Pregnancy success in mice requires appropriate cannabinoid receptor signaling for primary decidua formation

Abstract
Introduction
Results
Discussion
Materials and methods
Data availability
References
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Abstract

With implantation, mouse stromal cells begin to transform into epithelial-like cells surrounding the implantation chamber forming an avascular zone called the primary decidual zone (PDZ). In the mouse, the PDZ forms a transient, size-dependent permeable barrier to protect the embryo from maternal circulating harmful agents. The process of decidualization is critical for pregnancy maintenance in mice and humans. Mice deficient in cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, show compromised PDZ with dysregulated angiogenic factors, resulting in the retention of blood vessels and macrophages. This phenotype is replicated in Cnr1^-/- but not in Cnr2^-/-mice. In vitro decidualization models suggest that Cnr1 levels substantially increase in mouse and human decidualizing stromal cells, and that neutralization of CB1 signaling suppresses decidualization and misregulates angiogenic factors. Taken together, we propose that implantation quality depends on appropriate angiogenic events driven by the integration of CB2 in endothelial cells and CB1 in decidual cells.

Introduction

Decidualization is a critical pregnancy event that follows embryo implantation. During the initial stages of decidualization in mice, stromal cells transform into epithelioid cells (epithelial-like) surrounding the implanting embryo and form an avascular zone. This region is called the primary decidual zone (PDZ) and is critical to embryo development and successful pregnancy outcomes in mice (Cha et al., 2012). The PDZ encircles the implantation chamber (crypt) on day 5 of pregnancy and is fully established by day 6. Because the PDZ is avascular, this zone is normally devoid of maternal immune cells, and protects embryos from circulating maternal insults (Tung et al., 1986). Recently we have shown that Scribble (Scrib), a scaffold protein and a component of the planar cell polarity (PCP), plays a key role in PDZ formation (Yuan et al., 2019). However, molecular regulation in the formation of the PDZ is still far from clear.

Natural cannabinoids (tetrahydrocannabinol, the most potent psychoactive component) and endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoilglycerol) signal through two membrane receptors, CB1 (encoded by Cnr1) and CB2 (encoded by Cnr2). Both CB1 and CB2 are G-protein coupled receptors in the Gi/o and Gq families (Pertwee et al., 2010). CB1 is mainly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), but also appears in peripheral tissues including the uterus, heart, testis, liver, and small intestine. By contrast, CB2 is mostly expressed in immune cells (Berdyshev, 2000). We have recently shown that CB2 is also expressed in uterine endothelial cells (Li et al., 2019). Deletion of Cnr2 increases uterine edema before implantation and causes suboptimal implantation (Li et al., 2019).

Our work has previously shown that elevated cannabinoid signaling is detrimental to early pregnancy events in mice (Sun and Dey, 2012). Furthermore, we have shown that Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- mice have compromised implantation (Li et al., 2019), suggesting that silencing of endocannabinoid signaling is also detrimental to early pregnancy events. In the study, we showed that the litter sizes of double mutant mice, but not single mutant mice, are substantially smaller than wild-type (WT) mice. We also found that endothelial cells with Cnr2 deletion play an important role in embryo implantation (Li et al., 2019). Interestingly, resorption rate is lower in Cnr2^-/- females than in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females during the midgestational stage, indicating a critical role of CB1 in early pregnancy. Since CB1 abundance is quite low in the uterus, its role in early pregnancy remains obscure.

In this study, we investigated the roles of endocannabinoid signaling in decidualization using mouse models with suppressed CB1 and CB2 and a primary culture of Cnr1^-/- stromal cells. The results show that double mutant mice have compromised PDZ formation, resulting in suboptimal pregnancy outcomes. Further investigation revealed that Cnr1 is expressed in decidual cells. These results, combined with our previous knowledge of CB2 expression in endothelial cells, show for the first time that angiogenic actions incited by CB2 are integrated by CB1 in decidual cells to form the avascular PDZ, which is critical for pregnancy success.

Results

Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females have suboptimal decidualization

Previously we showed that Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- uteri have defective decidualization and consequent increases in midgestational resorption rates. However, the mechanism by which the absence of CB1 and CB2 signaling compromises uterine decidualization remains unclear. To explore this further, WT and Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females were mated with WT males. Induction of Ptgs2, a rate-limiting enzyme for prostaglandin formation, at the crypt (implantation chamber) epithelium and underlying stroma has been shown to be critical to initiate decidualization (Lim et al., 1997). Thus, we examined the expression of Ptgs2 on day 5 of pregnancy to capture the influence of Ptgs2. The expression pattern and signal intensity of Ptgs2 is comparable in WT and Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females (Figure 1a), indicating stimulation from embryo implantation is well received by Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- uteri. However, the in situ hybridization of Bmp2, a morphogen expressed by cells undergoing decidualization at the site of embryo implantation (Lee et al., 2007; Paria et al., 2001), reveals that stromal cell decidualization is defective in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females on day 5 of pregnancy (Figure 1b). Expression of Hoxa10, also critical for decidualization (Benson et al., 1996), shows a similar reduction in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites (Figure 1—figure supplement 1). Decidual defects in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- uteri continue on day 6 of pregnancy. The tridimensional (3D) structure of implantation sites reveals that, on day 6 of pregnancy, decidual responses in WT mice promote the uterine lumen to form an arch shape, whereas in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites, the lumen remains flat (Figure 2a). The domain of Bmp2 positive signals is reduced in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites (Figure 2b). In contrast, stromal cells after decidual transformation downregulate the expression of Bmp2. More decidualized cells around the implantation chamber negative for Bmp2 signals are observed on day 6 of pregnancy in WT mice as compared to Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites (Figure 2b). With decidualization in progress, Ptgs2 expression transitions from the antimesometrial side of the crypt to the mesometrial side in the WT crypt on day 6 of pregnancy. In Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites, cells on the lateral side of the implantation chamber show Ptgs2 signals, suggesting impeded progress of decidualization (Figure 2c).

Figure 1 with 1 supplement see all

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*Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* females show normal responses to embryonic stimulation during implantation, but decidual process is compromised.

(a) In situ hybridization of *Ptgs2* in uteri on day 5 of pregnancy. The expression patterns of *Ptgs2* critical for implantation show no significant difference in WT and *Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* females. CK8 staining outlines uterine epithelial cells. (b) In situ hybridization of *Bmp2* in uteri on day 5 of pregnancy. Decidual responses in *Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* females are much weaker than those in WT females. le, luminal epithelium; s, stroma; ge, glandular epithelium; Asterisks, positions of embryos; Scale bars, 500 μm. All images are representative of three independent experiments.

Figure 2

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*Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* females have suboptimal decidualization.

(a) 3D visualization of day 6 implantation sites in WT and *Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* females. Images of E-cadherin immunostaining, segmented, and 3D rendered images of day 6 implantation sites in each genotype show compromised decidual responses in *Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* females. Scale bars, 300 μm. (**b and c**) In situ hybridization of *Bmp2* and *Ptgs2* in uteri on day 6 of pregnancy. M, mesometrial; AM, anti-mesometrial; Asterisks, positions of embryos; Scale bars, 500 μm. All images are representative of three independent experiments.

Macrophages are retained around the implantation chambers of compromised deciduae in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females

Hematopoietic cells, including macrophages, are distributed throughout mouse uteri before implantation, though these cells are not present in the decidual zone after implantation (Erlebacher, 2013; Nancy et al., 2012). We observed that the distribution of hematopoietic cells, as revealed by a pan hematopoietic marker CD45, is comparable in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- and WT uteri on day 4 of pregnancy (Figure 3a). This observation is further confirmed by the distribution of macrophages, which are demarcated by a macrophage marker F4/80 staining (Austyn and Gordon, 1981; Figure 3b). These results suggest that hematopoietic cells normally enter the uterus of Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- mice before implantation. On day 6 of pregnancy, most hematopoietic cells migrate away from the implantation chamber in WT females, whereas some hematopoietic cells fail to do so in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females (Figure 3—figure supplement 1). Similarly, most macrophages are absent from the WT implantation chamber, but some macrophages remain around the Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- embryos, albeit at reduced number (Figure 3c). The significant lingering of macrophages in the Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- endometrium (Figure 3d) suggests that impeded decidual responses in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females fail to dispel macrophages efficiently. Collectively, the result suggests that the normally developed decidua protects the developing blastocyst from inflammatory insult from macrophages and that this safe-guard mechanism is compromised in double-mutant mice.

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Macrophages are retained around implantation chambers of compromised deciduae in *Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* females.

(a) Uterine leukocytes in pre-implantation are highlighted by CD45, which is expressed on all leukocytes. (b) Immunofluorescent staining of F4/80 on day 4 of pregnancy to mark macrophages. (c) Immunofluorescent staining of F4/80 on day 6 of pregnancy. (d) The numbers of macrophages within the endometrial domains are quantified using three sections obtained from three different animals in each genotype. le, luminal epithelium; s, stroma; myo, myometrium; Asterisks, positions of embryos; Scale bars, 500 μm; *p<0.05, *Student’s t*-tests. All images are representative of three independent experiments.

The formation of the primary decidual zone is compromised in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites

On day 6 of pregnancy, the first stratum of the decidual zone, called the primary decidual zone (PDZ), is fully established. As previously stated, the PDZ is an avascular zone comprised of stromal cells undergoing epithelial-like transformation and is impermeable to maternal immune cells; as such, this zone is indispensable to protect and support further embryo development (Tung et al., 1986). The finding that macrophages remain close to Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation chambers prompted us to examine the formation of the PDZ on day 6 of pregnancy. PDZ formation requires Scrib signaling (Yuan et al., 2019), yet the Scrib positive domain is much reduced in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females (Figure 4a). This result is also supported by the presence of blood vessels, revealed by immunostaining of FLK1, a reliable marker of blood vessels, in the Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- PDZ on day 6 of pregnancy (Figure 4b). The presence of blood vessels in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- PDZ is significantly abundant than that in WT PDZ (Figure 4—figure supplement 1). Vegfa, which promotes angiogenesis by targeting its receptor FLK1 (Millauer et al., 1993), shows a dynamic spatiotemporal expression pattern in periimplantation uteri (Halder et al., 2000). Vegfa expression is downregulated in WT PDZ on day 6 of pregnancy, whereas positive Vegfa signals are observed in the PDZ of Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- mice (Figure 4b), similar to FLK1 positive cells in the same area. These results indicate that normal disappearance of blood vessels is hindered in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- PDZ, accompanied by lingering macrophages around the embryo.

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The formation of the primary decidual zone is compromised in *Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* implantation sites.

(a) The primary decidual zone is highlighted by Scribble on day 6 of pregnancy. (b) Immunofluorescence staining of FLK1 and in situ hybridization of *Vegfa* in day 6 pregnant uteri. Blood vessels and higher *Vegfa* signals are observed in the PDZ area (indicated by green or white lines) of *Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* implantation sites. CK8 staining outlines epithelial cells. Asterisks, positions of embryos; Scale bars, 500 μm. All images are representative of three independent experiments.

Retention of blood vessels in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- PDZ is associated with multiple angiogenic factors

Proangiogenic angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1), targeting TIE2 receptors on endothelia, is critical to assemble newly formed vasculature and stabilize the vascular network and integrity (Davis et al., 1996; Suri et al., 1996). By contrast, angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2), an ANGPT1 antagonist (Maisonpierre et al., 1997), promotes endothelial cell apoptosis and vascular regression. Angpt1 is expressed in most stromal/decidual cells but is absent in the PDZ region of day 6 implantation sites in WT mice (Figure 5a). However, Angpt1 expression remains in the PDZ of Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- mice, which facilitates the stability of vessels in the region (Figure 5a). The signal intensity of Angpt1 is quantified in Figure 5—figure supplement 1. In contrast to Angpt1, Angpt2 is expressed in decidualized stromal cells surrounding the implantation chamber at the mesometrial side in WT females (Figure 5b). The domain expressing Angpt2 and the signal intensity are much reduced in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites (Figure 5b and Figure 5—figure supplement 1). These results indicate that opposing functions between ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 at implantation sites maintain a vascular network that supports normal implantation; in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites, these opposing functions are dysregulated. To further determine the roles of CB1 and CB2 in the regulation of ANGPTs, RNA levels of Angpts were examined in Cnr1^-/- and Cnr2^-/- mice. Intriguingly, the expression pattern of Angpt1 and Angpt2 in Cnr1^-/- implantation sites recapitulate their patterns in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- counterparts (Figure 5a and b), suggesting that defects in ANGPT regulation are due to CB1 deficiency.

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Angiogenic factors are misregulated in *Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/-* and *Cnr1^-/-* PDZ.

(**a–d**) In situ hybridization of *Angpt1*, *Angpt2*, *Hif1a* and *Hif2a* on day 6 of pregnancy. CK8 staining outlines uterine epithelial cells. (**e and f**) Immunostaining of HIF1A and HIF2A on day 6 of pregnancy. Dotted lines outline the PDZs. Asterisks, positions of embryos; Scale bars, 500 μm. All images are representative of three independent experiments.

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcriptional regulators of angiopoietins and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs; Ortiz-Barahona et al., 2010; Benita et al., 2009). Interestingly, we found the expression pattern of Hif1a is similar to that of Angpt1, showing broad expression in stromal cells but lacking expression in WT PDZs on day 6 of pregnancy (Figure 5c). On the other hand, the pattern of Hif2a expression is similar to that of Angpt2 with positive signals in stromal cells close to implantation sites (Figure 5d). PDZs in Cnr1^-/- and Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- mice show increased Hif1a expression, as well as decreased Hif2a expression compared with WT females on day 6 of pregnancy (Figure 5c and d, Figure 5—figure supplement 1). The mRNA expression patterns of Hif1a and Hif2a were further confirmed by immunostaining using antibodies specific to Hif1a and Hif2a (Figure 5e and f). These results suggest that increased Angpt1 expression with decreased Angpt2 expression in the PDZs of Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- stabilizes blood vessels in this region. The differential expression patterns of Hif1a and Hif2a indicate that Angpt1 and Angpt2 are perhaps differentially regulated by Hif1a and HIF2A, respectively. The similar patterns of angiogenic factors in Cnr1^-/- and Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- mice suggest that CB1 plays a key role in PDZ formation.

Cnr1 is induced in mouse and human decidual cells

CB2 is primarily expressed in immune cells. Using a Cnr2 reporter mouse line (López et al., 2018), we have recently shown that uterine endothelial cells express CB2 (Li et al., 2019). Studies show that the deletion of Cnr1 in the mouse uterus compromises pregnancy outcomes (Wang et al., 2006), even though Cnr1 levels are quite low in non-pregnant uterine cells. We observed that Cnr1 levels increase in implantation sites from day 4 to day 8 (the peak of decidual response; Figure 6a). Since most uterine epithelial cells are removed in implantation sites on day 8, we attribute the increase to changes in stromal/decidual cells. We isolated and purified uterine stromal cells on day 4 of pregnancy and induced them to decidualize in vitro by hormone treatments according to our established protocol (Sun et al., 2016). Levels of Cnr1 increased about threefold in WT and Cnr2^-/- decidualizing cells as compared to non-decidualized stromal cells in each genotype (Figure 6b). We did not include levels of Cnr1 from Cnr1^-/- mice because Cnr1 levels are undetectable in Cnr1^-/- mice.

Figure 6

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CB1 expression in mouse uterine stromal cells increases during decidualization.

(a) Levels of *Cnr1* are higher at the peak of decidual response on day 8 of pregnancy as compared to day 4 of pregnancy. Samples were from three different females in each genotyping group. (b) *Cnr1* is induced in primary culture of WT and *Cnr2^-/-* stromal cells undergoing decidualization in vitro. (c) Decidualization is severely reduced in primary *Cnr1^-/-* stromal cells after decidual stimulation in vitro. Prl8a2 expression served as an indicator of decidual responses. Primary cells were collected from three different females in each genotyping groups. Values are mean ± SEM; Numbers on bars represent sample sizes; *p<0.05, Unpaired t-tests with Welch’s correction.

To study the roles of Cnr1 during decidualization, stromal cells collected from both Cnr1^-/- and WT uteri were induced to a decidual reaction in vitro. Prl8a2, a marker gene expressed in mouse decidual cells, was significantly lower in Cnr1^-/-, but not Cnr2^-/-, decidual cells (Figure 6c), suggesting deletion of Cnr1 in stromal cells compromises decidualization. Interestingly, the induction of CNR1 is even more robust in human uterine fibroblast (Huf) cells when decidualized in vitro. A steady increase of CNR1 was observed during the cell transformation, and eventually CNR1 increased by more than hundredfold compared with cells before decidualization (Figure 7a). The decidual responses in Huf cells in the 6 d after induction were confirmed by a rise in two decidual markers, PROLACTIN (PRL) and IGFBP1 (Figure 7b and c). The morphology of Huf cells changed from a spindle shape to more of a round shape (Figure 7d and Figure 7—figure supplement 1), which was also reflected by increases in nuclear circularity during decidualization (Figure 7e and f). Cell circularity is calculated as a ratio of the minor axis versus the major axis (Figure 7e). The nuclear circularity in decidualized Huf cells is significantly higher than in cells before decidualization (Figure 7f). Although CNR1 levels were hundredfold higher in decidualized cells compared to control cells (Figure 7a), CNR2 levels show no significant changes (Figure 7—figure supplement 2), suggesting CB1 plays a more important role in human decidualization.

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*CNR1* levels are upregulated in human uterine fibroblasts during in vitro decidualization.

(a) Levels of *CNR1* gradually increase in Huf cells undergoing decidualization. (**b and c**) Decidual responses are marked by significant increases in *PROLACTIN* and *IGFBP1* levels in Huf cells. Sample sizes on bars are the number of culture wells. (d) Morphology of Huf cells changes from spindle shapes to more round shape; SR1 treatment compromises the morphological change in Huf cells. Cells are outlined with actin staining. Scale bar, 100 μm. All images are representative of three culture wells. (e) A scheme depicts the measurement of minor and major axes for calculating nuclear circularity. (f) The nuclear circularity of Huf cells before and after decidualization. SR1 treatment compromises the decidual process. Three fields were randomly chosen in three different culture wells. Values are mean ± SEM; Numbers on bars are sample sizes; *p<0.05, Unpaired t-tests with Welch’s correction.

To further study the biological significance of the induction of CNR1, Huf cells were treated with a specific CB1 antagonist, SR141716 (SR1, 2 µM), during decidualization. The decidual process in SR1-treated Huf cells was significantly compromised, as revealed by changes in PRL and IGFBP1 levels (Figure 8a and b), two established decidual markers. The levels of VEGFA, ANGPT1, ANGPT2, and HIF2A were significantly downregulated by SR1 treatment during decidualization (Figure 8), suggesting the induction of CNR1 during decidualization is critical to this process. Taken together, the upregulation of Cnr1 in decidual cells in both mice and humans plays a key role during decidual cell transformation as supported by both in vivo and in vitro studies.

Figure 8

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Suppression of CB1 impairs normal Huf cell decidualization and expression of angiogenic factors.

(**a–g**) qPCR of *PRL*, *IGFBP1*, *VEGFA*, *ANGPT1*, *ANGPT2*, *HIF1A,* and *HIF2A* using RNA collected 3 d after decidualization. Values are mean ± SEM; Numbers on bars are numbers of culture wells; *p<0.05, Unpaired t-tests with Welch’s correction.

Discussion

In this study, we show that a complex interplay is orchestrated by cannabinoid signaling in decidualization by forming the PDZ along with changes in angiogenic features in the decidual bed. In Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females, this organization is compromised due to defective PDZ formation and dysregulated angiogenic homeostasis. PDZ is avascular in WT implantation sites, whereas blood vessels are present in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- PDZ, accompanied by an increased presence of macrophages.

Angiogenesis and vascular remodeling are hallmarks of implantation, decidualization, and placentation (Halder et al., 2000; Matsumoto et al., 2018; Chakraborty et al., 1995). Retention of blood vessels in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- PDZ is associated with misregulated angiogenic factors: Angpt1, which stabilizes vasculature, is abnormally expressed in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites. Angpt2, which destabilizes preexisting vasculature for Angpt1 sprouting (Maisonpierre et al., 1997), is downregulated in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites. Our results also show that Hif1a has a similar expression pattern to Angpt1 in WT PDZ on day 6 of pregnancy, while the Hif2a expression pattern overlaps with that of Angpt2. This suggests that the deletion of both Cnr1 and Cnr2 impacts PDZ formation and establishment of decidualization through regulation of angiogenic and transcriptional factors. The levels of Cnr1, which are usually low in stromal cells of non-pregnant females, increase during the decidual process in both humans and mice. Using an in vitro decidualization model, we further showed that decidualization is compromised using Cnr1^-/- stromal cells. Consequently, defective PDZ formation results in more resorption later in pregnancy in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females.

Most previous work examining the roles of endocannabinoids in decidualization applied cannabinoids to stromal cells. Although some pharmacological studies using CB1 antagonists suggest CB1 mediates the effects of endocannabinoids on stromal cells, there is no genetic evidence to support this conclusion. Using stromal cells isolated from pregnant rats, a previous report showed that endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) interferes with stromal differentiation (Fonseca et al., 2015). In vivo application of AEA in pseudopregnant rats impaired decidualization with reduced levels of Cox1 and VEGF (Fonseca et al., 2015). There was evidence for a similar observation in humans. In this respect, AEA impairs cell proliferation and differentiation in the human endometrial stromal cell line and primary cultures of decidual fibroblasts from term pregnancy (Almada et al., 2016). There is further evidence that oxidative metabolites of AEA by Cox2 may compromise the normal decidual process (Almada et al., 2017; Almada et al., 2015).

In contrast to the ectopic application of endocannabinoids, our study used mouse models with suppressed cannabinoid signaling. The studies cited above seem to contradict our current findings that cannabinoid signaling is detrimental to decidualization in rats and humans. However, we have shown previously that either amplified or silenced cannabinoid signaling can interfere with early pregnancy (Sun and Dey, 2012). These results suggest that optimal endocannabinoid signaling contributes to pregnancy success, reinforcing our conclusion that normal decidualization requires appropriate cannabinoid signaling.

The function of ANGPT2 in angiogenesis largely depends on the presence of VEGF (Holash et al., 1999a; Holash et al., 1999b) in that VEGF, ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 function cooperatively to promote angiogenesis (Asahara et al., 1998; Visconti et al., 2002). ANGPT2 destabilizes the preexisting vasculature, which consequently responds to angiogenic stimuli. The activated vasculature is extended and stabilized by ANGPT1 (Holash et al., 1999b). In the absence of VEGF, ANGPT2 destabilizes vasculature, which undergoes vascular regression. In implantation sites, VEGF and ANGPT1 have similar expression patterns on day 6 of pregnancy (Halder et al., 2000), but neither is present in the PDZ; only ANGPT2 is expressed in this zone. The consequent avascular zone in the PDZ is considered conducive to the implanting embryo. In the current study, Angpt1 expression is retained in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- PDZ with reduced expression of Angpt2, so that vasculature and macrophages are still observed in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- PDZs.

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are key modulators of the transcriptional responses to hypoxic stress. HIFs are heterodimers of an α-subunit and a stable β-subunit (ARNT). Of the three isoforms, HIF1A and HIF2A are the most studied and structurally similar. HIF1A is considered to have a broader expression pattern in most cells, whereas HIF2A is selectively induced in certain cell types, including endothelial cells and renal interstitial cells (Keith et al., 2012). In our study, Hif1a is expressed mostly in stromal cells except for the PDZ cells of day 6 implantation sites, while Hif2a is induced in PDZ. The transcriptional regulation of HIFs on angiopoietins is specific to tissue and cell-type. For example, in primary human endothelial cells, HIF1A increases mRNA levels of ANGPT2 and ANGPT4 but not ANGPT1 (Yamakawa et al., 2003). In the current study, the overlapping expression of Hif1a and Angpt1, in tandem with the similar expression pattern of Hif2a and Angpt2, suggests that HIF1A increases Angpt1 expression in stromal cells and HIF2A induces Angpt2 transcription in decidualized cells in the PDZ. Taken together, our study illuminates a major responsibility for endocannabinoid signaling in modulating vascular remodeling and integrity. This finding was exemplified in increased vascular leakage at Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites (Li et al., 2019). In conclusion, this investigation reveals that CB1 actions in decidual cells, combined with angiogenic activities driven by CB2, facilitate the formation of the avascular PDZ, which is critical for pregnancy success. Whether other signaling pathways join in this orchestration remains to be seen.

Decidualization is a complex process. Although there are unique differences, some common features of this process are evident in mice and humans. As such, decidualization in mice begins with implantation, whereas decidualization in humans occurs in each menstrual cycle, but becomes more intense like in mice, after implantation (Cha et al., 2012). Our results suggest that the induction of CB1 is a common feature shared by mouse and human decidual cells, and blockage of CB1 compromises in vitro decidual responses in mice and humans. Whether the PDZ is formed in human implantation or other subhuman primates is not known. However, the epithelial plaque formed during early pregnancy in macaque may have a similar function (Enders, 2007).

Materials and methods

Key resources table

Reagent type (species) or resource	Designation	Source or reference	Identifiers	Additional information
Antibody	Anti-E-cadherin (Rabbit monoclonal)	Cell Signaling Technology	Cat# 3195S, RRID:AB_2291471	Whole mount IF(1:100)
Antibody	Alexa Fluor 594 AffiniPure Donkey Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L)	Jackson Immuno Research	Cat# 711-585-152, RRID:AB_2340621	Whole mount IF(1:300)
Antibody	Anti-Cytokeratin 8, TROMA-1 (Rat monoclonal)	Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank	Cat# TROMA-I, RRID:AB_531826	IF (1:100)
Antibody	Anti-CD45, (Rat monoclonal)	Biolegend	Cat# 103101, RRID:AB_312966	IF (1:200)
Antibody	Anti-HIF1A (Rabbit monoclonal)	Cell Signaling Technology	Cat# 36169T, RRID:AB_2799095	IF (1:200)
Antibody	Anti-HIF2A (Rabbit polyclonal)	Novus	Cat# NB100-122SS, RRID:AB_10002593	IF (1:500)
Antibody	Anti-F4/80 (Rat monoclonal)	Biolegend	Cat# MCA497R, RRID:AB_323279	IF (1:200)
Antibody	Anti-Scrib (Rabbit polyclonal)	Santa Cruz	Cat# sc-28737, RRID:AB_2184807	IF (1:500)
Antibody	Alexa Fluor 594 AffiniPure Donkey Anti-Rat IgG (H+L)	Jackson Immuno Research	Cat#712-585-150, RRID:AB_2340688	IF (1:400)
Antibody	Alexa Fluor 488 AffiniPure Donkey Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L)	Jackson Immuno Research	Cat# 711-545-152, RRID:AB_2313584	IF (1:400)
Antibody	Cy2 AffiniPure Donkey Anti-Rat IgG (H+L)	Jackson Immuno Research	Cat# 712-225-153, RRID:AB_2340674	IF (1:400)
Biological sample (M. musculus)	Primary WT,Cnr1^-/- and Cnr2^-/- mouse uterine stromal cells	The current laboratory		Primary mouse uterine stromal cells freshly isolated from mouse uteri
Biological sample (Homo-sapiens)	Human uterine fibroblasts	Cincinnati Children’s Hospital		A gift from Handwerger laboratory. Aliquots maintained as frozen cells
Sequence-based reagent	Mouse Prl8a2_F	This paper	PCR primers	ACGTGATGAGGAGGTTCT
Sequence-based reagent	Mouse Prl8a2_R	This paper	PCR primers	AATCTTGCCCAGTTATGC
Sequence-based reagent	Mouse Cnr1_F	This paper	PCR primers	CATTGGGACTATCTTTGCGG
Sequence-based reagent	Mouse Cnr1_R	This paper	PCR primers	GGTTCTGGAGAACCTGCTGG
Sequence-based reagent	Mouse Rpl7_F	This paper	PCR primers	GCAGATGTACCGCACTGAGATTC
Sequence-based reagent	Mouse Rpl7_R	This paper	PCR primers	ACCTTTGGGCTTACTCCATTGATA
Sequence-based reagent	Human CNR1_F	This paper	PCR primers	gctgcctaaatccactctgc
Sequence-based reagent	Human CNR1_R	This paper	PCR primers	tggacatgaaatggcagaaa
Sequence-based reagent	Human CNR2_F	This paper	PCR primers	GATTGGCAGCGTGACTATGA
Sequence-based reagent	Human CNR2_R	This paper	PCR primers	GATTCCGGAAAAGAGGAAGG
Sequence-based reagent	Human IGFBP1_F	This paper	PCR primers	ccaaactgcaacaagaatg
Sequence-based reagent	Human IGFBP1_R	This paper	PCR primers	gtagacgcaccagcagag
Sequence-based reagent	Human PRL_F	This paper	PCR primers	aagctgtagagattgaggagcaaa
Sequence-based reagent	Human PRL_R	This paper	PCR primers	tcaggatgaacctggctgacta
Sequence-based reagent	Human VEGFA_F	This paper	PCR primers	aaggaggagggcagaatcat
Sequence-based reagent	Human VEGFA_R	This paper	PCR primers	cacacaggatggcttgaaga
Sequence-based reagent	Human ANGPT1_F	This paper	PCR primers	ggacagcaggaaaacagagc
Sequence-based reagent	Human ANGPT1_R	This paper	PCR primers	cacaagcatcaaaccaccat
Sequence-based reagent	Human ANGPT2_F	This paper	PCR primers	ataagcagcatcagccaacc
Sequence-based reagent	Human ANGPT2_R	This paper	PCR primers	aagttggaaggaccacatgc
Sequence-based reagent	Human HIF1A_F	This paper	PCR primers	tcatccaagaagccctaacg
Sequence-based reagent	Human HIF1A_R	This paper	PCR primers	cgctttctctgagcattctg
Sequence-based reagent	Human HIF2A_F	This paper	PCR primers	gaacagcaagagcaggttcc
Sequence-based reagent	Human HIF2A_R	This paper	PCR primers	ggcagcaggtaggactcaaa
Sequence-based reagent	Human GAPDH_F	This paper	PCR primers	gaaggtgaaggtcggagt
Sequence-based reagent	Human GAPDH_R	This paper	PCR primers	gatggcaacaatatccactt
Chemical compound, drug	SR141716	Cayman Chemical	Cat# 9000484	2 µM in culture
Other	RPMI 1640 Medium	Corning	Cat# 15040-cv
Other	Fetal bovine serum	Fisher	Cat# FB12999102

Animals and treatments

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Cnr1^-/- and Cnr2^-/- mice were generated as described (Zimmer et al., 1999; Járai et al., 1999) and Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females were generated by crossing Cnr1^-/- and Cnr2^-/- mice. All genetically modified mice and WT controls were maintained on a C57BL6 mixed background and housed in the animal care facility at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center according to NIH and institutional guidelines for laboratory animals. All protocols of the present study were approved by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. All mice were housed in wall-mount negative airflow polycarbonate cages with corn cob bedding. They were provided ad libitum with double distilled autoclaved water and rodent diet (LabDiet 5010).

Female mice were mated with WT fertile males to induce pregnancy (vaginal plug = day 1 of pregnancy). Implantation sites were visualized by an intravenous injection of 0.1 mL of 1% Chicago blue dye solution in saline 4 min before killing, and the number of implantation sites, demarcated by distinct blue bands, was recorded. Mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation right before tissue collection under deep anesthesia. Mice were killed on different days of pregnancy in accordance with the experimental design,that is, day 4, day 6, and day 8 of pregnancy.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization

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In situ hybridization was performed as previously described (Yuan et al., 2019). In brief, implantation sites from three individual animals in each experimental group were collected. Frozen sections (12 μm) from three implantation sites from different females in each group were mounted onto poly-L-lysine-coated slides and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS. Following acetylation and permeabilization, slides were hybridized with the DIG-labeled Bmp2, Ptgs2, Hoxa10, Hif1a, Hif2a, Angpt1, Angpt2, and Vegfa probes at 55°C overnight. After hybridization, slides were then washed, quenched in H₂O₂ (3%), and blocked in blocking buffer (1%). Anti-Dig-peroxidase was applied onto hybridized slides and color was developed by Tyramide signal amplification (TSA) Fluorescein according to the manufacturer’s instructions (PerkinElmer). Images presented are representative of three independent experiments.

Immunofluorescence

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Implantation sites from three individual animals in each experimental group were snap-frozen. Frozen sections (12 μm) of three implantation sites from different females in each group were mounted onto poly-L-lysine-coated slides and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS. Sections were blocked in 5% BSA in PBS and incubated with primary antibody at 4°C overnight, followed by incubation in secondary antibodies at room temperature for 1 hr in PBS. Nuclear staining was performed using Hoechst 33342 (H1399, Molecular Probes, 2 µg/mL). Immunofluorescence was visualized under a confocal microscope (Nikon Eclipse TE2000). Images presented are representative of three independent experiments. Antibodies for Cytokeratin 8 (Iowa hybridoma bank, 1:100 dilution), CD45 (Biolegend, 1:200 dilution), HIF1A (Cell signaling, 1:200 dilution), HIF2A (Novus, 1:500 dilution), F4/80 (Biorad, 1:200 dilution), and Scrib (Santa Cruz, 1:500 dilution) were used for immunofluorescence staining. All fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies (used in 1:400 dilution) were from Jackson Immunoresearch.

Whole-mount immunostaining for 3D imaging

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One side of uterine horns from three WT and Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females on day 6 of pregnancy were fixed in Dent’s Fixative (Methanol: DMSO, 4:1) overnight at −20°C. After fixation, tissues were then washed in 100% Methanol three times for 1 hr each and bleached with 3% H₂O₂ in methanol overnight at 4°C to eliminate pigmentation. The samples were washed in PBS-T containing 0.1% Tween20 three times for 1 hr each at room temperature and then blocked in 5% BSA in PBS-T overnight at 4°C. The samples were then incubated with an anti-E-cadherin antibody (1:100, 3195 s, Cell Signaling Technology) on a rotor for 7 d at 4°C. After incubation, the samples were then washed six times in PBS-T for 1 hr each at room temperature and then incubated with Alexa Fluor 594 AffiniPure Donkey Anti-Rabbit IgG (H + L) (1:300, Jackson ImmunoResearch) on a rotor for 4 d in a light-proof tube at 4°C. The samples were stored in the dark until tissue clearing.

Tissue clearing for 3D imaging

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The stained samples were held straight with forceps in 100% methanol for 1 min to align the mesometrial–antimesometrial (M–AM) axis and then dehydrated in 100% methanol for 30 min. Dehydration was followed by tissue clearing by BABB (Benzyl alcohol: Benzyl benzoate (1:2); each reagent from Sigma-Aldrich) for 1 hr at room temperature. The samples were then stored in the dark until 3D imaging acquisition (Yuan et al., 2018).

3D imaging and processing

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3D pictures of the implantation site in each processed uterine horn were acquired by a Nikon multiphoton upright confocal microscope (Nikon A1R) with a 10× objective. To obtain the 3D structure of the tissue, the surface tool Imaris (version 9.2.0, Bitplane) was used (Yuan et al., 2018). One representative picture of mouse implantation sites in each genotype is presented.

In vitro decidualization of mouse stromal cells

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Stromal cells were collected by enzymatic digestion of mouse uteri on day 4 of pregnancy as described previously (Sun et al., 2016). The cells were cultured in phenol-red free DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with charcoal-stripped 1% FBS (w/v) overnight before the initiation of decidualization by treatment of estradiol (10 nM) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (1 μM) for 6 d.

In vitro decidualization of HuF cells

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The HuF cells were generated by Stuart Handwerger’s laboratory at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center under appropriate approval by the Institutional Review Board (Grinius et al., 2006). In brief, maternal decidual tissues were dissected from the chorionic layer of human term placentae and enzymatically dispersed (Richards et al., 1995). The HuF cells were isolated by differential plating to >95% purity as previously described (Sherafat-Kazemzadeh et al., 2011). The purity of isolated cells was confirmed by the expression of Vimentin, a mesenchymal cell marker, and the absence of markers of bone marrow-derived cells and epithelial cells (Richards et al., 1995). Handwerger’s laboratory generously shared the HuF cells with us for our research on human decidualization. These cells maintained in our laboratory are tested negative for mycoplasma contamination. After reaching 90% confluence, the cells were decidualized by the addition of medroxyprogesterone acetate (1 μm), estradiol (E₂; 10 nm), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂; 1 μm) in an RPMI medium that contained 2% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. The medium in each well was changed at 3 d intervals unless indicated otherwise.

Quantitative RT-PCR

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RNA was collected from WT and Cnr2^-/- uterine samples; WT, Cnr1^-/-, and Cnr2^-/- primary stromal cells; and human uterine fibroblast cells. RNA was analyzed as described previously (Sun et al., 2014; Das et al., 1995). In brief, total RNA was extracted with Trizol (Invitrogen, USA) according to the manufacturer’s protocol. After DNase treatment (Ambion, USA), 1 µg of total RNA was reverse transcribed with Superscript II (Invitrogen). Real time PCR was performed using primers 5’-ACGTGATGAGGAGGTTCT-3’ (sense) and 5’- AATCTTGCCCAGTTATGC-3’ (anti-sense) for mouse Prl8a2; 5’- CATTGGGACTATCTTTGCGG-3’ (sense) and 5’-GGTTCTGGAGAACCTGCTGG-3’ (anti-sense) for mouse Cnr1; 5’- GCAGATGTACCGCACTGAGATTC-3’ (sense) and 5’-ACCTTTGGGCTTACTCCATTGATA-3’ (anti-sense) for mouse Rpl7; 5’- gctgcctaaatccactctgc-3’ (sense) and 5’- tggacatgaaatggcagaaa-3’ (anti-sense) for human CNR1; 5’- GATTGGCAGCGTGACTATGA-3’ (sense) and 5’-GATTCCGGAAAAGAGGAAGG-3’ (anti-sense) for human CNR2; 5’-ccaaactgcaacaagaatg-3’ (sense) and 5’-gtagacgcaccagcagag-3’ (anti-sense) for human IGFBP1; 5’- aagctgtagagattgaggagcaaa-3’ (sense) and 5’-tcaggatgaacctggctgacta-3’ (anti-sense) for human PRL; 5’- aaggaggagggcagaatcat-3’ (sense) and 5’- cacacaggatggcttgaaga-3’ (anti-sense) for human VEGFA. 5’- ggacagcaggaaaacagagc-3’ (sense) and 5’- cacaagcatcaaaccaccat-3’ (anti-sense) for human ANGPT1. 5’- ataagcagcatcagccaacc-3’ (sense) and 5’- aagttggaaggaccacatgc-3’ (anti-sense) for human ANGPT2. 5’- tcatccaagaagccctaacg-3’ (sense) and 5’- cgctttctctgagcattctg-3’ (anti-sense) for human HIF1A. 5’- gaacagcaagagcaggttcc-3’ (sense) and 5’- ggcagcaggtaggactcaaa-3’ (anti-sense) for human HIF2A. 5’- gaaggtgaaggtcggagt-3’ (sense) and 5’- gatggcaacaatatccactt-3’ (anti-sense) for human GAPDH. To examine in vivo Cnr1 levels, RNA was collected from three WT day 4 uterine samples and three different implantation sites from WT and Cnr2^-/- females,respectively, on day 8 of pregnancy. RNAs were collected from mouse primary cell culture in triplicate. In experiments with Huf cells, three samples in each time point were collected to examine CNR1, PRL, and IGFBP1 levels. To study the effects of SR1 on decidualization in Huf cells, five samples were collected from each treatment group. Sample sizes are indicated in the figures.

Statistical analysis

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The number of macrophages are counted using three sections from three different animals. F4/80 positive cells within endometrial domains are quantified using three sections from three WT and three Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females on day 6 of pregnancy. Data were analyzed using t-tests as indicated in figure legends. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. All P values are depicted in the figure legends.

Data availability

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in the manuscript and supporting files.

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Article and author information

Author details

Yingju Li
1. Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States
Contribution
Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation

Contributed equally with
Amanda Dewar

Competing interests
No competing interests declared
Amanda Dewar
1. Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States
Contribution
Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation

Contributed equally with
Yingju Li

Competing interests
No competing interests declared
Yeon Sun Kim
1. Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States
Contribution
Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation

Competing interests
No competing interests declared
Sudhansu K Dey
1. Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States
Contribution
Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Supervision, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Writing - review and editing

For correspondence
sk.dey@cchmc.org

Competing interests
No competing interests declared

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0001-9159-186X
Xiaofei Sun
1. Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States
Contribution
Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Supervision, Investigation, Methodology, Writing - original draft, Project administration, Writing - review and editing

For correspondence
xiaofei.sun@cchmc.org

Competing interests
No competing interests declared

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0001-9601-5423

Funding

National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA006668)

Sudhansu K Dey

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD068524)

Sudhansu K Dey

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD103475)

Sudhansu K Dey

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Acknowledgements

We thank Katie Gerhardt for her efficient editing of the manuscript. This work was supported in parts by NIH grants (HD103475 and HD068524 to SKD).

Copyright

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.

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Yingju Li
Amanda Dewar
Yeon Sun Kim
Sudhansu K Dey
Xiaofei Sun

(2020)

Pregnancy success in mice requires appropriate cannabinoid receptor signaling for primary decidua formation

eLife 9:e61762.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.61762

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Mouse

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Cnr1-/-Cnr2-/- females show normal responses to embryonic stimulation during implantation, but decidual process is compromised.

Cnr1-/-Cnr2-/- females have suboptimal decidualization.

Macrophages are retained around implantation chambers of compromised deciduae in Cnr1-/-Cnr2-/- females.

The formation of the primary decidual zone is compromised in Cnr1-/-Cnr2-/- implantation sites.

Angiogenic factors are misregulated in Cnr1-/-Cnr2-/- and Cnr1-/- PDZ.

CB1 expression in mouse uterine stromal cells increases during decidualization.

CNR1 levels are upregulated in human uterine fibroblasts during in vitro decidualization.

Suppression of CB1 impairs normal Huf cell decidualization and expression of angiogenic factors.

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Yingju Li

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Contributed equally with

Competing interests

Amanda Dewar

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Contributed equally with

Competing interests

Yeon Sun Kim

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Competing interests

Sudhansu K Dey

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For correspondence

Competing interests

Xiaofei Sun

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For correspondence

Competing interests

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Further reading

Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females show normal responses to embryonic stimulation during implantation, but decidual process is compromised.

Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females have suboptimal decidualization.

Macrophages are retained around implantation chambers of compromised deciduae in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- females.

The formation of the primary decidual zone is compromised in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- implantation sites.

Angiogenic factors are misregulated in Cnr1^-/-Cnr2^-/- and Cnr1^-/- PDZ.