A human endometrium-on-chip platform for functional assessment of luminal epithelial receptivity

Successful embryo implantation requires timely acquisition of endometrial receptivity, yet the epithelial mechanisms governing this transition remain poorly understood and difficult to study in humans. Current clinical assessments rely largely on transcriptomic markers, despite limited evidence that these predict functional implantation outcomes. Here, we present a human endometrium-on-chip model that enables controlled hormonal priming and quantitative measurement of blastoid attachment to patient-derived luminal epithelium. We show that hormonally primed epithelial monolayers maintain attachment competence across extended progesterone exposure, indicating a sustained permissive state rather than a sharply defined window of implantation. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals a continuous maturation trajectory that is decoupled from functional adhesion. The model further recapitulates localized epithelial remodeling at blastoid contact sites. Together, this system provides a mechanistic framework to interrogate epithelial determinants of implantation, challenges marker-based definitions of receptivity, and offers a foundation for future diagnostic and personalized applications in medically assisted reproduction.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cell Reports
Published
2026-05-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117349
Primary Topic
Reproductive System and Pregnancy
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A human endometrium-on-chip platform for functional assessment of luminal epithelial receptivity

Barry Jutten, W. Voncken, Andrea Romano, Bert Delvoux et al.
Cell Reports
Reproductive System and Pregnancy
article

A human endometrium-on-chip platform for functional assessment of luminal epithelial receptivity

Barry Jutten, W. Voncken, Andrea Romano, Bert Delvoux, Stefan Giselbrecht, Aslı Ak, Louise Hosty, Ron van Golde, Erik Vrij, Whitney van de Vin, Linda Stevens Brentjens, Daniel Carvalho, Dorian Luijkx
article en

Abstract

Successful embryo implantation requires timely acquisition of endometrial receptivity, yet the epithelial mechanisms governing this transition remain poorly understood and difficult to study in humans. Current clinical assessments rely largely on transcriptomic markers, despite limited evidence that these predict functional implantation outcomes. Here, we present a human endometrium-on-chip model that enables controlled hormonal priming and quantitative measurement of blastoid attachment to patient-derived luminal epithelium. We show that hormonally primed epithelial monolayers maintain attachment competence across extended progesterone exposure, indicating a sustained permissive state rather than a sharply defined window of implantation. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals a continuous maturation trajectory that is decoupled from functional adhesion. The model further recapitulates localized epithelial remodeling at blastoid contact sites. Together, this system provides a mechanistic framework to interrogate epithelial determinants of implantation, challenges marker-based definitions of receptivity, and offers a foundation for future diagnostic and personalized applications in medically assisted reproduction.

Cell ReportsVol. 45(5)
Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL), Maastricht University (NL)
Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum, Stichting De Weijerhorst, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Reproductive System and Pregnancy
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A human endometrium-on-chip platform for functional assessment of luminal epithelial receptivity — Barry Jutten, W. Voncken, et al. · Cell Reports (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS