Cited by 353Estrogen and related hormone effectsReproductive System and PregnancyEndometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments

Role of nuclear progesterone receptor isoforms in uterine pathophysiology

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Patel, B., Elguero, S., Thakore, S., Dahoud, W., Bedaiwy, M., Mesiano, S.·2015·Human Reproduction Update

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Progesterone is a key hormonal regulator of the female reproductive system. It plays a major role to prepare the uterus for implantation and in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Actions of progesterone on the uterine tissues (endometrium, myometrium and cervix) are mediated by the combined effects of two progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, designated PR-A and PR-B. Both receptors function primarily as ligand-activated transcription factors. Progesterone action on the uterine tissues is qualitatively and quantitatively determined by the relative levels and transcriptional activities of PR-A and PR-B. The transcriptional activity of the PR isoforms is affected by specific transcriptional coregulators and by PR post-translational modifications that affect gene promoter targeting. In this context, appropriate temporal and cell-specific expression and function of PR-A and PR-B are critical for normal uterine function. METHODS: Relevant studies describing the role of PRs in uterine physiology and pathology (endometriosis, uterine leiomyoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer and recurrent pregnancy loss) were comprehensively searched using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar and critically reviewed. RESULTS: Progesterone, acting through PR-A and PR-B, regulates the development and function of the endometrium and induces changes in cells essential for implantation and the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. During pregnancy, progesterone via the PRs promotes myometrial relaxation and cervical closure. Withdrawal of PR-mediated progesterone signaling triggers menstruation and parturition. PR-mediated progesterone signaling is anti-mitogenic in endometrial epithelial cells, and as such, mitigates the tropic effects of estrogen on eutopic normal endometrium, and on ectopic implants in endometriosis. Similarly, ligand-activated PRs function as tumor suppressors in endometrial cancer cells through inhibition of key cellular signaling pathways required for growth. In contrast, progesterone via PR activation appears to increase leiomyoma growth. The exact role of PRs in cervical cancer is unclear. PRs regulate implantation and therefore aberrant PR function may be implicated in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). PRs likely regulate key immunogenic factors involved in RPL. However, the exact role of PRs in the pathophysiology of RPL and the use of progesterone for therapeutic benefit remains uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: PRs are key mediators of progesterone action in uterine tissues and are essential for normal uterine function. Aberrant PR function (due to abnormal expression and/or function) is a major cause of uterine pathophysiology. Further investigation of the underlying mechanisms of PR isoform action in the uterus is required, as this knowledge will afford the opportunity to create progestin/PR-based therapeutics to treat various uterine pathologies.

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Crossref · 10.1093/humupd/dmu056

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  • Proinflammatory factors (heme, iron) and cytokines (TNFα, IL1β) may disrupt PR function and play a role in progesterone resistance, leading to increased NF-kB activity involved in endometriosis development.

    “Proinflammatory factors (like heme and iron) and cytokines (like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 1 beta (IL1β)) may also disrupt PR function and play a role in progesterone resistance which finally leads to increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) activity, which is involved in endometriosis development [27,33,34].”

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  1. Barbarisi A, Petillo O, Di Lieto A, Melone MA, Margarucci S, Cannas M, Peluso G. 17-beta estradiol elicits an autocrine leiomyoma cell proliferation: evidence for a stimulation of protein kinase-dependent pathway. J Cell Physiol 2001;186:414-424.
  2. Gerdes D, Wehling M, Leube B, Falkenstein E. Cloning and tissue expression of two putative steroid membrane receptors. Biol Chem 1998;379:907 -911.
  3. Mellon S. Neurosteroid regulation of CNS development. Pharmacol Ther 2007; 116:107 -124.
  4. Tsai M-J, Clark JH, Schrader WT, O'Malley BW. Mechanisms of action of hormones that act as transcription-regulatory factors. In: Wilson J, Foster D, Kronenberg H, Larsen P (eds). Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1998, 55 -94.

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Authors
Patel, B., Elguero, S., Thakore, S., Dahoud, W., Bedaiwy, M., & Mesiano, S.
Affiliations
  • Case Western Reserve University (US)
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
Venue
Human Reproduction Update
Published
2014-11-18
Volume
21
Issue
2
Pages
155-173
ISSN
  • 1355-4786 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2369
OpenAlex
W2019792229
Cited by
353
References
299
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 13
FWCI
2.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Human Reproduction Update (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD069819)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Estrogen and related hormone effects
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Reproductive System and Pregnancy
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments
Keywords
progesterone receptor, progesterone receptor A, progesterone receptor B, uterine physiology, endometrium, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, recurrent pregnancy loss, implantation, pregnancy maintenance, myometrial relaxation, transcriptional coregulators, post-translational modification, progesterone signaling, tumor suppression
MeSH terms
Abortion, Habitual, Uterine Cervical Neoplasms, Endometriosis, Female, Humans, Leiomyoma, Menstrual Cycle, Models, Biological, Embryo Implantation, Progesterone, Receptors, Progesterone, Uterine Diseases, Uterus, Signal Transduction, Endometrial Neoplasms, Protein Isoforms

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