Cell-type-specific expression of transforming growth factor-alpha in the mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period.
Immunohistochemistry as well as in situ and Northern blot hybridization were employed to determine temporal and cell-type-specific expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in the mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period. The co-localization of TGF-alpha (by immunohistochemistry) with its mRNA (by in situ hybridization) in the luminal and glandular epithelia on Days 1-4 of pregnancy (Day 1 = vaginal plug) and also in many stromal cells on Days 3 and 4 indicates that these cells are the primary sites of TGF-alpha synthesis during the preimplantation period. The higher levels of TGF-alpha mRNA in total uterine RNA on Day 4, as shown by Northern blotting, is consistent with the recruitment of stromal cells expressing this gene. During the post-implantation period (Days 5-8), the co-localization of the mRNA and protein in the decidua at the implantation sites suggests that the decidualizing stromal cells synthesize TGF-alpha. Although in situ hybridization showed the presence of mRNA in embryos on Days 5-8, immunostaining was noted in the embryo only on Days 5 and 6. These results suggest that uterine and embryonic expression of TGF-alpha during the peri-implantation period could be involved in embryonic development, preparation of the uterus for implantation, and decidualization.
Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Ralph L. Smith Research Center, Kansas City 66103.
H
H
Tamada
S K
SK
Das
G K
GK
Andrews
S K
SK
Dey
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D051379:Mice; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011061:Poly A / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D011061:Poly A