作为转录因子，Snail参与调控多种生物学过程，尤其在细胞的上皮-间充质两种状态转换的过程中发挥重要作用（EMT或MET）。我们已报道Snail在早期妊娠子宫中具有时空特异性的表达定位，但其在着床及蜕膜化过程中的功能仍不清楚。子宫内膜是个动态变化的组织，有研究报道，在子宫内膜的重建过程中，基质细胞通过MET参与上皮细胞的重建，在子宫内膜异位症的发病过程中，可能发生MET及EMT样的变化。但还不清楚Snail是否参与了内膜重建及内异症的调节。本课题将利用Snail子宫内条件敲除鼠等模型，研究Snail敲除鼠的着床、蜕膜化是否受到影响，以及Snail在内膜重建、子宫内膜异位症中的作用及调控机制。通过研究，阐述Snail调控胚胎着床的作用及机制，初步探讨Snail与内膜重建、内异症的相关性，以及将其作为治疗靶点的可能性。项目研究结果将对临床上不育及相关疾病治疗手段的选择具有重要的价值。

Snail is a critical transcription factor of multiple biological processes, especially during the interconversion between epithelial and mesenchymal cells transition (EMT or MET). Endometrium is dynamic during menstrual/estrus cycle or pregnancy. It's reported that Snail shows temporally and spatially-specific expression pattern during early pregnancy, however its functions during implantation and decidualization are still not completely defined. During the processes of endometrium regeneration, the epithelial tissue regeneration is accomplished by MET. In the aspects of endometriosis, MET and EMT might be involved. Whether Snail is involved in these processes is still not clear. This project will utilize uterus conditional Snail knockout mice to study the following aspects: whether implantation and decidualization fails in Snail cKO mice; whether Snail involves in the processes of endometrium regeneration or endometriosis The results will reveal the scientific basis for the function and mechanism of Snail during embryo implantation; present deeper insight regarding the relationship between Snail and endometrial regeneration and endometriosis, and the possibility of Snail as a target. The information could have important diagnostic and therapy value to inform clinical infertility and related diseases.