Interaction between sex hormones and WNT/β-catenin signal transduction in endometrial physiology and disease

Paul H. van der Horst, Yongyi Wang, Marten van der Zee, Curt W. Burger, Leen J. Blok
In: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology · 2011 · vol. 358(2) , pp. 176–184 · doi:10.1016/j.mce.2011.06.010 · PMID:21722706 · W2014070267
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This review explores the interplay between sex hormones and the WNT/β-catenin pathway in regulating normal endometrial function and its implications in endometrial pathologies.

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Abstract

Wnt/β-catenin signalling plays a rate-limiting role in early development of many different organs in a broad spectrum of organisms. In the developing Müllerian duct, Wnt/β-catenin signalling is important for initiation, outgrowth, patterning and differentiation into vagina, cervix, uterus and oviducts. In adult life, sex hormones modulate Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the endometrium to maintain the monthly balance between estrogen-induced proliferation and progesterone-induced differentiation, and enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signalling seems to be involved in endometrial carcinogenesis. However, early in pregnancy enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signalling is prerequisite for proper implantation and invasion of trophoblast cells into endometrium and myometrium thus helping to form a placenta. Overall, it seems that tight control of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in time and space is important for initiation, development and normal function of the female reproductive tract. However, if Wnt/β-catenin signalling is not kept in check, it easily seems to initiate or contribute to development of a number of uterine disorders.

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