Article Elevated high-mannose N-glycans hamper endometrial decidualization

Decidualization of endometrial stromal cells is a hallmark of endometrial receptivity for embryo implantation, and dysfunctional decidualization is associated with pregnancy failure. Protein glycosylation is an important posttranslational modification that affects the structure and function of glycoproteins. Our results showed that high-mannose epitopes were elevated in the decidual tissues of miscarriage patients compared with early pregnant women by Lectin microarray. Furthermore, the level of mannosyl-oligosac-charide alpha-1,2 mannosidase IA (MAN1A1), a key enzyme for high-mannose glycan biosynthesis, was decreased in the decidual tissues of miscarriage patients. Screening of lncRNAs showed that lncNEAT1 level was increased in the serum and decidua of miscarriage patients, and negatively correlated with MAN1A1 expression. The results also revealed that specific binding of lncNEAT1 with nucleophosmin (NPM1)-SP1 transcription complex inhibited MAN1A1 expression and hampered endometrial decidualiza-tion and embryo implantation potential. The study suggests the new insights into the function of high-mannose glycans/MAN1A1 modification during endometrial decidualization.

Automated summary

Protein glycosylation plays an important role in endometrial decidualization, and dysregulation of high-mannose glycan biosynthesis is associated with pregnancy failure. The lncRNA lncNEAT1 inhibits the expression of MAN1A1, a key enzyme in high-mannose glycan biosynthesis, through its interaction with the nucleophosmin-SP1 transcription complex, resulting in impaired endometrial decidualization and embryo implantation potential.