Differential expression of insulin-like growth factors in the uterine epithelium and extracellular matrix during early pregnancy.
We have studied the simultaneous expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) in the uterine epithelium and extracellular matrix during the time of trophoblast attachment and implantation. These studies reveal that IGF-I and IGF-II display different spatial and temporal patterns of expression during early pregnancy, and suggest a role for them in the process of attachment and implantation. Specifically, IGF-I is strongly expressed in the basal lamina which is the site of trophoblast invasion into the maternal stroma, and also in the apical epithelium, the site of initial trophoblast attachment. IGF-II is expressed to a lesser extent in the basal lamina, lateral plasma membranes and apical epithelium on day 3 but is only prominent apically at the time of implantation, suggesting a role in attachment.
Slater
M
M
Department of Anatomy and Histology, Anderson Stuart Building F13, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. michaels@anatomy.usyd.edu.au
Murphy
C R
CR
D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II