scholarly journals 227.An inhibitor of leukemia inhibitory factor signalling blocks embryo implantation in the mouse

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
E. Dimitriadis ◽  
C. Stoikos ◽  
M. Baca ◽  
W. Fairlie ◽  
A. D. Uboldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Uterine Horn ◽  
Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Luminal Epithelium ◽  
Pregnant Uterus ◽  
Implantation Sites ◽  
Post Implantation

Embryo implantation is a critical step in the establishment of pregnancy. Endometrial leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is essential for embryo implantation in the mouse (1). Uterine LIF is expressed in the luminal epithelium on Day 3 of pregnancy (D3) (D0�=�day of plug detection) and signals via activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 3 (2). We examined the effect of a novel LIF signalling inhibitor on the phosphorylation (p) of Stat3 during early pregnancy and on embryo implantation in the mouse. We injected LIF inhibitor into one uterine horn and PBS into the other uterine horn of the mouse at D3 and examined the effect on pStat3 immunostaining in the luminal epithelium between 30 and 360�min later. We found no immunoreactive pStat3 in luminal epithelium following treatment with LIF inhibitor at 60 and 90�min but variable staining at other time points. The PBS-treated uterine horn showed intense immunostaining at all times. LIF inhibitor (1mg/kg body weight per day) or PBS was administered to mice (a) subcutaneously, (b) intraperitoneally, at 8-hourly intervals for 3�days from D2, or (c) continuously into the peritoneal cavity via Alzet pumps from D2. No effect was seen on implantation at D6. When LIF antagonist (3.5mg/kg/day) or PBS were administered by Alzet pumps from D2 together with ip injections, 4-hourly from D3 for 36�h, there were no implantation sites in the uteri of treated mice (n�=�5) while the control mice (n�=�4) had 3.6���0.5�sites (P�<�0.001). Histologically, the uteri of the treated mice resembled non-pregnant uterus, while the control uterus resembled post-implantation uterus. The results demonstrate that treatment of mice during early pregnancy with a novel LIF inhibitor blocks LIF action in vivo and embryo implantation. This knowledge is important for development of novel contraceptives. (1) Stewart, C. L., Kaspar, P., Brunet, L. J., Bhatt, H., Gadi, I., Kontgen, F., Abbondanzo, S. J. (1992) Nature 359, 76–79. (2) Cheng, J. G., Chen, J. R., Hernandez, L., Alvord, W. G., Stewart, C. L. (2001) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 98, 8680–8685.

scholarly journals Endometrial pyruvate kinase M2 is essential for decidualization during early pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 245 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Su ◽  
Sujuan Guo ◽  
Chunyan Liu ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Pyruvate Kinase ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Pyruvate Kinase M2 ◽  
Ishikawa Cells ◽  
Implantation Sites

Embryo implantation is essential for normal pregnancy. Decidualization is known to facilitate embryo implantation and maintain pregnancy. Uterine stromal cells undergo transformation into decidual cells after embryo attachment to the endometrium. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is a rate limiting enzyme in the glycolysis process which catalyzes phosphoenolpyruvic acid into pyruvate. However, little is known regarding the role of PKM2 during endometrial decidualization. In this study, PKM2 was found to be mainly located in the uterine glandular epithelium and luminal epithelium on day 1 and day 4 of pregnancy and strongly expressed in the decidual zone after embryo implantation. PKM2 was dramatically increased with the onset of decidualization. Upon further exploration, PKM2 was found to be more highly expressed at the implantation sites than at the inter-implantation sites on days 5 to 7 of pregnancy. PKM2 expression was also significantly increased after artificial decidualization both in vivo and in vitro. After PKM2 expression was knocked down by siRNA, the number of embryo implantation sites in mice on day 7 of pregnancy was significantly reduced, and the decidualization markers BMP2 and Hoxa10 were also obviously downregulated in vivo and in vitro. Downregulated PKM2 could also compromise cell proliferation in primary endometrial stromal cells and in Ishikawa cells. The migration rate of Ishikawa cells was also obviously suppressed by si-PKM2 according to the wound healing assay. In conclusion, PKM2 might play an important role in decidualization during early pregnancy, and cell proliferation might be one pathway for PKM2 regulated decidualization.

scholarly journals Expression and function of Pdcd4 in mouse endometrium during early pregnancy

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Mingyun Ni ◽  
Na Liu ◽  
Yongjiang Zhou ◽  
Xuemei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Programmed Cell Death 4 ◽  
Implantation Sites ◽  
And Function

Embryo implantation is a complex process involving synchronised crosstalk between a receptive endometrium and functional blastocysts. Apoptosis plays an important role in this process as well as in the maintenance of pregnancy. In this study, we analysed the expression pattern of programmed cell death 4 (Pdcd4), a gene associated with apoptosis in the mouse endometrium, during early pregnancy and pseudopregnancy by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridisation, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that Pdcd4 was increased along with days of pregnancy and significantly reduced at implantation sites (IS) from day 5 of pregnancy (D5). The level of Pdcd4 at IS was substantially lower than that at interimplantation sites (IIS) on D6 and D7. In addition, Pdcd4 expression in the endometrium was reduced in response to artificially induced decidualisation in vivo and in vitro. Downregulation of Pdcd4 gene expression in cultured primary stromal cells promoted decidualisation, while upregulation inhibited the decidualisation process by increasing apoptosis. These results demonstrate that Pdcd4 is involved in stromal cell decidualisation by mediating apoptosis and therefore plays a role in embryo implantation in mice.

301. LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR IS A CRITICAL REGULATOR OF DECIDUALIZATION OF ENDOMETRIAL STROMAL CELLS IN HUMANS AND MICE

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
L. Lin ◽  
E. M. Menkhorst ◽  
E. Dimitriadis
Keyword(s):  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Recurrent Miscarriage ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Endometrial Stromal Cells ◽  
Decidual Cells

Decidualization is the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into decidual cells. It is a critical process in embryo implantation, placentation and the establishment of pregnancy. Inadequate decidualization can lead to infertility, abnormal placentation and recurrent miscarriage. Endometrial leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is indispensible in blastocyst implantation in mice and dysregulated in infertile women. LIF is produced by 1st trimester decidual cells but its role in decidualization is not known. This study aimed to examine the role of LIF in human and mouse decidualization. Primary human endometrial stomal cells (HESC) were isolated and decidualized (D) by treatment with estradiol (E) +medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for 14 days. HESC were also treated with E+MPA+/–LIF (0.5, 5, 50, 100 and 200 ng/mL) for 14 days. Prolactin secretion was used to assess the extent of decidualization (n = 6). D and non-D HESC were also treated with LIF (0.5, 5, 50, 100 and 200 ng/mL +/– LIF inhibitor) for 15min and the phosphorylation (p) of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3/STAT3 abundance was detected by Western blot (n = 4). RNA was isolated for analysis of LIF and LIF receptor (R) mRNA expression during decidualization (n = 4). HESC treated with E+MPA+LIF (50, 100 and 200 ng/mL) secreted more prolactin compared to cells treated with E+MPA alone (P < 0.05). LIF increased pSTAT3/STAT3 abundance in D and non-D cells while LIF+LIF inhibitor abolished pSTAT3/STAT3. LIF mRNA was downregulated while LIF-R mRNA increased during decidualization. In vivo, mated mice (n = 5) were injected intraperitoneally with a unique long acting LIF inhibitor post-implantation at day 4.5 of pregnancy and resulted in reduced decidualization compared to control. This is the first study to demonstrate that LIF promoted decidualization of HESC possibly via pSTAT3. It further suggested that LIF regulated decidualization in mice demonstrating a newly identified critical role for LIF in the establishment of pregnancy.

Platelet-activating factor-antagonists reduce implantation in mice at low doses only

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
C O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Platelet Activating Factor ◽  
Implantation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Low Doses ◽  
Paf Antagonists ◽  
Implantation Sites ◽  
Web 2086

The effects of a number of platelet-activating factor (PAF)-antagonists on embryo implantation were investigated. Mice were treated from Day 1 to Day 4 of pregnancy with three defined PAF-antagonists: SRI 63 441, BN 52021, and WEB 2086. Necroscopies were performed on Day 8 and the number of implantation sites, the implantation rate (number of implanted embryos compared with the number of corpora lutea) and the proportion of animals pregnant were determined. Each agent caused a reduction in the number of implantation sites at relatively low doses. The dose that had a maximum contragestational effect was 40 micrograms, 10 micrograms and 10 micrograms (per 30 g bodyweight per day) for SRI 63 441, WEB 2086 and BN 52021 respectively. This contragestational effect was completely lost at twice (SRI 63 441), five times (WEB 2086) and ten times (BN 52021) the most effective dose. Treatment with WEB 2086 on the day of implantation (Day 4) by intraperitoneal injection or instillation into the uterus only did not significantly reduce the implantation rate and neither did treatment after implantation (Days 5-8). The results show that the pharmacology of PAF-antagonists in early pregnancy is not simple. An understanding of the actions of these agents in early pregnancy will require a detailed knowledge of their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and targets of action in early pregnancy.

The role of the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor in embryo implantation and placentation

Placenta ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Jumpei Terakawa ◽  
Kazuhiro Matsuo ◽  
Takafumi Namiki ◽  
Kana Ohtomo ◽  
Atsuko Kageyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor

scholarly journals 226.Regulated expression of adhesion and anti-adhesion molecules in mouse endometrium during early pregnancy

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 226 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Jasper ◽  
A. Stocker ◽  
S. A. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Luminal Epithelium ◽  
Paracrine Factors ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Actin Mrna ◽  
Further Development

To implant and establish the connections that are vital for further development, the early embryo must attach to and then breech the barrier posed by the epithelium of the maternal tract. Expression of adhesion and anti-adhesion molecules in the luminal epithelium of the endometrium are thought to fluctuate in a temporal pattern to 'frame' the implantation site, with their expression regulated by endocrine and paracrine factors. Anti-adhesion molecules, such as members of the mucin family, provide a barrier to implantation in sites or at times unsuitable for embryo development. Expression of adhesion molecules, or specific integrins, are thought to aid in the adhesion of the embryo, allowing it to induce changes in the underlying tissue promoting embryo invasion and pregnancy. The aim of this study was to quantitate the expression of mRNA encoding the integrins αυ, α4 and β3 and MUC1 and MUC4 from Day 0 (oestrous) to Day 4 of pregnancy (implantation) using quantitative real time RT-PCR. Uterine tissues were collected at oestrous and at Days 1, 2, 3 and 4 of pregnancy (Day 1 corresponding to the presence of a vaginal plug), total RNA was extracted, DNAse treated, reverse transcribed into cDNA, and quantified by real-time PCR using SYBR Green chemistry. All specific primers were designed using GenBank sequences and data were normalised to β-actin mRNA expression. Expression of MUC1 and MUC4 mRNAs was dramatically reduced, with mean values 20-fold and 100-fold less than at oestrous respectively, by Day 4 of pregnancy. In contrast, expression of mRNAs encoding integrins αυ, α4 and β3 was detected throughout early pregnancy. These data demonstrate that adhesion and anti-adhesion molecules are differentially expressed in the murine uterus during early pregnancy and may be key mediators in embryo implantation, promoting attachment of the embryo to the luminal epithelium in an environment conducive to embryo growth and development. Supported by a Clive & Vera Ramaciotti Project Grant to MJ Jasper.

YY1 and RTCB in mouse uterine decidualization and embryo implantation

Reproduction ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Li ◽  
Xiao-Tong Song ◽  
Si-Wei Guo ◽  
Na Zhao ◽  
Mei He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Mrna Splicing ◽  
Proximal Promoter ◽  
Mouse Uterus ◽  
Rna Ligase ◽  
Xbp1 Mrna ◽  
Transcription Factor Yy1

As a multifunctional transcription factor, YY1 regulates the expression of many genes essential for early embryonic development. RTCB is an RNA ligase that plays a role in tRNA maturation and Xbp1 mRNA splicing. YY1 can bind in vitro to the response element in the proximal promoter of Rtcb and regulate Rtcb promoter activity. However, the in vivo regulation and whether these two genes are involved in the mother-fetal dialogue during early pregnancy remain unclear. In this study, we validated that YY1 bound in vivo to the proximal promoter of Rtcb in mouse uterus of early pregnancy. Moreover, via building a variety of animal models, our study suggested that both YY1 and RTCB might play a role in mouse uterus decidualization and embryo implantation during early pregnancy.

414. The contraceptive potential of a long-acting IL-11 inhibitor

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
E. Menkhorst ◽  
L. Salamonsen ◽  
L. Robb ◽  
E. Dimitriadis
Keyword(s):  
Nature Medicine ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Hormonal Contraceptive ◽  
Cyclin D3 ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
Luminal Epithelium ◽  
Endometrial Stromal Cells ◽  
Decidual Cells ◽  
Implantation Sites ◽  
Long Acting

Interleukin 11 (IL-11) signalling is essential for the establishment of pregnancy in mice, through its action on the differentiation of uterine endometrial stromal cells (decidualisation), a critical process during embryo implantation. IL-11Rα deficient mice are infertile due to defective decidualisation1. IL-11 expression peaks between days (D) 4.5–9.5 of pregnancy (D0: day of plug) in mouse decidua. We examined the effect of administering (intraperitoneal [IP] injection or vaginal gel) a PEGylated IL-11 antagonist (PEGIL-11A) on decidualisation and pregnancy outcome in mice. The sera half-life of PEGIL-11A (IC50 2.8nM) following IP injection was 24h, compared with <1 h for the non-PEGylated antagonist (IC50 0.26nM). Following IP injection, PEGIL-11A localised to decidual cells and blocked the IL-11 decidual target protein, cyclin D3. IP injection of 600µg/application PEGIL-11A (or PEG control) at 1000 h and 1600 h on D3 and 1000 h on D4 (n = 4/group), resulted in smaller implantation sites than controls on D6 due to retarded mesometrial decidual formation. On D10, severe decidual destruction was visible: implantation sites contained regions of haemorrhage and the uterine luminal epithelium had reformed, suggesting a return to oestrous cycling. Following vaginal application in aqueous placebo gel, PEGIL-11A localised to decidual cells. Vaginal application of 200µg/application PEGIL-11A (or control) twice daily from D2 to D5 (n = 4/group), resulted in smaller implantation sites than controls on D6 due to partial inhibition of mesometrial decidual formation. This study demonstrates that PEGIL-11A blocked IL-11 action in the uterus, resulting in total pregnancy loss, equivalent to the IL-11Rα deficient mouse. In women, IL-11 and its receptor are produced by the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium during the period of uterine receptivity2, suggesting that IL-11 may act during initial blastocyst attachment to the luminal epithelium as well as stromal decidualisation. This study provides proof-of-principle for the development of a novel, non-hormonal contraceptive for women. (1) Robb L et al. Nature Medicine 1998; 4: 303–308. (2) Dimitriadis E et al. Molecular Human Reproduction 2000; 6: 907–914.

Levonorgestrel Inhibits Embryo Attachment by Eliminating Uterine Induction of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor

Endocrinology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsunori Matsuo ◽  
Yasushi Hirota ◽  
Yamato Fukui ◽  
Hidetoshi Fujita ◽  
Tomoko Saito-Fujita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
Vehicle Control ◽  
Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Attachment Sites ◽  
Attachment Inhibition ◽  
Evening Administration ◽  
Embryo Attachment

Abstract Progestogens including progesterone (P4) and levonorgestrel (LNG) are clinically used for multiple purposes such as contraception and infertility treatment. The effects of progestogens on the uterus remains to be elucidated. Here we examine the effect of excessive progestogen administration on embryo implantation focusing on the function of uterine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine that is induced by estrogen and essential for embryo attachment. Treatment of wild-type (WT) female mice with vehicle (control), LNG at the dose of 300 μg/kg/day and P4 at the dose of 10 mg/day from day 1 to day 4 of pregnancy was conducted. LNG-treated and P4-treated mice showed embryo attachment failure on day 5 of pregnancy (The rate of mice with embryo attachment sites [%MAS], 11% and 13%, respectively), while all the control mice had normal attachment sites. Uterine LIF expression was significantly reduced in LNG-treated and P4-treated mice on day 4 evening. Administration of recombinant LIF (rLIF) at the dose of 24 μg/day on day 4 significantly rescued embryo attachment failure in LNG-treated and P4-treated mice (%MAS, 80% and 75%, respectively). Estradiol (E2) administration also rescued embryo attachment failure in LNG-treated mice (%MAS, 83%). Furthermore, excess P4 treatment before implantation decreased decidual P4 receptor (PGR) expression and induced decidualization defect apart from LIF downregulation. These findings indicate that progestogens cause embryo attachment inhibition through downregulation of uterine LIF expression and compromised decidualization through downregulation of PGR independently of LIF reduction. This study may contribute to a better understanding of contraceptive action of progestogens.

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