Decidualization of the endometrial stroma is a precondition for successful establishment of
pregnancy. While the local molecular mechanisms driving decidualization are still largely
unknown, a number of autocrine/paracrine factors have been identified as differentiation
factors in this process. These include the cytokines, interleukin 11, activin A and monoclonal
non-specific suppressor factor β (MNSFβ). Furthermore, locally produced proteases,
including proprotein convertase 6 and matrix metalloproteinases, enable expansion of the …