Small extracellular vesicles in human uterine fluid

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by endometrium into the uterine fluid are emerging as an important mediator of intercellular communication between mother and the embryo. Here, we show that these EVs are dynamically regulated for their protein composition during the natural menstrual cycle, and transfer invasive properties and antioxidant function to trophectoderm cells. These EVs carry proteins that regulate embryo implantation and predict window of implantation, thus highlighting their potential as a minimally invasive biomarker. Clinical applications could include use of nanoparticles engineered to contain the most relevant proteins and delivered at the time of embryo transfer, to improve implantation success. Alternatively, it could be applied to the development of a new class of non-steroidal once-a month contraceptive.

由子宫内膜释放进入宫腔液的细胞外囊泡 (Extracellular vesicles, EVs) 正逐渐成为母体与胚胎之间细胞间通讯的重要介导因子。本研究表明，这类EVs在自然月经周期中其蛋白质组成会受到动态调控，并可向滋养外胚层细胞 (trophectoderm) 传递侵袭特性与抗氧化功能。该类细胞外囊泡携带有可调控胚胎着床、预测着床窗口期的蛋白质，由此凸显了其作为微创生物标志物的应用潜力。其临床应用可包括使用经工程化改造、携载最相关功能蛋白的纳米颗粒，并在胚胎移植时予以递送，以提升胚胎着床成功率；此外，该技术还可用于开发一类新型非甾体类月度避孕药。