RESEARCH ARTICLE ARID1A Is Essential for Endometrial Function during Early Pregnancy

AT-rich interactive domain 1A gene (ARID1A) loss is a frequent event in endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinomas. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside the uterus, and 50 % of women with endometriosis are infertile. ARID1A protein levels were significantly lower in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis. However, an under-standing of the physiological effects of ARID1A loss remains quite poor, and the function of Arid1a in the female reproductive tract has remained elusive. In order to understand the role of Arid1a in the uterus, we have generated mice with conditional ablation of Arid1a in the PGR positive cells (Pgrcre/+Arid1af/f; Arid1ad/d). Ovarian function and uterine development of Arid1ad/dmice were normal. However, Arid1ad/dmice were sterile due to defective embryo implantation and decidualization. The epithelial proliferation was significantly increased in Arid1ad/dmice compared to control mice. Enhanced epithelial estrogen activity