Is progesterone-dependent regulation of endometrial cannabinoid receptor type 1 ( CB1-R ) expression disrupted in women with endometriosis and in isolated stromal cells exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin ( TCDD )?
Our studies reveal a role for the anti-inflammatory actions of progesterone in regulating endometrial cannabinoid signaling, which is disrupted in women with endometriosis. We demonstrate for the first time that acute TCDD exposure disrupts cannabinoid signaling in the human endometrium.
We conclude that increased human METCAM/MUC18 expression in ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 cells suppressed tumorigenesis and ascites formation in nude mice, suggesting that human METCAM/MUC18 plays a suppressor role in the progression of ovarian cancer, perhaps by reducing proliferation and angiogenesis.