CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

In our laboratory we are interested in studying the role of lipid mediators at the maternal-fetal interface. Lipids are a very heterogeneous group of substances that play an important role in diverse biologic functions. In particular, we have payed special attention to endocannadinoids, prostaglandins and lysophosphatidic acid, and their actions on the uterine functions and first trimester trophoblasts behaviour. We observed that these lipids crosstalk in the uterine tissue at the sites of embryo implantation, regulating the expression of molecular markers of vascularization (IL-10) and decidualization (IGFBP-1 and prolactin), and thus acting as pro-implantatory factors. Endocannabinoids´ levels close to and at implantation sites seem to modulate nitric oxide synthase activity, via cannabinoid receptors and the presence of the blastocyst. Also, the disruption of endogenous lysophosphatidic acid signaling by blocking LPA3 receptor modified the development of uterine vessels with consequences in the formation of the decidua and placenta, and in the growth of the embryos. Lysophosphatidic acid enhances vascularization and migration of first trimester trophoblast cells through LPA3 and increasing the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 protein and prostaglandin 2 production. Interestingly, lysophosphatidic acid ? stimulated trophoblasts exert paracrine actions over endothelial cells increasing their migration. Recently, we observed that estradiol and progesterone, the master hormones that orchestrate the events that take place during implantation, regulate trophoblasts vascularization through lysophosphatidic acid and LPA3 receptor. All together, our results show that lipid mediators could regulate the implantation process by modulating crucial events at the maternal and the fetal components of the maternal-fetal interface.