Upregulated α-actinin-1 impairs endometrial epithelial cell adhesion by downregulating NEBL in recurrent implantation failure

Poor endometrial receptivity results in embryo implantation failure. Acquisition of endometrial receptivity involves substantial structural alterations in the cytoskeleton and plasma membrane of epithelial cells, which facilitate embryo adhesion. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified that α-actinin-1 (ACTN1) was significantly downregulated in the mid-secretory phase of the endometrium compared with other phases; however, ACTN1 significantly increased in women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). In Ishikawa and human endometrial epithelial cells (HEECs), ACTN1 overexpression significantly decreased NEBL levels, enhanced F-actin fiber levels, and caused a notable impairment in blastocyst adhesion, which mimicked the process of embryo adhesion. However, NEBL overexpression notably restored adhesion. Moreover, NEBL expression was reduced in patients with RIF compared with that in controls. Finally, our data showed that ACTN1 upregulation impaired endometrial receptivity in women with RIF, possibly by regulating NEBL expression and subsequent cell-adhesion capability.