Speaker
Description
Cell polarity, specifically apico-basal polarity, is defined by the asymmetry of internal cell proteins and structures between the basolateral region of the cell, the region in contact with the basal membrane and cell neighbours, and the apical region, which faces the lumen. The establishment and robust maintenance of apico-basal polarity in epithelial cells is critical to healthy function of the epithelial layer. However, uniquely, within the endometrial epithelium (the internal lining of the uterus), polarity is also lost over the course of the menstrual cycle. Dysregulation of this polarity loss is hypothesised to be a possible cause of infertility, as it can prohibit embryo implantation \cite{whitby20}.
In this talk, we will describe our reaction-diffusion model of cell polarity proteins and complexes within an epithelial cell. This model builds on a previous model of cell polarity establishment in a C. Elegans zygote \cite{goehring11}. We will show that the model reproduces spatial profiles of polarity proteins and complexes that are characteristic of the establishment, maintenance, and loss phases of the endometrial cell polarity cycle. These profiles emerge when we simulate the observed changes in cell polarity protein levels over the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle from the literature \cite{whitby18}. Using this model, we can hypothesise potential dysfunctions that could lead to dysregulation of polarity loss, and consequently issues with implantation.
Bibliography
@article{whitby20,
title = {Alterations in {{Epithelial Cell Polarity During Endometrial Receptivity}}: {{A Systematic Review}}},
shorttitle = {Alterations in {{Epithelial Cell Polarity During Endometrial Receptivity}}},
author = {Whitby, Sarah and Zhou, Wei and Dimitriadis, Evdokia},
year = 2020,
journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology},
volume = {11},
pages = {596324},
issn = {1664-2392},
doi = {10.3389/fendo.2020.596324},
urldate = {2023-10-19}
}
@article{goehring11,
title = {Polarization of {{PAR Proteins}} by {{Advective Triggering}} of a {{Pattern-Forming System}}},
author = {Goehring, Nathan W. and Trong, Philipp Khuc and Bois, Justin S. and Chowdhury, Debanjan and Nicola, Ernesto M. and Hyman, Anthony A. and Grill, Stephan W.},
year = 2011,
month = nov,
journal = {Science},
volume = {334},
number = {6059},
pages = {1137--1141},
publisher = {American Association for the Advancement of Science},
doi = {10.1126/science.1208619},
urldate = {2023-12-19}
}
@article{whitby18,
title = {The {{Endometrial Polarity Paradox}}: {{Differential Regulation}} of {{Polarity Within Secretory-Phase Human Endometrium}}},
shorttitle = {The {{Endometrial Polarity Paradox}}},
author = {Whitby, Sarah and Salamonsen, Lois A and Evans, Jemma},
year = 2018,
month = jan,
journal = {Endocrinology},
volume = {159},
number = {1},
pages = {506--518},
issn = {0013-7227},
doi = {10.1210/en.2016-1877},
urldate = {2023-12-05}
}
