HORMONAL REGULATION OF INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT OF CATHEPSIN D IN ISHIKAWA CELL LINES OF HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM

BUTTAZZONI AGUSTINA; SOSA, MIGUEL ÁNGEL; LEIVA NATALIA

San Juan

Congreso; XLI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2023

SOCIEDAD DE BIOLOGÍA DE CUYO

The endometrium is a crucial tissue for reproduction, playing a key role in normal fertility and reproductive success. In recent years, lysosomes have been recognized for their involvement in numerous physiological processes. Lysosomal proteases, including cathepsins, have been linked to various physiological processes such as menstruation, implantation, and placenta formation, as well as different diseases like cáncer or endometriosis. Despite their significant role in key reproductive processes, the mechanism and intracelular regulation of cathepsin D have not been thoroughly studied in endometrial cells. We utilized a human endometrial Ishikawa cell line to investigate whether the expression and/or localization of cathepsin D and its transporter proteins could be influenced by sex hormones. Through fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting techniques, we observed that the presence of estrogen increases the expression and processing of both cathepsin D and its transporter protein, sortilin. Our results demonstrate that the hormonal microenvironment regulates the intracelular transport of cathepsin D. These findings could open new scenarios that justify the development of novel approaches to improve reproductive outcomes.