Cytokine components and mucosal immunity in the oviduct of Xenopus laevis (amphibia, pipidae) |
| |
Authors: | Jantra Silke Paulesu Luana Lo Valvo Mario Lillo Francesco Ietta Francesca Avanzati Anna Maria Romagnoli Roberta Bechi Nicoletta Brizzi Rossana |
| |
Affiliation: | a Department of Physiology, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 53100 Siena, Italy b Department of Environmental Biology and Biodiversity, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy c Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 53100 Siena, Italy d Department of Evolutionary Biology “Leo Pardi”, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 Florence, Italy |
| |
Abstract: | Most studies on the mucosal immunity in female reproductive tissues have been performed in mammals. In all species, apart from their reproductive strategies, immunity in the genital mucosa is required to defend the host against luminal pathogens.In this study we investigated the role of the innate immunity of the oviductal mucosa of Xenopus laevis, an amphibian characterized by external fertilization. In particular we examined the expression and localization of Interleukin-1β (IL1B), Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL1R1) in different oviductal portions including an upper glandular region, an intermediate and a lower aglandular region (the ovisac). Tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot using polyclonal antibodies against human molecules.IL1B, MIF and IL1R1 were all shown in the three oviductal regions examined, albeit with a general increase towards the external environment. A substantial difference among the cytokine components was also observed mainly in the epithelium of the glandular and intermediate regions. Specifically, all three molecules were expressed by the luminal ciliated cells while only IL1R1 was present in the unciliated cells at the bottom of the epithelial ingrowths. The expression of IL1R1 in these cells appeared as a continuous layer separating the epithelium from the underlying tissues.While supporting the role of the innate immune system for host’s defense against pathogens, the peculiar distribution of the cytokine components in the oviduct of X. laevis suggests novel immunologic strategies useful to assure gland secretion essential for egg formation and fertilization. |
| |
Keywords: | Female reproductive tissues Interleukin-1 Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 Macrophage migration inhibitory factor Xenopus laevis |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|