The potential role of stem cell factor and its receptor c-kit in the mouse blastocyst implantation.
Embryo implantation is a complex process that requires the interaction of embryo and endometrium. Several growth factors and cytokines appear to be involved in this process. Stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor c-kit regulate the proliferation and survival of germ cells and play an important role in follicular development. However, little information is available on the role of SCF and c-kit in the process of blastocyst implantation. In the present study, we examined the expression of SCF and c-kit mRNA in mouse embryos and in the stromal and epithelial cells of the uterine endometrium by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). SCF mRNA was expressed in the spreading blastocysts and endometrial cells, with especially strong expression occurring in the stromal cells. Expression of c-kit mRNA was detected in the blastocysts and spreading blastocysts, as well as in the endometrial cells. By immunocytochemical studies, staining for c-kit protein was observed in the in-vitro spreading trophoblasts. We found that 50-100 ng/ml SCF significantly promoted the expansion of the surface area of the spreading blastocysts (P < 0.01). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that SCF derived from endometrial cells and the implanting embryo exerts paracrine and/or autocrine action on the process of implantation by stimulating trophoblast outgrowth through its receptor c-kit.
Mitsunari
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago 683, Japan.
Harada
T
T
Tanikawa
M
M
Iwabe
T
T
Taniguchi
F
F
Terakawa
N
N
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects
D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit