膜联蛋白A8在小鼠早期妊娠子宫中表达研究

膜联蛋白A8(Annexin A8,ANXA8)是一种磷脂结合蛋白,与炎症反应、癌症的发生以及血管生成有密切联系。本实验旨在利用实时荧光定量PCR、原位杂交与免疫组织化学的方法研究ANXA8 mRNA与蛋白在小鼠早期妊娠和人工蜕膜子宫中的表达。原位杂交结果表明:ANXA8 mRNA在小鼠早期妊娠第1～4天子宫腔上皮和腺上皮有微弱表达,ANXA8 mRNA在妊娠第5、6天的初级蜕膜区与第7、8天的次级蜕膜区表达,并随妊娠进行逐渐增强;人工蜕膜化模型中ANXA8 mRNA表达在蜕膜区。实时荧光定量PCR证明:ANXA8 mRNA的表达量在早期妊娠模型中的第7、8天显著提高,人工蜕膜侧子宫与对照侧相比也显著提高。免疫组织化学结果表明:ANXA8蛋白与ANXA8 mRNA表达规律相似。体外分离培养小鼠子宫基质细胞,并诱导蜕膜化,实时荧光定量PCR结果表明ANXA8随着基质细胞的蜕膜化表达升高。以上体内和体外实验表明,ANXA8在小鼠子宫中的表达具有着床相关特异性,ANXA8参与小鼠子宫蜕膜化过程。     

Expression of Nupr1 mRNA in Mouse Uterus During Early Pregnancy

The test was aimed to study the expression of nuclear protein 1 (Nupr1) mRNA in mouse uterus during early pregnancy.The method of in situ hybridization was used to investigate Nupr1 mRNA expression in animal models that included early pregnancy,pseudopregnancy,delayed implantation and activation,artificial decidualization and hormonal treatments.The relative expression level of Nupr1 mRNA was detected in early pregnancy and pseudopregnancy using Real-time PCR.During mouse early pregnancy,the signal of Nupr1 mRNA was detected in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium during the 1st to 4th day and in the decidua area during the 5th to 8th day.Nupr1 mRNA was mainly expressed in the luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of mose uterus on the 1st to 5th day of pseudopregnancy.The signal was detected in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the mouse uterus in the delayed implantation,which was similar to the results of early pregnancy on the 4th day.The signal was detected in decidua in the model of delayed activation,which was similar to the results of early pregnancy on the 5th day.The expression of Nupr1 mRNA in the model of artificial decidualization was detected in decidua area.In the control of artificial decidualization the slight signal appeared in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the mouse uterus.After treated with oestrogen (E₂) the signal appeared in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the mouse uterus,and the signal was enhanced.After treated with both of E₂ and progesterone (P₄), the expression of the signal was not changed significantly.Real-time PCR result showed that the relative expression on the 2nd day was higher than other days in early pregnancy and pseudopregnancy.The results indicated that the expression of Nupr1 mRNA in mouse uterus was related to the process of mouse early pregnancy.The expression of signal in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the mouse uterus might be regulated by hormones.Nupr1 mRNA expression in uterine stroma was associated with decidualization and active blastocysts.     

Wnt/β-连环蛋白信号通路在哺乳动物子宫发育中的调控作用及其机制

机体内生理活动程序化的有序运行均依赖于不同信号传导通路之间的相互协调,其中Wnt(名称来源于果蝇无翅基因Wingless和小鼠致癌基因int-1)信号通路受到学者们的广泛关注,已经成为分子生物学和细胞生物学领域的研究热点。本文研究了Wnt/β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)信号通路在哺乳动物子宫发育中的调控作用及其机制,综述了糖原合酶激酶-3β(GSK-3β)、结肠腺瘤样息肉基因(APC)、支架蛋白(Axin)和成骨细胞抑制因子(Dkk)对Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的调控机制及Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的核内激活,旨在进一步揭示子宫内调节机制,并为子宫疾病的治疗提供借鉴。     

Embryo implantation is blocked by intraperitoneal injection with anti-LIF antibody in mice

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is essential for embryo implantation in mice and plays an important role in other mammals including humans. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections with anti-LIF antibody (7.5 μg/g body weight, 3 times) between D3 (D1 = day of vaginal plug detection) and D4 effectively blocked embryo implantation; complete inhibition was achieved in C57BL/6J mice, and implantation was dramatically reduced in ICR mice (reduced to 27%). Normal rabbit IgG used as the control did not disturb embryo implantation. Anti-LIF antibody was localized not only in the stroma, but also in the luminal epithelium and the glandular lumen after i.p. injections. Growth-arrested blastocysts were recovered from the uterus without any implantation sites in both strains. Blastocysts made contact with the LE on the antimesometrial side; however, uterine stromal cells did not undergo secondary decidual reaction, and the uterine lumen was open, even at D7. Several regions of decidualization in ICR mice treated with anti-LIF antibody were smaller than those of the control, and development of blastocysts was delayed. The expression of LIF-regulated genes, such as immune-responsive gene-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, was significantly decreased in C57BL/6J mice treated with anti-LIF antibody compared with the control, but not in ICR mice. The present study demonstrated that simple ip injections of an antibody are sufficient to block one of the important factors involved in embryo implantation in mice, and this method should also be easily applicable to the investigation of other factors involved in implantation.     

Expression and Hormonal Regulation of Hoxa10 in Canine Uterus During the Peri-implantation Period

Hoxa10, a homeobox gene, is necessary for endometrial receptivity to blastocyst implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression of Hoxa10 in canine uterus during early pregnancy and its regulation under different conditions by in situ hybridization. Hoxa10 mRNA was mainly localized in glandular epithelium and myometrium in canine uterus. There was a low level of Hoxa10 expression in the glandular epithelium on days 6, 12 and 17 of pregnancy. On day 20 of pregnancy when embryo implanted, Hoxa10 mRNA was highly expressed in the glandular epithelium surrounding the embryo, but not in the luminal epithelium. The expression of Hoxa10 mRNA gradually declined from day 23 and reached a low level on day 28. In the myometrium, a low level of Hoxa10 mRNA signal was seen on days 6, 12 and 17 of pregnancy and reached a high level on day 20 of pregnancy. During the estrous cycle, a high level of Hoxa10 mRNA expression was seen in the estrous uterus. Either estrogen or progesterone significantly induced the expression of Hoxa10 mRNA in the ovariectomized canine uterus. These results suggest that Hoxa10 expression is closely related to canine embryo implantation and upregulated by estrogen and progesterone.     

Expression and Hormonal Regulation of IL-11Rα in Canine Uterus During Early Pregnancy

Embryo implantation is critical for the successful establishment of pregnancy. Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is essential for adequate decidualization in the mouse and human via binding to the specific IL-11 receptor α (IL-11Rα). But the expression and regulation of IL-11 and IL-11Rα in the canine endometrium remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression of IL-11Rα in canine uterus during early pregnancy and its regulation under different conditions by in situ hybridization. Interleukin-11Rα mRNA was mainly localized in glandular epithelium in canine uterus. There was a low level of IL-11Rα expression in the glandular epithelium on days 6, 12 and 17 of pregnancy. On day 20 of pregnancy when embryo implanted, IL-11Rα mRNA was highly expressed in the glandular epithelium surrounding the embryo, but not in the luminal epithelium and stroma. On day 23 of pregnancy, the expression of IL-11Rα mRNA maintained a constant level compared with the expression of day 20 and increased on day 28 of pregnancy. During the oestrous cycle, a high level of IL-11Rα mRNA expression was seen in the oestrous uterus. Progesterone slightly induced the expression of IL-11Rα mRNA in the ovariectomized canine uterus. These results suggest that IL-11Rα expression is closely related to canine implantation and up-regulated by progesterone.     

FZD5在山羊妊娠早期的表达及激素调控

实验旨在研究雌性山羊早期妊娠和发情周期中 Frizzled-5(FZD5)蛋白在子宫中的表达,以及类固醇激素对 FZD5 的表达调控。选取发情周期、早期妊娠及雌激素(50 μg/mL)与孕酮(50 ng/mL)处理山羊的子宫组织,采用免疫组织化学染色、荧光定量 PCR和 Western blot检测 FZD5在山羊子宫中的表达规律。结果表明:FZD5 蛋白在山羊妊娠早期的子宫腔上皮和腺上皮中表达;FZD5 mRNA 和蛋白在胚胎与子宫的黏附前(D6)和黏附中(D16)表达较高,在黏附后(D19)和胎盘形成早期(D25)呈下降趋势;孕酮处理导致FZD5表达降低,表明山羊子宫中孕酮下调 FZD5的表达。研究提示FZD5可能在山羊胚胎着床过程中发挥作用。     

Research Progress on the Function of Wnt Signaling Pathway in the Development of Bovine Placenta

Placenta is the link between the fetus and the maternal body during pregnancy.Therefore, the pregnancy outcome of the key was related by the normal development of the placenta.Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of embryo and placenta formation, several Wnt pathways which have been clear study and the formation process of early embryo and placenta in cattle are reviewed in this article,the early expression of the Wnt pathway components in the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cattle and normal insemination of bovine embryos is introduced. The expression of DKK-1 and Fzd4 have a special role in the formation and development of early placenta, but its molecular mechanism is not clear. In addition, the Wnt signaling pathway is activated by inhibiting the MAP2K and GSK3, led to the inner cell mass and trophoblast cell number increased and blastocyst development speed. But it is similar to the extent of phosphorylation of E-cadherin and beta-catenin protein in the early placenta of cows with SCNT and normal insemination, therefore, the role of Wnt signaling pathway in the early formation and development of bovine placenta should be further understood and studied.     

Effect of administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha on embryo recovery from the uterus on day 5 after ovulation in mares

Ten mares were used to investigate the effect of administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha on uterine tubal motility, as reflected by embryo recovery from the uterus 5 days after ovulation (day 0). Mares were assigned to 3 groups: group A, uterine flush for embryo recovery on day 7; group B, uterine flush for embryo recovery on day 5; and group C, uterine flush for embryo recovery on day 5, after treatment with prostaglandin F2 alpha (10 mg, IM) on day 3. Each mare was assigned to each group once. Embryo recovery rates for the 3 groups were: A, 6 of 10; B, 2 of 8; and C, 0 of 10. The embryo recovery rate for group C was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that for group A. Embryo recovery rate for group B was not significantly different from group A or group C. Administration of prostaglandin on day 3 did not increase embryo recovery rate from the uterus on day 5. Additionally, the 25% embryo recovery rate (2 of 8) for group B mares suggested an earlier time for entry of the embryo into the uterus than has previously been reported.     

Asynchronous Embryo Transfer in Sheep:Lack of Survival in Progestinized Recipient Ewes

Synchronization of development between the embryo and uterus is required for successful pregnancy establishment.Transfer of early embryos requires synchrony with the recipient uterus of 2 days or less in sheep,because asynchrony of 3 days or more results in failure of pregnancy recognition signaling for maintenance of corpus luteum (CL) and progesterone (P4) production and/or uterine support of the embryo.The objective was to determine if P4 treatment of recipient ewes would obviate the need for pregnancy recognition signaling and maintain a uterine environment conducive to embryo survival after asynchronous transfer,thereby establishing a universal recipient.Embryos (morulae/blastocysts) were recovered on day 6 from super-ovulated donor ewes.Recipient ewes received 25 mg P4 daily from day 6 post-estrus until 60 days after embryo transfer.Embryos were transferred into recipients on day 6,9,12,18,or 30 post-estrus.The pregnancy rate on day 22 post-transfer was 60% for synchronous transfers to day 6 ewes,44% and 22% for asynchronous transfers to day 9 and 12 ewes,and 0% for asynchronous transfers to day 18 and 30 ewes.On day 39 post-transfer,pregnancy rates remained 60% for day 6 ewes,33% for day 9 ewes,and 0% for day 12,18,and 30 ewes.The P4 treatment did extend the window of uterine receptivity to early embryos in ewes by one day,but did not create a universal recipient.Available results support the idea that a window of uterine receptivity to the conceptus exists in sheep that is independent of pregnancy recognition signaling.     

Wnt信号通路在牛胎盘发育过程中的功能研究进展

胎盘是哺乳动物在妊娠期间胎儿和母体之间的联系枢纽,因此,胎盘发育是否正常在妊娠中起着关键的作用。Wnt信号通路在胚胎发育和胎盘形成的过程中有着重要的作用,作者通过回顾几条已经研究较为清楚的Wnt信号通路和牛早期胚胎和胎盘的形成过程,介绍了Wnt信号通路的组成部分在体细胞核移植（somatic cell nuclear transfer,SCNT）牛和正常人工授精的牛的胚胎早期表达,提出了DKK-1和Fzd4的表达对于早期胎盘形成和发育有特殊的作用。此外,抑制MAP2K和GSK3信号可以激活Wnt信号通路,增加内细胞团和滋养层细胞的数量,加速囊胚的发育。SCNT牛和正常人工授精的牛早期胎盘中E-cadherin和β-catenin蛋白的磷酸化程度相似,所以对于Wnt信号通路在牛胎盘的早期形成和发育中的作用还需进一步的了解和研究。     

Expression of uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1) in the mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period

Rat uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1) mRNA is expressed in the uterus during the peri-implantation period, and its mRNA expression in uterine epithelial cells is highest on day 5 of pregnancy. On the other hand, since changes in USAG-1 mRNA expression in the mouse uterus are not seen during the estrous cycle, USAG-1 expression might be specifically regulated by embryonic factors rather than by the maternal environment. However, the expression pattern and function of USAG-1 in the mouse uterus have not been determined. Thus, we examined the tissue-specific USAG-1 mRNA expression in the uteri of ICR mice during peri-implantation using real-time quantitative PCR. Uterine tissues, such as the myometrium, luminal epithelium, and stroma, were collected by laser capture microdissection at 3.5-6.5 dpc. USAG-1 mRNA was expressed in the uteri of pregnant mice from 3.5 dpc to 6.5 dpc, and the highest level of expression was seen at 4.5 dpc (P<0.01). Significantly high USAG-1 mRNA expression was detected in the luminal epithelium at 4.5 dpc (P<0.05). The stroma and myometrium exhibited unchanged expression levels of USAG-1 mRNA at 3.5-5.5 dpc. USAG-1 mRNA was undetectable in blastocysts and implanting embryos. Expression of USAG-1 mRNA appears to be associated with blastocyst implantation to the luminal epithelium, suggesting that physiological or biochemical contact of the blastocyst to the uterus is required for USAG-1 expression.     

Effect of administration of phenylbutazone or progesterone on recovery of embryos from the uterus of mares 5 days after ovulation.

Twelve horse mares were used to investigate the effect of phenylbutazone or progesterone administration on uterine tubal motility, as reflected by embryo recovery from the uterus on day 5 after ovulation. Four treatment groups were used: group A (controls), in which uterine flush was performed 7 to 11 days after ovulation; group B (5-day controls), in which uterine flush was performed 5 days after ovulation; group C, in which uterine flush was performed 5 days after ovulation following administration of phenylbutazone (2 g, IV) on day 3; and group D, in which uterine flush was performed 5 days after ovulation following administration of progesterone in oil (250 mg, IM) on days 0, 1, and 2. Each mare was randomly assigned to each group once. Embryo recovery for each group was: group A, 13 embryos from 12 mares; group B, 3 embryos from 12 mares; group C, 4 embryos from 11 mares; and group D, 1 embryo from 11 mares. Recovery of embryos on day 5 in 3 of 12 nontreated mares indicated that equine embryos may enter the uterus before day 6. Neither treatment increased embryo recovery from the uterus on day 5 over that from the uterus of the 5-day controls.     

Expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta in the uterus and vagina of immature rats treated with 17-ethinyl estradiol

The action of estrogen on target organs has been actively studied with the discovery of estrogen receptor (ER) beta. This study was carried out to examine the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta in the uterus and the vagina of immature Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 17-ethinyl estradiol (EE). Twenty days old rats were subcutaneously treated with EE at the doses of 0 (vehicle control), 0.03, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and 10.0 microg/kg/day for three consecutive days. The treatment of EE at the doses of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 microg/kg/day significantly increased the weights of the uterus and vagina of rats (p<0.01) and retained fluid in the uterus of rats. At the high doses of 3.0 and 10.0 microg/kg/day, the treatment of EE caused an increase in the uterine height, hypertrophy, and a decrease in the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium. The treatment of EE at the doses of 3.0 and 10.0 microg/kg/day also caused cornification and a decrease in the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta in the vaginal epithelium. These results suggest that the EE treatment decrease the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta in the uterus and vagina of immature rats and that may be associated with the morphological changes such as increase in the uterine height, hypertrophy of the uterine epithelium, and cornification of the vagina.     

Properties of the feline tumour suppressor reduced expression in immortalized cells (REIC/Dkk‐3)

Reduced expression in immortalized cells (REIC/Dkk‐3), a member of the human Dickkopf (Dkk) family, is a growth suppressor in human and canine mammary tumours. Mammary gland tumours are common neoplasms with high malignancy in female cats. The purpose of this study was to clone the feline REIC/Dkk‐3 homolog, investigate its expression in cell lines established from feline mammary gland tumours, and test its tumour suppressor function. Western blot analysis revealed that expression of the REIC/Dkk‐3 protein was reduced in feline mammary carcinoma cell lines. Forced expression of REIC/Dkk‐3 induced apoptosis in feline mammary tumour cell lines. These results demonstrate that REIC/Dkk‐3 expression, which is downregulated in feline mammary tumour cell lines, results in the induction of apoptosis in these cells. Our findings suggest that feline REIC/Dkk‐3 represents a potential molecular target for the development of therapies against feline mammary cancers.     

猪子宫腔液外泌体来源的TIMP2蛋白对胚胎附植的影响

旨在研究猪子宫腔液外泌体来源的TIMP2蛋白对妊娠早期胚胎附植的影响.本研究采用超速离心法分离妊娠第9天(n=3)和第12天(n=3)大白猪子宫腔液外泌体,利用Western blot(WB)检测外泌体中TIMP2蛋白的变化,并通过免疫组化试验研究TIMP2蛋白在子宫中的表达定位.进一步用外泌体与猪胚胎滋养层细胞(po...     

Analysis of integrins and vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms mRNA expression in the canine uterus during perimplantation period

Integrins are the major receptors within the extracellular matrix (ECM) that mediate several functions connected with cell life and metabolism, such as cell adhesion, migration, cytoskeletal organization, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. A vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important angiogenic factors. It has been suggested that the expression of this gene may play crucial physiological roles in reproductive organs. All investigated endometrial tissues were isolated on day 10-12 after mating. Control bitches, used in this study, were in metestrus, which was determined according to the vaginal cytology and progesterone level in blood. Early pregnancy was verified by flushing the uterine horns with PBS. Total RNA was isolated from the bitches endometrium by means of the Chomczyński and Sacchi method, treated by DNase I, and reverse-transcribed into cDNA. A quantitative analysis of integrins alpha2b, beta2 and beta3, VEGF 164, 182 and 188 cDNA was performed by RT-PCR. In results we have shown an increased expression of all investigated genes (integrins alpha2b, beta2 and beta3, VEGF 164, 182, and 188) in pregnant bitches uterus as compared to non-pregnant females (P < 0.001). Our results indicated that the expression of genes encoding integrins and vascular endothelial growth factors is different in relation to the time of the embryo implantation and it is increased in the first period of this process. This may be associated with the induction of specific mechanisms responsible for receptivity of uterus following the embryo attachment. In addition, all of investigated genes are up-regulated in a pregnancy-specific manner and the increased expression of these genes may regulate the uterus function during the implantation of canine embryos.     

Vascular Endothelial (VEGF) and Epithelial Growth Factor (EGF) as Well as Platelet‐Activating Factor (PAF) and Receptors are Expressed in the Early Pregnant Canine Uterus

The aim of this study was to investigate the course of expression of platelet‐activating factor (PAF), PAF‐receptor (PAF‐R), epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF‐R, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF‐R1 and VEGF‐R2 in uterine tissue during canine pregnancy. For this purpose, 20 bitches were ovariohysterectomized at days 10–12 (n = 10), 18–25 (n = 5) and 28–45 (n = 5) days after mating, respectively. The pre‐implantation group was proven pregnant by embryo flushing of the uterus after the operation, the others by sonography. Five embryo negative, that is, non‐pregnant, bitches in diestrus (day 10–12) served as controls. Tissue samples from the uterus (placentation sites and horn width, respectively) were excised and snap‐frozen in liquid nitrogen after embedding in Tissue Tec^®. Extraction of mRNA for RT‐PCR was performed with Tri‐Reagent. In the embryos, mRNA from all factors except VEGF was detected. In the course of pregnancy, significantly higher expression of PAF and PAFR as well as VEGF and VEGFR2 during the pre‐implantation stage than in all other stages and a strong upregulation of EGF during implantation were characteristic. The course of EGF was in diametrical opposition to the course of the receptor. These results point towards an increased demand for VEGF, EGF and PAF during the earliest stages of canine pregnancy.     

Uterine biology in pigs and sheep

There is a dialogue between the developing conceptus (embryo-fetus and associated placental membranes) and maternal uterus which must be established during the peri-implantation period for pregnancy recognition signaling, implantation, regulation of gene expression by uterine epithelial and stromal cells, placentation and exchange of nutrients and gases. The uterus provide a microenvironment in which molecules secreted by uterine epithelia or transported into the uterine lumen represent histotroph required for growth and development of the conceptus and receptivity of the uterus to implantation. Pregnancy recognition signaling mechanisms sustain the functional lifespan of the corpora lutea (CL) which produce progesterone, the hormone of pregnancy essential for uterine functions that support implantation and placentation required for a successful outcome of pregnancy. It is within the peri-implantation period that most embryonic deaths occur due to deficiencies attributed to uterine functions or failure of the conceptus to develop appropriately, signal pregnancy recognition and/or undergo implantation and placentation. With proper placentation, the fetal fluids and fetal membranes each have unique functions to ensure hematotrophic and histotrophic nutrition in support of growth and development of the fetus. The endocrine status of the pregnant female and her nutritional status are critical for successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. This review addresses the complexity of key mechanisms that are characteristic of successful reproduction in sheep and pigs and gaps in knowledge that must be the subject of research in order to enhance fertility and reproductive health of livestock species.