Journal Article

MicroRNA Signatures in Endometrial Receptivity—Unlocking Their Role in Embryo Implantation and IVF Success: A Systematic Review

Papahliou, Anthi-Maria, Mazis Kourakos, Dimitris, Voros, Charalampos, Athanasiou, Aikaterini, Zografos, Constantinos G., Daskalakis, Georgios, Varthaliti, Antonia, Vaitsis, Dimitrios, Bananis, Kyriakos, Kondili, Panagiota, Athanasiou, Diamantis, Loutradis, Dimitrios, Daskalaki, Maria Anastasia, Mavrogianni, Despoina, Antsaklis, Panagiotis, Athanasiou, Antonia, Theodora, Marianna

2025

Overview

Background: Endometrial receptivity is crucial for successful embryo implantation in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). MicroRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as important post-transcriptional regulators of endometrial function, although their diagnostic and molecular functions are poorly understood. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 principles and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251001811). We looked at 28 peer-reviewed publications published between 2010 and 2025 that used endometrial tissue, blood, uterine fluid, saliva, and embryo culture medium to study miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs in endometrial receptivity, recurrent implantation failure (RIF), and infertility. Results: MiRNAs like miR-145, miR-30d, miR-223-3p, and miR-125b influence implantation-related pathways such as HOXA10, LIF-STAT3, PI3K-Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin. Dysregulated expression profiles were linked to inadequate decidualization, immunological imbalance, and poor angiogenesis. CeRNA networks that include lncRNAs (e.g., H19 and NEAT1) and circRNAs (e.g., circ_0038383) further regulate miRNA activity. Non-invasive biomarkers derived from plasma, uterine fluid, and embryo media showed high prediction accuracy for implantation outcomes. Conclusions: MiRNA signatures offer a functional and diagnostic blueprint for endometrial receptivity. This systematic review provides a timely and thorough synthesis of the existing literature, with the goal of bridging the gap between molecular discoveries and therapeutic applications. By emphasizing both the mechanistic importance and diagnostic value of certain miRNA signatures, it paves the way for future precision-based techniques in embryo transfer and endometrial assessment in ART.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: 1-Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase / AKT protein / Angiogenesis / assisted reproductive technology (ART) / Biosynthesis / Care and treatment / Cell adhesion & migration / Circular RNA / Cytokines / Cytoplasm / DNA methylation / embryo implantation / Embryo transfer / Embryo transplantation / Embryos / endometrial receptivity / Endometriosis / Endometrium / Enzymes / Extracellular matrix / Failure / Fertilization in vitro / Fibroblasts / Gene expression / Genetic aspects / Health aspects / Immunology / implantation failure / In vitro fertilization / Infertility / Infertility, Female / lncRNAs / Methods / MicroRNA / MicroRNAs / miRNA / Non-coding RNA / Physiological aspects / Post-transcription / Quality management / Reproductive technologies / RNA polymerase / Saliva / Stat3 protein / Systematic Review / Therapeutic applications / Uterus / Wnt protein / Womens health / β-Catenin