Deciphering the role of PGRMC2 in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle and in vitro decidualization using an in vitro approach

The endometrial response to progesterone is mediated by the classical and non-classical progesterone receptors. We previously demonstrated that PGRMC1 is critical for endometrial function, embryo implantation, and future placentation, however, the role(s) of PGRMC2, which is structurally similar to PGRMC1, have not been studied in the human endometrium. Overall design: To reveal PGRMC2 function during the decidualization process, we specifically knocked down PGRMC2 with siRNAs in four hEnSC before in vitro decidualization. In vitro decidualization of hEnSCs was induced using co-treatment of cAMP and medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate progestin for four days, and evaluated by measuring prolactin by ELISA and F-actin immunostaining. After decidualization, we performed a RNA-seq of four PGRMC2 silencing d-hEnSC and four scramble d-hEnSC. The common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and proteins (DEPs) were considered for downstream functional enrichment analysis.