The role of trophoblast interferons in the maintenance of early pregnancy in ruminants.
OBJECTIVE
Are the effects of ruminant trophoblast interferon-tau (IFN-tau) on uterine prostaglandin (PG) secretion a specific action of this cytokine and what are the effects of IFN-tau on expression of uterine genes not generally associated with pregnancy maintenance?


METHODS
The effects of IFN-tau and IFN-alpha on bovine uterine explant and epithelial cell production of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 were determined in the presence and absence of oxytocin (OT). The effects of intrauterine administration of IFN-tau were determined on uterine expression of retinol-binding protein (RBP) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) isoforms.


RESULTS
IFN-tau attenuated uterine endometrial secretion of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 in vitro and diminish PG stimulation by OT. IFN-tau and IFN-alpha were observed to be equipotent. Intrauterine infusion of IFN-tau resulted in a significant decrease in steady-state RBP mRNA levels and expression of TGF-beta 1, 2, and 3 mRNA levels were lowest in IFN-tau treated animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Negative regulation of gene expression may be a general strategy in IFN activity. This may explain the similar activities of IFN-tau and IFN-alpha on a broad variety of cell types, including ruminant uterine endometrium.
Godkin
J D
JD
Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071, USA.
Smith
S E
SE
Johnson
R D
RD
Doré
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000276:immunology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007370:Interferon Type I; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012756:Sheep; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
D007370:Interferon Type I; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C020947:interferon tau; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D015237:Dinoprost; D015232:Dinoprostone