Investigation of the relationship between ovarian hormones and CKAP4 in endometrial stromal cells

Endometrial stromal cells undergo changes in the menstrual cycle and decidualization with the effect of ovarian hormones. Disruptions in these processes may result in clinical outcomes such as infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and preeclampsia. Although the presence of CKAP4 in endometrial stromal cells is known; CKAP4 expression response to ovarian hormone changes and its relationship with decidualization is unknown. For this purpose, 6 groups (control, E2, MPA, cAMP, E2+MPA, E2+MPA+cAMP) stimulated by Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and 17-β-estradiol (E2)) and/or cAMP) was formed and at end of the 3, 6 and 9 days, the PRL level was demonstrated by ELISA, CKAP4 immunoreactivity by flow cytometry, cyto-ELISA, and immunofluorescence methods; CKAP4 and PCNA expressions were determined by western blot. The presence of CKAP4 in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus was demonstrated in the endometrial stromal cells. While E2 stimulation increases CKAP4 in the cytoplasm, a peak on the 6th day and regression on the 9th day was observed in the MPA and E2+MPA groups. In decidualized groups (cAMP, E2+MPA+cAMP), increased CKAP4 expression both in the cytoplasm and cell membrane indicated increased synthesis of CKAP4 in cytoplasm and transfer to the cell membrane. In conclusion, it has been shown that CKAP4 expression is affected by steroid hormones, and CKAP4 increases in decidualization.