Developmental control of IFN-alpha expression in murine embryos.
The expression of IFN-alpha transcripts was investigated in murine embryos, fetuses, and fetal annexes in mid and late pregnancy. We have shown by Northern blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization the presence of IFN-alpha transcripts in mouse placenta, fetus, and newborn. From the 14th day of gestation until birth, a typical IFN-alpha transcript (1.2 kb) is found in the fetus. A transcript of larger size (2.2 kb) appears near birth and is present in the newborn mouse. Fetal annexes between the 10th and 21st days of gestation also express IFN-alpha. From the 10th day until birth, the 1.2-kb IFN-alpha mRNA species is present, as well as unusually large transcripts: 4 and 7 kb. To localize IFN-alpha transcripts, in situ hybridization was performed, using 35S-IFN-alpha antisense RNA probe in comparison with the sense RNA probe. The tissue pattern of IFN-alpha transcription in fetuses shows a clear labeling of many epithelia, such as skin, ependyme, and intestine glandular epithelium. A possible relation with cellular differentiation is discussed.
Duc-Goiran
P
P
INSERM U361, Paris, France.
Robert
B
B
Navarro
S
S
Civas
A
A
Cerutti
I
I
Rudant
C
C
Maury
M
M
Condamine
H
H
Doly
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001345:Autoradiography; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D015342:DNA Probes; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009663:Norwalk virus; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D015342:DNA Probes; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger