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By Atsuya Tsuru, Mikihiro Yoshie, Junya Kojima, Ryo Yonekawa, Mana Azumi, Kazuya Kusama, Hirotaka Nishi, and Kazuhiro Tamura

Excerpt from the article published in Biomolecules 2022, 12, 1046, 28 July 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12081046

Editor’s Highlights

• The differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) into decidual cells is essential for the acquisition of endometrial receptivity for implantation and subsequent placentation.
• In the human endometrium, endometrial progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) expression is lowered during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.
• PGRMC1 level is downregulated during decidualization and a microRNA, miR-98, is involved in PGRMC1 downregulation in ESCs.
• Decidualization is accompanied by the appearance of senescent cells.
• Inhibition of PGRMC1 stimulated forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) expression in ESCs.
• Inhibition of PGRMC1 increased Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, an indicator of cellular senescence, and the population of G2/M DNA damage checkpoint phase in decidualizing ESCs.
• PGRMC1 in the endometrium suppresses cellular senescence and the secretory phase-specific downregulation of PGRMC1 expression induces appropriate decidualization in order to enable remodeling of the endometrium and embryo implantation.

Note: PGRMC1 forms a complex with Sigma-2 Receptor (TMEM97)

Abstract

The appropriate differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) into decidual cells is required for embryo implantation and subsequent placentation into humans. Decidualization is accompanied by the appearance of senescent-like cells. We recently reported the secretory phase-specific downregulation of endometrial progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and enhanced decidualization upon PGRMC1 knockdown and inhibition in cultured ESCs. However, it remains unknown whether PGRMC1 is involved in cellular senescence during decidualization. Here, we showed that the small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of PGRMC1 and the inhibition of PGRMC1 by AG-205 increased the expression of the transcription factor forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and the senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity in cAMP analog- and progesterone-treated ESCs. Furthermore, the knockdown of FOXO1 repressed the decidual senescence induced by siRNA-based PGRMC1 knockdown or AG-205 treatment. Taken together, the decreased PGRMC1 expression in ESCs may accelerate decidualization and cellular senescence via the upregulation of FOXO1 expression for appropriate endometrial remodeling and embryo implantation during the secretory phase.

1. Introduction

Pregnancy is dependent upon the success of various steps including ovulation, fertilization, blastocyst development, endometrial differentiation (decidualization), embryo implantation, and placental formation. Among them, the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) into decidual cells is essential for the acquisition of endometrial receptivity for implantation and subsequent placentation. During the menstrual cycle, the estrogen-primed proliferative endometrium is decidualized by the action of progesterone (P4) and cAMP in the mid-secretory phase. Decidualization is characterized by the transformation of ESCs into secretory decidual cells, which produce insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) and prolactin (PRL) [1,2,3,4]. The treatment of cultured ESCs with P4 and a cAMP analog in vitro can replicate the decidualization in vivo [1,5]. This in vitro decidualization model is widely used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of decidualization. Recent studies provide evidence that decidualization is accompanied by cellular senescence [6,7,8,9]. In general, DNA damage results in cellular senescence, which causes irreversible cell cycle arrest [10,11].

Senescent cells produce various secretory factors including inflammatory cytokines such as interleukins (ILs) and chemokines. This phenotype is called the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and SASP factors further induce senescence of surrounding cells. In cancer cells, the SASP stimulates tumor growth and metastasis and triggers an immune recognition and tumor clearance [12]. Although many questions currently remain unanswered concerning the cancer development that is associated with cellular senescence, senescence-based therapies warrant further investigation [13].

It has been reported that a member of the forkhead family of transcription factors, forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1), is associated with the expression of decidualization markers such as IGFBP1 and PRL [14]. FOXO1 may be involved in IL8-dependent ESC senescence [6]. The SASP factors IL6 and IL8 are secreted by ESCs. Senescent decidual cells may be eliminated by uterine-specific natural killer (NK) cells that are activated by the IL15 secreted by decidual cells [6]. In the process of decidualization, cell differentiation and senescence should be maintained at an appropriate balance, and failure to maintain this balance might be associated with abnormal decidualization [7,15] and preterm birth [8,9,16].

The post-ovulatory increase in P4 in the corpus luteum is involved in decidualization [17]. P4 mostly functions via the intracellular classical progesterone receptor (PGR). Once P4 binds to the PGR, the complex translocates into the nucleus and then binds directly to the DNA of a specific gene in order to regulate transcription. The importance of P4 action via the PGR is evident from the infertility of PGR-deficient mice and the association of abnormal P4 signals with diseases such as endometriosis [18] and breast cancer [19,20], miscarriage, and preterm birth [9]. Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is a non-classical P4 receptor that differs from the classical PGR [21]. It forms a dimer to exert its action. PGRMC1 dimerizes via heme and the dimer interacts with cytochrome P450 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in order to increase cancer cell growth and resistance to chemotherapy [22]. In reproductive organs, PGRMC1-mediated P4 signaling suppresses the apoptosis of human ovarian granulosa cells [23], and uterine-specific PGRMC1-deficient mice exhibit a reduced fertility and form cysts in the endometrium [24]. In triple negative breast cancer cells, the negative effect of P4 on cell proliferation and cell death was reduced by repressing PGRMC1 [25].

We and others previously demonstrated that endometrial PGRMC1 expression decreases during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and the small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown and inhibition of PGRMC1 promotes ESC decidualization in vitro [26,27]. However, the relationship between the PGRMC1 expression and cellular senescence in ESCs during decidualization has not been explored. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of PGRMC1 in cellular senescence accompanying decidualization.

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3. Results

3.1. PGRMC1 Inhibition and Knockdown Induce Cellular Senescence in Decidualizing ESCs

In order to examine the role of PGRMC1 in cellular senescence in decidualizing ESCs, we evaluated the effects of a PGRMC1 inhibitor, AG-205, that blocks PGRMC1 action [29,30,31], and the knockdown of PGRMC1 on SA-β-Gal activity in db-cAMP and P4 (D/P)-treated decidualizing cells (Figure 1). The ESCs were pre-treated with AG-205 or siRNA and then stimulated for 2 days with D/P. The SA-β-Gal activity increased in D/P-treated decidualizing cells (Figure 1A,B). AG-205 treatment increased the number of SA-β-Gal-positive cells compared with the number of control cells (Figure 1A,B). Treatment with AG-205 enhanced SA-β-Gal activity in the D/P-stimulated decidualizing cells (Figure 1A,B). The transfection of PGRMC1-specific siRNA significantly reduced its mRNA and protein expression in ESCs (Figure 1C,D) but increased the intensity of SA-β-Gal staining. The D/P-induced SA-β-Gal staining tended to increase in the PGRMC1-knockdown cells (Figure 1E,F). The cell cycle analysis showed that treatment with AG205 or PGRMC1 siRNA increased the population during the G2/M phase (Figure 1G). These results suggest that PGRMC1 is possibly involved in the senescence of ESCs.

3.2. PGRMC1 Inhibition and Knockdown Alter the Expression of Senescence-Associated Inflammatory Factors in ESCs

We next evaluated the effects of PGRMC1 inhibition and silencing on the expression of senescence-associated inflammatory factors in ESCs. Although IL8 mRNA was downregulated in the D/P-stimulated decidualizing cells (Figure 2A), the IL8 secretion was increased by D/P treatment (Figure 2B). Treatment with AG-205 further increased IL8 secretion in the D/P-treated cells (Figure 2B). In contrast, PGRMC1 siRNA decreased IL8 secretion in the D/P-stimulated cells (Figure 2B).

IL6 expression was suppressed in the D/P-stimulated ESCs (Figure 2C). AG205 increased mRNA expression and the secretion of IL6 in the presence of D/P. However, PGRMC1 knockdown did not alter IL6 mRNA expression and the secretion under D/P stimulation (Figure 2C,D). Decidualization increases the secretion of IL15. Treatment with the PGRMC1 inhibitor or siRNA did not alter the mRNA expression of IL15 in the absence of the decidual stimulus. Treatment with AG-205 plus D/P reduced IL15 expression compared with the D/P treatment only. PGRMC1 siRNA increased the expression of IL15 in decidualized cells in the presence of D/P (Figure 2E).

3.3. PGRMC1 Inhibition and Knockdown Promote the Expression of D/P-Induced FOXO1 in ESCs

FOXO1 is crucial for the induction of decidual markers [14] and is involved in decidual senescence [6] in ESCs. Therefore, the effects of PGRMC1 inhibition and knockdown on FOXO1 expression were examined. The D/P treatment upregulated FOXO1 expression (Figure 3A,B). Although treatment with AG-205 alone did not alter FOXO1 expression, the D/P-induced FOXO1 expression was further increased by AG-205 (Figure 3A). Furthermore, the D/P-stimulated FOXO1 expression was enhanced in PGRMC1-depleted cells (Figure 3B).

3.4. FOXO1 Knockdown Suppresses Decidual Senescence in ESCs

FOXO1 knockdown suppresses senescence [6]. Two types of FOXO1 siRNA were tested in order to evaluate the effect on the expression of FOXO1. Each FOXO1 siRNA greatly suppressed FOXO1 expression (Figure 4A). FOXO1 knockdown suppressed the SA-β-Gal staining accompanying decidualization in ESCs (Figure 4B,C).

3.5. FOXO1 Silencing Represses Decidual Senescence Induced by PGRMC1 Inhibition and Knockdown

To elucidate the relationship between PGRMC1 and FOXO1 in decidual senescence, we examined the effects of FOXO1 knockdown on decidual senescence upon PGRMC1 inhibition and knockdown (Figure 5). The double knockdown of PGRMC1 and FOXO1 in decidualized ESCs was confirmed by immunoblotting (Figure 5A). The enhanced SA-β-Gal activities in ESCs treated with AG-205 and D/P were completely repressed by FOXO1 knockdown (Figure 5B,C). In addition, FOXO1 silencing suppressed the elevation of SA-β-Gal-positive cells upon treatment with PGRMC1 siRNA and D/P (Figure 5D,E). This study suggests that FOXO1 was involved in the mechanism of accelerated cellular senescence due to decreased PGRMC1 expression associated with decidualization (Figure 6).

4. Discussion

In the human endometrium, PGRMC1 expression is lowered during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle [26,32]. We have shown that the PGRMC1 level is downregulated during decidualization of cultured ESCs in vitro and that a microRNA, miR-98, is involved in PGRMC1 downregulation in ESCs [27]. Further, both PGRMC1 inhibition by AG-205 and knockdown by siRNA promote the expression of the decidual markers IGFBP1 and PRL in ESCs [27]. Salsano et al. [26] reported that the overexpression of PGRMC1 in ESCs abrogates decidualization. Thus, the downregulation of PGRMC1 may promote decidualization during the secretory phase in the endometrium for the establishment of pregnancy.

Decidualization is accompanied by the appearance of senescent cells [6,7,8]. Cellular senescence is accompanied by the persistent arrest of cell proliferation during the process of differentiation. Decidual senescence is a critical component of decidualization and necessary for the initial pro-inflammatory response required for embryo implantation. Our group demonstrated that senescent cell removal by senolytic agents stimulates decidualization [33]. However, it remains unknown whether PGRMC1 is involved in decidual senescence. In the present study, we demonstrated that the knockdown and inhibition of PGRMC1 increased SA-β-Gal activity, an indicator of cellular senescence, and the population of G2/M phase in decidualizing ESCs.

Although the precise mechanism of decidual senescence has not been well characterized, Brighton et al. reported that FOXO1, which is upregulated upon decidualization, functions as a key inducer of cellular senescence via upregulating IL8 in ESCs [6].

In this study, PGRMC1 knockdown and inhibition stimulated FOXO1 expression in the D/P-treated ESCs. Of note, FOXO1 knockdown suppressed the cellular senescence induced by PGRMC1 knockdown and inhibition. These results suggest that the downregulation of PGRMC1 in ESCs may cause cellular senescence by increasing FOXO1 expression upon decidualization (Figure 6). In addition, cellular senescence was observed in the PGRMC1 inhibitor- and siRNA-treated cells even in the absence of the decidual stimulus. This suggests that PGRMC1 also suppresses cellular senescence in a FOXO1-independent manner in undifferentiated ESCs. Interestingly, age-related endometrial cysts in the uterus form earlier in PGRMC1-knockout mice than in normal mice [34]. The formation of endometrial cysts is a typical phenotype of senescence in mice and humans, suggesting that there is a link between PGRMC1 and senescence in the uterus. In the fetal membrane, abnormal senescence can cause preterm birth, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restrictions [35]. Oxidative stress, characterized by imbalances in the redox system in the fetal–maternal intrauterine compartments, has been reported to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia [36,37] and preterm birth [38]. Hydrogen peroxide-triggered senescence is further promoted by the knockdown of PGRMC1 in fetal membrane cells [35], suggesting that PGRMC1 protects against oxidative stress-induced senescence in the fetal membrane.

As SASP factors, IL8 and IL6 protein secretion increased with PGRMC1 inhibition, whereas IL8 mRNA expression was not altered. The inflammatory reaction was initiated in the early stage of decidualization [39]. We confirmed that the expression of IL8 mRNA was promoted at 24 h after decidual stimulation, and the AG-205 treatment increased the expression of IL8 (data not shown). These results imply that IL8 mRNA expression may be increased by PGRMC1 inhibition and knockdown at an earlier timepoint than analyzed in this study. Similarly for another SASP factor, IGFBP7, our preliminary data showed that the expression was increased by the decidualization stimuli and that the treatment of AG205 promoted the D/P-stimulated IGFBP7 expression (data not shown). Furthermore, the expression of p21 and p53 were not changed by AG205 and PGRMC1 knockdown in ESCs (data not shown). These results suggest that enhanced cellular senescence by PGRMC1 inhibition and knockdown may not be mediated by p53 and p21 induction in ESCs.

The IL15 secreted by decidualized cells activates the NK cells in the uterus and induces the elimination of senescent cells by activating the NK cells [6]. Although the expression of IL15 mRNA increased upon decidualization, different responses were detected upon PGRMC1 inhibition and knockdown. This result may be due to the difference in culture time between experiments using AG-205 and PGRMC1 siRNA. PGRMC1 exhibits haem-dependent dimerization on the cell membrane [22]. The PGRMC1 dimer binds to EGFR [40] and cytochrome P450 [40,41] and thereby enhances tumor cell proliferation and chemotherapy resistance [42]. AG-205 may inhibit the dimerization of PGRMC1, and the dissimilarity between inhibition and silencing of PGRMC1 might result in different outcomes. AG-205 has been widely used as an PGRMC1 inhibitor; however, it has some PGRMC1-independent inhibitory effects on the galactosylceramide synthesis and stimulatory effects on large vesicular structure formations, cholesterol biosynthesis, and steroidogenesis [42,43,44,45]. Although we cannot exclude the possibility that a non-specific action of AG-205 affects the expression of the SASP factors, the effects of AG-205 on decidualization and FOXO1-mediated decidual senescence were similar to those of PGRMC1 knockdown. This issue requires further investigation in order to clarify the role of PGRMC1 in ESCs.

Previously, we reported that PGRMC1 inhibition and knockdown enhanced db-cAMP-induced decidualization, even in the absence of P4. We therefore speculated that the action of P4 was not necessary for the stimulatory effect of PGRMC1 downregulation on decidualization. The expression of FOXO1 was increased by the activation of cAMP signaling in decidualizing ESCs [46]. Although the precise mechanism by which PGRMC1 knockdown and inhibition induce FOXO1 in decidualizing ESCs is unclear, PGRMC1 might regulate cAMP signaling in ESCs. Thus, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between cAMP signaling and PGRMC1 in decidualizing ESCs. The elucidation of the regulatory action of PGRMC1-mediated FOXO1 expression may improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying differentiation and cellular senescence during ESC decidualization.

A limitation of this study is that we evaluated PGRMC1 in cultured ESCs but not in the endometrium in vivo. Human endometrial assembloids consisting of gland-like organoids and primary stromal cells were recently established [45]. They can respond to decidual stimuli and resemble the mid-luteal endometrium that has differentiated and senescent subpopulations of endometrial cells [45]. The use of this model may further clarify the precise role of PGRMC1 in endometrial decidualization and accompanying senescence.

In the present study, the functional inhibition of PGRMC1 promoted not only decidualization but also decidual senescence in ESCs (Figure 6). In conclusion, our data suggest that PGRMC1 in the endometrium suppresses cellular senescence and that the secretory phase-specific downregulation of PGRMC1 expression induces appropriate decidualization in order to enable remodeling of the endometrium and embryo implantation.