Defining the impact of androgens on uterine immune cell function during endometrial tissue repair

The endometrium must repair following menstruation to ensure healthy reproductive function. Endometrial repair requires coordinated action of both hormonal and inflammatory cues and imbalance of these signals is associated with reproductive health disorders. Androgens disrupt repair processes and are unbalanced in a number of disease contexts. Their impact on uterine immune cells populations is poorly understood.

This project will investigate the impact of androgens on uterine immune cell function during endometrial repair. This will be assessed by performing phenotypic and transcriptomic characterisation of uterine immune cells using a mouse model of endometrial repair combined with genetic and pharmacologic manipulation of androgen signalling. These insights will be supported by translational studies assessing expression of phenotypic markers of immune dysfunction identified by mouse studies in human endometrial tissues. Collectively, these studies will provide unique insights into the mechanisms that contribute to dysregulated endometrial repair and provide new opportunities for future therapeutic targeting.