknown function of stromal Scrib in PDZ formation, potentially involving ZO-1 and Hippo signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Decidua / cytology
  • Decidua / metabolism*
  • Embryo Implantation / genetics*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Hippo Signaling Pathway
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism*
  • Uterus / cytology
  • Uterus / metabolism
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
  • Tjp1 protein, mouse
  • scrib protein, mouse