Production and characterization of WEG-1, an epidermal growth factor/transforming growth factor-alpha-responsive mouse uterine epithelial cell line.
Uterine epithelial cells (UEC) isolated from 6-week-old CF-1 mice were immortalized using retroviral-mediated transfection of SV40 large T-antigen. One line, WEG-1, retained epithelial morphology and reacted with antibodies to cytokeratins 18, 19, laminin, fibronectin, and beta-catenin. In addition, WEG-1 cells displayed strong nuclear immunoreactivity to SV40 large T-antigen, confirming integration of the retrovirus vector and expression of this gene. WEG-1 cells were negative for nonepithelial markers such as desmin and factor 8. WEG-1 cells did not proliferate in serum-free medium; however, addition of 0.5% FBS supported proliferation to the same extent as 10% FBS. Addition of 50 ng/ml epidermal growth factor to medium containing 0.5% charcoal-stripped FBS restored proliferation comparable with 0.5% whole FBS. Epidermal growth factor or transforming growth factor-alpha (50 ng/ml), but not transforming growth factor-beta, leukemia-inhibiting factor, or fibroblast growth factor, induced the secretion of three proteins (M(r) approximately to 158K, 148K, and 36K). Comparison of protein secretions of WEG-1 cells and UEC showed shared as well as distinct bands. Like UEC, WEG-1 cells secreted PGF2a and PGE2 and expressed PG GH synthase-2. Unlike UEC, WEG-1 cells showed no apical/basal preference for either uptake of methionine or secretion of proteins. The absence of immunoreactive E-cadherin or zona occludens-1 was consistent with the absence of cell polarity in WEG-1 cells. Primary UEC, which polarize in vitro, do not support blastocyst attachment. WEG-1 cells, although not polarized in vitro, also exhibited delayed blastocyst attachment compared with nonuterine cell lines, suggesting that WEG-1 cells partially retained some aspects of UEC function relevant to embryo attachment. WEG-1 cells expressed messenger RNA for Muc-1, an UEC mucin suggested to have antiadhesive properties. Furthermore, WEG-1 cells did not display high affinity heparin binding sites, an activity associated with embryo attachment. WEG-1 cells may provide a model for studying various aspects of UEC function and murine embryo attachment.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
C C
CC
Wegner
V
V
Cherington
J W
JW
Clemens
A L
AL
Jacobs
J
J
Julian
G A
GA
Surveyor
E C
EC
Bell
D D
DD
Carson
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008715:Methionine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D051379:Mice; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D006133:Growth Substances; D015335:Molecular Probes; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011506:Proteins; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D008715:Methionine; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases