白细胞介素8在着床前小鼠子宫及胚卵的表达

目的:观察着床前小鼠子宫及胚卵白细胞介素8(IL-8)的表达.方法:免疫组织化学显色及图像分析技术,对IL-8蛋白在妊娠1～4 d小鼠子宫及胚卵的表达进行定位及半定量分析;用RT-PCR技术检测妊娠1～4 d小鼠子宫及胚卵IL-8mRNA的表达情况.结果:与未孕小鼠相比,妊娠各天小鼠子宫中IL-8蛋白和mRNA表达明显升高,于妊娠4d表达最强.IL-8蛋白和mRNA均在妊娠2 d(Ⅱ细胞期)的胚卵表达最弱,妊娠4d(胚泡期)的胚卵表达最强.结论:妊娠1～4 d小鼠子宫及胚卵持续表达IL-8蛋白和mRNA,尤其是在着床前表达量升高,提示它们可能参与小鼠胚泡的着床过程.     

围着床期小鼠胚卵L-选择素的表达变化及作用

目的 探讨围着床期小鼠胚卵L-选择素的表达规律及其对胚胎着床的影响.方法 1.分别采用实时荧光定量PCR(FQ-PCR)和免疫荧光组织化学方法检测围着床期小鼠胚卵L-选择素mRNA和蛋白的表达,并用免疫荧光组织化学方法检测L-选择素在细胞的定位;2.用子宫角内抗体干预的方法观察并统计小鼠着床胚胎数.结果 1.随着胚卵分化成熟,L-选择素mRNA和蛋白表达均呈逐渐增加趋势,胚泡期表达最强(P<0.05).L-选择素在单细胞期和4细胞期有少量表达,桑椹胚周边区L-选择素表达显著增强,胚泡滋养层L-选择素表达最强.2.小鼠子宫角实验侧(经抗L-选择素单克隆抗体干预)胚胎着床数较对照侧(经等体积生理盐水干预)明显减少(P<0.05).结论 胚卵可能通过L-选择素信号转导途径及其与子宫内膜的糖蛋白受体结合参与胚胎着床.     

白血病抑制因子在小鼠子宫内膜不同部位的表达研究

目的探讨白血病抑制因子(LIF)在着床窗口期小鼠子宫内膜不同部位的表达。方法运用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫组化技术,分别从mRNA水平和蛋白质水平检测LIF在孕4d小鼠子宫内膜着床位点及着床旁组织表达量及位置的分布。结果LIFmRNA及蛋白在胚泡着床位点较着床旁组织表达明显增高(P<0.05)。免疫组化检测结果显示LIF蛋白表达于子宫内膜间质细胞及腺上皮细胞胞桨。结论在着床窗口期,LIF作用的发挥主要是通过在着床位点高表达而促进胚泡着床、胚胎发育。     

ATF4基因在小鼠胚胎围着床期子宫内膜的表达

目的 探讨转录激活因子4(ATF4)在小鼠胚胎围着床期子宫内膜中的表达规律及在胚胎植入过程中的作用.方法 妊娠0～7d小鼠子宫内膜,用RT-PCR、免疫组织化学法和Western blot分别检测小鼠内膜ATF4 mRNA及蛋白的表达;用子宫角内注射ATF4抗体进行干预.结果 1)妊娠各组小鼠子宫内膜ATF4 mRNA的表达量均显著高于未孕组d0(P ＜0.0S),且随妊娠天数的增加其表达量逐渐增高,到d4达到峰值,之后逐渐下降;2)ATF4蛋白主要在基质细胞胞质表达,其表达规律与mRNA表达规律基本一致.3)子宫角ATF4抗体注射后与对照组相比着床数明显减少.结论 ATF4在小鼠妊娠早期可能参与子宫内膜蜕膜化过程,有利于着床.     

白细胞介素-8在妊娠早期小鼠子宫内膜的表达及对胚泡着床的影响

目的：研究白细胞介素-8（IL-8）在妊娠早期小鼠子宫内膜的表达及其对小鼠胚泡着床的影响。方法：用免疫组化法及图像分析技术对IL-8在妊娠1～6d小鼠子宫内膜的表达进行定位和测定;子宫角注入IL-8抗体,探讨IL-8对胚泡着床的影响。结果：在子宫内膜腔上皮,IL-8主要定位于细胞的游离面,妊娠1d阳性反应最弱,4d表达最强,5d有所下降,6d又开始增强;在子宫内膜腺上皮,妊娠4d表达最弱,5d和6d最强;在子宫内膜的基质细胞,随妊娠天数增加,IL-8的表达逐渐增强。IL-8Ab明显抑制小鼠胚泡着床。结论：IL-8在妊娠早期小鼠子宫内膜持续表达,并参与胚泡的着床调控过程。     

小鼠胚泡植入早期FucT-Ⅶ和sLe(X)寡糖抗原表达

目的探讨妊娠第1～5天(d1～5)小鼠子宫内膜唾液酸化的路易斯寡糖[sLe(X)]合成关键酶α-1,3岩藻糖基转移酶基因(FucT-Ⅶ)的表达和其表面sLe(X)寡糖抗原表达对胚胎植入的影响。方法应用RT-PCR和免疫组化方法检测妊娠第1～5天小鼠子宫内膜FucT-Ⅶ及寡糖抗原的表达规律。用子宫角内注射sLe(X)单克隆抗体的方法检测小鼠胚胎着床数。结果妊娠第1～5天小鼠子宫组织均有FucT-Ⅶ的表达,且在妊娠d4表达更强(P<0.05)。妊娠第1～5天sLe(X)寡糖抗原表达在子宫内膜的腔上皮和腺上皮。单侧子宫角sLe(X)抗体注射后胚胎的着床数量明显较对侧(注射等体积生理盐水)减少。结论在小鼠胚胎着床过程中,FucT-Ⅶ及sLe(X)寡糖抗原可能参与了胚泡的定位、黏附及侵袭过程,在胚泡植入的早期发挥作用。     

细胞因子与着床过程中小鼠子宫内膜细胞凋亡的相关性研究

目的 探讨着床过程中小鼠子宫内膜细胞凋亡的调控机制，以及细胞因子在子宫内膜细胞凋亡发生中的生物学作用。方法 用TUNEL法原位检测着床过程中子宫内膜细胞凋亡状况，用原位杂交和免疫组织化学的方法，检测凋亡相关基因(bcl-2、bax)和细胞因子(EGF、bFGF和TGFβ1)在着床期小鼠子宫内膜中的表达，分析凋亡相关基因、细胞因子与子宫内膜细胞凋亡之间的关系，并在体外培养的子宫内膜细胞中，直接检测了上述因子对bcl-2和bax转录的影响。结果 孕4～5d，凋亡细胞主要分布于子宫内膜表面上皮和腺上皮，与此相对应，上皮细胞TGFβ1和bax表达增加，而bFGF和bCl-2表达减少；孕7～8d，凋亡细胞主要分布于胚泡着床部位周围的蜕膜中，此时胚泡周围的蜕膜中，EGF、bFGF和bcl-2表达明显降低，TGEβ1和bax表达明显增加。体外实验显示，培养基中加入抗EGF或bFGF抗体后，bcl-2／bax比率下降，而加入抗TGFβ-1抗体后，bcl-2／bax比率增加。结论 细胞因子、凋亡相关基因与着床期子宫内膜细胞凋亡密切相关，细胞因子可通过调节bcl-2和bax的表达参与细胞凋亡的调控。     

Expression of Maspin in mouse endometrium during estrus cycle and early pregnancy

目的:初步探讨Maspin基因在动情周期及早孕小鼠子宫内膜的表达规律.方法:采用实时荧光定量PCR和免疫组织化学分别检测动情前期、动情期、动情后期、动情间期及孕2、4、5、7d小鼠子宫内膜Maspin基因mRNA及蛋白的时空表达规律.结果:动情周期中动情期MaspinmRNA和蛋白表达较强,与其他3期相比差异有统计学意义,其他3期表达较弱,无差异.早孕小鼠子宫内膜组织Maspin基因mRNA和蛋白的表达高于未妊娠小鼠,且随着妊娠天数的增加呈逐渐增强的趋势,到妊娠第5天达到最高.结论:Maspin在动情周期及早孕小鼠子宫内膜呈规律性表达,说明其可能在胚泡着床过程中发挥着重要的作用.     

T淋巴细胞侵袭转移诱导蛋白1在小鼠子宫内膜基质细胞-胚泡共培养体系中对胚泡黏附的影响

目的:检测不同浓度T淋巴细胞侵袭转移诱导蛋白1 (Tiaml)抗体下,小鼠着床窗子宫内膜基质细胞内的Tiaml蛋白表达及其对基质细胞-胚泡共培养体系中胚泡黏附的影响,探讨Tiaml对小鼠胚胎着床的影响.方法:提取着床窗小鼠子宫内膜基质细胞并构建基质细胞-胚泡共培养体系;分别用免疫细胞化学和免疫印迹法检测不同浓度抗Tiaml抗体时着床窗基质细胞Tiaml蛋白的表达及其对胚泡黏附的影响.结果:抗体干预后着床窗基质细胞内的Tiaml蛋白表达水平降低;在不同抗体浓度下胚泡黏附率有差异.结论:随Tiaml抗体浓度增加,着床窗小鼠子宫内膜基质细胞Tiaml蛋白表达量及胚泡黏附率降低.表明Tiarnl可能在胚泡植入过程起重要的作用.     

妊娠早期小鼠卵巢、输卵管及子宫内诱导型一氧化氮合酶的分布

目的　了解胚泡着床前后妊娠昆明系小鼠卵巢、输卵管及子宫内诱导型一氧化氮合酶 (inducible ni-tric oxide synthase,i NOS)的分布。　方法　免疫细胞化学 L SAB法。　结果　妊娠 2～ 5 d小鼠的卵巢内 ,黄体细胞上有 i NOS的阳性表达 ;输卵管粘膜上有 i NOS的分布 ,肌层则为阴性 ;妊娠 2、3d的小鼠子宫内 ,阳性标记主要出现在子宫内膜上皮以及子宫内膜中的子宫腺上皮 ,内膜基质细胞为阴性 ;妊娠 4d的子宫内 ,子宫腺及蜕膜部分均有 i-NOS的分布 ,妊娠 5 d时 ,在小鼠胚泡的表面也检测到了 i NOS的存在。　结论　小鼠胚泡着床前后 ,在其卵巢、输卵管及子宫内均有 i NOS的存在 ,提示 i NOS在小鼠胚胎早期发育及着床过程中起作用。     

Characterization of IK cytokine expression in mouse endometrium during early pregnancy and its significance on implantation

The expression of IK cytokine was investigated in the mouse endometrium during early pregnancy (D1-D7 of pregnancy) and pseudopregnancy using real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis, and the effects of IK cytokine on embryo implantation were observed by injection with antisense IK cytokine oligodeoxynucleotides in the uterine horn. Our data showed that the expression of IK cytokine mRNA increased gradually from D1 to D4 of pregnancy and reached a peak level at D4 of pregnancy (P<0.05). Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expression of IK cytokine protein increased gradually from D1 to D5 of pregnancy and reached a peak level at D5 of pregnancy (P<0.05). The expression of IK cytokine in the pseudopregnant uterus was significantly lower compared to that in the normal pregnant uterus and the level of the protein never showed a high peak during the whole pseudopregnancy. The expression of IK cytokine at the implantation site was much stronger than that in the peri-implantation site on Day 5 of pregnancy. After 24 and 48 h of injection with antisense IK cytokine oligodexynucleotides in the uterine horn on D3 of pregnancy (i.e. implantation window), the expression of IK cytokine in the uterus was remarkably inhibited, while the expression of major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) increased and the number of implanted embryos significantly decreased in the site of uterine horns receiving antisense IK cytokine (P<0.05). These results suggested that IK cytokine may play a crucial role in implantation.     

妊娠早期小鼠子宫内膜层粘连蛋白定位、定量及对胚泡植入的作用

目的　研究妊娠早期小鼠子宫内膜层粘连蛋白（ｌａｍ ｉｎｉｎ,ＬＮ）定位和定量变化及其对胚泡着床的作用。方法　应用间接免疫荧光法、免疫组织化学ＡＢＣ技术及图像分析法进行ＬＮ定位和定量测定;利用子宫内注射ＬＮ抗体的方法探讨ＬＮ对小鼠胚泡植入的作用。　结果　动情期及妊娠早期小鼠子宫内膜内源性ＬＮ 在上皮和腺基膜及血管内皮基膜均有表达,并随着植入的发生基膜的ＬＮ 表达减弱,而内膜上皮中ＬＮ免疫染色逐渐增强;外源性ＬＮ 对小鼠胚泡粘附与植入子宫内膜不产生明显影响,层粘连蛋白抗体明显抑制小鼠胚泡着床。　结论　动情期及妊娠早期小鼠子宫内膜的层粘连蛋白主要存在于基膜,胚泡植入期间内膜上皮细胞内ＬＮ 的含量增加;ＬＮ在促进小鼠胚泡粘附与植入子宫内膜过程中起重要作用。     

溶血磷脂酸受体3在小鼠胚胎围着床期子宫内膜的表达及意义

目的 探讨溶血磷脂酸受体3(LPA-R3)nRNA和蛋白在小鼠胚胎着床过程中表达的动态变化. 方法 将78只雌性昆明小鼠随机分为真孕组(36只)、假孕组(36只)和对照组(6只),应用反转录.聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western blotting以及免疫组织化学SP法,检测胚胎围着床期(0～6d)LPA-R3 mRNA和蛋白在小鼠子宫内膜的表达和定位. 结果 LPA-R3主要分布于小鼠子宫内膜腔上皮、腺上皮和部分基质细胞的胞质.LPA-R3 mRNA和蛋白在小鼠胚胎着床过程中,3d时开始上升,4d时达峰值.5d、6d骤然下降至基础水平.假孕组子宫内膜LPA-R3mRNA和蛋白表达水平及变化规律与相应同期真孕组一致. 绪论 LPA-R3可能参与了胚胎的着床和子宫内膜容受性的建立过程.     

Activin receptor expression and induction of apoptosis in rat blastocysts in vitro

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis, a process of normal embryonic development, is enhanced in blastocyst from diabetic rats. Nevertheless, glucose seems not to be the only factor involved. Activin A, a TGF-beta family member, is also increased in maternal serum from diabetic pregnancy. METHODS: Flushing medium, blastocysts and uterine cells were obtained from 5 day old pregnant rats. The presence of activin A in flushing medium was investigated by western blotting. RT-PCR was used to test for the presence of activin betaA subunit mRNA in cultured uterine cells. Blastocysts were stained by immunohistochemistry for activin receptor types IIA and IIB, and chromatin degradation (apoptosis) was investigated by terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling in blastocysts exposed in vitro to activin. RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrate the presence of activin A protein in fluid from rat uterine horns at day 5 of pregnancy, as well as the presence of activin A receptors type IIB in the trophectoderm and inner cell mass and activin A receptor type IIA in trophectoderm cells only. Activin A increases the chromatin degradation level in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Activin A protein was found in fluid from uterine horns, and mRNA expression of betaA activin subunit in cultured uterine cells suggests probable secretion from decidual cells. Moreover, activin A increases specifically the apoptosis level in rat blastocyst in vitro.     

Ultrastructural studies of the temporal relationship between loss of zona pellucida and appearance of blastocyst-induced stromal changes during normal pregnancy in rats

Summary Ultrastructural studies were undertaken to investigate the temporal relationship between loss of the zona pellucida around the blastocyst and the appearance of decidual changes in the endometrial stroma during normal implantation in rats. Blastocyst-free and blastocyst-containing sites of pregnant uterine horns were studied and compared with control sites from contralateral salpingectomized horns and horns of pseudopregnant animals from 24.00 h on Day 4 and onwards. There were no membrane contacts between the blastocyst and the uterine epithelium at 10.00 h on Day 5 and earlier because of an intervening zona pellucida. From 14.00 h onwards, however, such contacts were present and at 18.00 h, the zona pellucida had disappeared and the blastocyst had attached onto the uterine epithelium.The stromal cells of pregnant and control horns were indistinguishable from each other at 24.00 h on Day 4, but from 06.00 h on Day 5 onwards specific changes were noted in the stromal cell nucleoli of the pregnant horns. The results therefore suggest that the first morphological sign of decidualization occurs about 12 h before the Pontamine Blue reaction and is initiated by the blastocyst early on Day 5 while it is still encased by the zona pellucida.Supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council, Project No 12X-70 to Prof. O. Nilsson     

Expression and implications of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-4 in mouse embryo

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP), and MMP-TIMP interactions may contribute to the highly programmed process of embryo implantation. The loss of the delicate MMP-TIMP balance may lead to abnormal implantation. The role of TIMP-4 in mouse implantation has not been reported. This study examined mRNA and protein expression levels of TIMP-4 in the blastocyst and uteri of pregnant mice. We also investigated the effects of a specific TIMP-4 antibody on embryo outgrowth and on the gene and protein expression levels of two gelatinases. High levels of TIMP-4 mRNA and protein were detected in day 3-5 embryos and in the trophoblast cells of mice blastocysts, suggesting that TIMP-4 may be involved in embryo implantation. Furthermore, TIMP-4 antibody promoted blastocyst outgrowth in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on blastocyst adhesion to extracellular matrix. A specific TIMP-4 antibody also increased mRNA and protein expression levels and the enzymatic activities of gelatinase A (MMP-2) and gelatinase B (MMP-9). This study suggests that TIMP-4 may restrict mouse blastocyst outgrowth and embryo implantation by inhibiting the activities of MMP-2 and -9.     

Highly efficient and minimally invasive in-vivo gene transfer to the mouse uterus using haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) envelope vector

The uterus is obviously critical in implantation, development of the fetus and parturition. Endometrial cancer derived from endometrial epithelium is one of the common malignancies in the female reproductive tract. In order to clarify the local mechanisms of reproductive physiology and establish a non-systemic therapeutic strategy for reproductive failure as well as for endometrial cancer, we applied haemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope (HVJ-E) vector to in-vivo gene transfer into the uterine cavity of IVCS mice. Injection of HVJ-E vector into mouse uterine cavity on day 1.5 post coitum (p.c.) introduced a reporter gene approximately 120-fold more efficiently than introduction using the cationic liposome method. The expression of the introduced gene continued for at least 3 days. The plasmid vector was localized in the endometrial epithelium, whereas oligo deoxynucleotides were distributed throughout the epithelium, stromal cells and myometrium. HVJ-E vector did not affect the pregnancy rate, course of pregnancy, litter size, fetal growth in utero or parturition, and did not transfect the exogenous gene to the fetus. These results indicate that gene transfer into the uterus using HVJ-E vector is highly efficient and safe during pregnancy, and results in a well controlled distribution of the exogenous DNA. We believe that this procedure should be widely applicable for investigations of reproductive physiology as well as for methods of local gene therapy in the uterus.     

Maternal Hoxa10 is required for pinopod formation in the development of mouse uterine receptivity to embryo implantation.

Hoxa10 is a homeobox gene that is expressed both during the embryogenesis of the genitourinary tract and in the adult reproductive tract. Maternal Hoxa10 expression is necessary for endometrial receptivity to blastocyst implantation. The mechanism by which Hoxa10 induces endometrial development to a state of receptivity is unknown as HOXA10-deficient endometrium appears histologically normal. We altered the expression of Hoxa10 in the uterus of cycling adult female mice and examined the uterus at the time of implantation by transmission electron microscopy for alterations in epithelial morphology. Pinopods are projections on the surface of the uterine endometrial epithelial cells that develop transiently at the time of endometrial receptivity. Blocking Hoxa10 expression by transfection of Hoxa10 antisense into the cycling mouse uterus before implantation dramatically decreased pinopod number. Constitutively expressing Hoxa10 in the uterus just before the normal time of pinopod formation resulted in increased pinopod number. Therefore, Hoxa10 is necessary for pinopod development. Hox genes have been implicated in both the regulation of cellular proliferation and the determination of developmental fate. Hoxa10 exemplifies this dual role in the uterus by regulating both endometrial stromal cell proliferation and epithelial cell morphogenesis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that maternal Hoxa10 has an essential role in pinopod development and this function of Hoxa10 likely contributes to endometrial receptivity for the purpose of blastocyst implantation.