Abstract
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) has been recognized as a crucial player in human reproduction. Changes in the levels of anandamide (AEA), the main endocannabinoid (eCB), negatively affect reproductive events, such as implantation, decidualization and placentation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a major enzyme expressed in the endometrium and its involvement in female reproductive system has evolved over the last few years. Currently, COX-2 oxidative metabolism is emerging as a key mediator of AEA-induced actions. In this study, we aimed to disclose the mechanisms underlying the effects of AEA in human endometrial stromal cell fate, using a human-derived endometrial cell line (St-T1b). We found that AEA has an anti-proliferative activity through a direct effect on cell cycle progression by inducing G2/M arrest. Moreover, high levels of AEA increased COX-2 activity, triggering apoptotic cell death, with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, induction of caspase -9 and -3/-7 activities, and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In addition, the involvement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was verified. These effects were prevented by pre-incubation with a selective COX-2 inhibitor. Therefore, we hypothesize that, in response to altered levels of this eCB, COX-2 oxidative metabolism of AEA may deregulate endometrial cell turnover and, consequently, interfere with cellular events crucial for implantation and decidualization, with a negative impact on human fertility.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for the grant attributed to Almada M (SFRH/BD/81561/2011), Fonseca BM (SFRH/BPD/72958/2010) and Cristina Amaral (SFRH/BPD/98304/2013). The authors also thank to Joana Macedo for helping with the graphic design.
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Almada, M., Fonseca, B.M., Amaral, C. et al. Anandamide oxidative metabolism-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis. Apoptosis 22, 816–826 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-017-1356-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-017-1356-4