Endometrial and myometrial corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH): its regulation and possible roles

In human endometrium, both epithelial and stroma cells produce corticotropi n-releasing hormone (CRH). Both types of cells also possess specific CRH-bi nding sites indicating a local effect of endometrial CRH. The transcription of the CRH gene in human endometrium is under the control of steroid hormo nes and locally produced prostanoids and interleukins. Endometrial CRH inte racts with locally produced prostaglandins and interleukins. Based on these observations it can be hypothesized that CRH, prostaglandins and interleuk ins form a network responsible for the communication between epithelial and stromal cells. at the level of the endometrium, and between endometrial an d myometrial cells at the level of uterus. The net product of these interac tion is the micro-regulation of the decidualizing process and the preparati on of endometrium for the implantation/nidation of the conceptus. Indeed. t his network may represent the core of the intrauterine neuroendocrine-immun e interactions involved in the decidualization of stroma and implantation o f blastocyst. In addition, this network appears to be essential for the fin e-tuning of myometrial tone. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights rese rved.