Blastocyst-induced ATP release from luminal epithelial cells initiates decidualization through the P2Y2 receptor in mice
Xiaowei Gu, Zi‐Cong Chen, Zhen‐Shan Yang, Yan Yang, Yaping Yan, Yue‐Fang Liu, Ji‐Min Pan, Ren‐Wei Su, Zeng‐Ming Yang
Abstract
), all of which are required for decidualization and/or implantation, in stromal cells. Short exposure to high concentrations of ATP promoted decidualization of primary stromal cells, but longer exposures or lower ATP concentrations did not. The expression of genes encoding ATP-degrading ectonucleotidases increased in the decidua during the peri-implantation period, suggesting that they may limit the duration of the ATP signal. Together, our results indicate that the blastocyst-induced release of ATP from uterine epithelial cells during the peri-implantation period may be important for the initiation of stromal cell decidualization.