Immunohistochemical localization of the interleukin-1 system in the mouse ovary during follicular growth, ovulation, and luteinization.
The distribution of immunoreactive interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1R tI), IL-1 alpha, and IL-1 beta, and of macrophages, was investigated immunohistochemically in the mouse ovary during follicular growth, ovulation, and luteinization. For this purpose, an indirect immunofluorescence technique, using specific monoclonal antibodies against mouse IL-1R tI, mouse IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and macrophage antigens (CD11b/CD18) was used with sections of paraffin-embedded ovaries from eCG and eCG/hCG-treated 12-wk-old B6C3F-1 female mice. During follicular development, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-1R tI staining were confined to the theca-interstitial layer of growing follicles with one remarkable exception. Intense IL-1R tI still staining was present in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane of the murine oocyte. During ovulation, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were still confined to the theca layer, but faint IL-1R tI staining was initiated in cumulus cells and in granulosa cells just before follicle rupture. Immediately after follicle rupture, granulosa cells stained positive for IL-1R tI, IL-1 alpha, and IL-1 beta. During luteinization, granulosa-luteal cells of the corpus luteum demonstrated strong IL-1R tI, IL-1 alpha, and IL-1 beta staining. Macrophages were detected in the theca layer and stroma, but never within the follicle before ovulation. Immediately after ovulation, there was a rapid entry of macrophages into the follicle, and macrophages were also present inside the corpus luteum. Our morphological results support a possible autocrine-paracrine role of the mouse ovarian IL-1 system in ovulation and luteinization.
Simón
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C
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University Medical Center, California 94305.
Frances
A
A
Piquette
G
G
Polan
M L
ML
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D051379:Mice; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007375:Interleukin-1; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1