Progesterone-independent induction of decidualization of endometrial stromal cells of patients with and without endometriosis

Study question: Can decidualization be induced in endometrial stromal cells of endometriosis patients independent from the progesterone receptor pathway? Methods: Endometrium of patients with and without endometriosis was obtained from surgical treatments at the University Hospital of Duesseldorf. Endometrial progesterone receptor status was determined by immunohistochemistry and analyzed semi-quantitatively. Endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were isolated from all endometria by combined enzymatic and mechanical treatment. Stromal cells were cultured in 6-well plates and treated at confluence with progesterone (0…