Structure and function of cultured endometrial epithelial cells

Uterine endometrial epithelial cells undergo profound changes in structure and Junction in preparation for blastocyst implantation. The dynamics of th is process for human endometrium can be studied only in cell culture. Prima ry cell cultures started from tissue removed at varying times during the cy cle retain some aspects of differentiation as manifest in regulated protein synthesis. Differentiation of endometrial, epithelial cell lines will occu r when culture conditions are varied. Domes, gland-like structures, polariz ed sheets and spheroids can be produced. Studying the process of differenti ation in vitro should provide information about differentiation in vivo, pa rticularly about how changing protein synthesis accompanies changing cell s tructure. Endometrial epithelial cells in culture can also be manipulated t o allow study of steroid agonism and antagonism, cancer, menses and regener ation and endometriosis.