Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42421150›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2026

LGR5 as a therapeutic target for decidualization-based endometrial mesenchymal stem cells therapy in thin endometrium.

Kai Chen, Xueqing Ning, Huiru Wang, Jingxin Wang, Xin Zhao, Lu Zong, Shengxia Zheng

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Kai Chen *Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 17 Lujiang Road, Luyang District, Hefei, 230001, China.
Xueqing Ning *Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 17 Lujiang Road, Luyang District, Hefei, 230001, China.
Huiru WangCenter for Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 17 Lujiang Road, Luyang District, Hefei, 230001, China.
Jingxin WangCenter for Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 17 Lujiang Road, Luyang District, Hefei, 230001, China.
Xin ZhaoCenter for Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 17 Lujiang Road, Luyang District, Hefei, 230001, China.
Lu ZongCenter for Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 17 Lujiang Road, Luyang District, Hefei, 230001, China.
Shengxia ZhengCenter for Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 17 Lujiang Road, Luyang District, Hefei, 230001, China. zhengshengxia@ustc.edu.cn.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 81971339, 82571878National Natural Science Foundation of China 82201792
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDecidualization of endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (ESCs) is crucial for the implantation of the embryo. Thin endometrium (TE) can impair endometrial receptivity by affecting the decidualization of ESCs. However, how TE affects the decidualization of ESCs remains unclear.

methodsThrough multiple transcriptome analyses, we found that LGR5 plays a crucial role in the decidualization of ESCs. In vitro, siRNA was used to knock down LGR5 in ESCs, and decidualization was assessed via morphology, qRT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA for decidualization marker (PRL, IGFBP-1). Colony forming assay, EdU, CFSE, and tube formation were used to evaluate proliferation and secretion. Signaling pathway components (β-catenin, AXIN2, PGR) were analyzed. In vivo, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivered shRNA to knock down Lgr5 in mouse uterine to assess endometrial receptivity and pregnancy rates. A TE mouse model was established and treated with decidualized endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (DSCs) or LGR5-knockdown DSCs to evaluate therapeutic efficacy.

resultsLGR5 was significantly upregulated during decidualization and downregulated in TE tissues. In vitro, LGR5 knockdown impaired DSCs' morphological transformation, reduced decidualization, restored proliferation, but diminished secretory function and angiogenic potential. Mechanistically, LGR5 knockdown suppressed the β-catenin pathway and downregulated progesterone receptor (PGR). In vivo, Lgr5 knockdown reduced endometrial thickness, receptivity markers (Lif, Hoxa10, Pgr), and embryo implantation numbers. Crucially, transplanting LGR5-knockdown DSCs into TE mice resulted in inferior restoration of endometrial structure, reduced angiogenesis, and lower pregnancy rates compared to DSCs.

conclusionLGR5 plays an important role in ESCs decidualization and may contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of DSCs for TE repair, potentially through regulation of PGR via the β-catenin pathway. These results indicate that LGR5 represents a candidate target worthy of further investigation for developing function-restoring therapies in TE.

Indexed as

DeciduaEndometriumMesenchymal Stem CellsMesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledAnimalsAxin Proteinbeta CateninCell ProliferationEmbryo ImplantationFemaleHumansMicePregnancyReceptors, ProgesteroneAxin2 protein, mouseAxin Proteinbeta CateninLgr5 protein, mouseReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledReceptors, ProgesteroneEndometrial decidualizationEndometrial mesenchymal stem cellsLGR5Stem cell therapyThin endometrium

Identifiers

PMID42421150
PMCPMC13637238

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.