Endothelin-1 in smooth muscle cells and mast cells of mouse uterus after parturition.
To elucidate the physiological importance of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in mouse uterus, we investigated quantitative changes in ET-1 mRNA levels in the uterus during the estrous cycle, pregnancy and post-parturient period by use of the real-time PCR technique and we examined the cellular distribution of the ET-1 peptide by use of immunohistochemical techniques. Low and constant mRNA levels were observed in the uterus from cyclic or pregnant mice. However, a significant increase in mRNA levels was found immediately after parturition (day 0 postpartum) which then decreased gradually to a basal level at day 14 postpartum. Discernible immunopositivity was found in myometrial cells as well as in endometrial epithelial cells in the post-parturient uterus. Myometrial cells showed the strongest staining at day 0 postpartum, and some large cells in the myometrial layers, intensely positive for ET-1, were characterized as mast cells. These findings suggest the possibility that in mouse uterus ET-1 may play a role in recovery from the uterine changes caused by pregnancy and parturition.
Uchide
T
T
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan. uchide@vmas.kitasato-u.ac.jp
Uchide
T
T
Adur
J
J
Yoshioka
K
K
Sasaki
T
T
Temma
K
K
Saida
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004971:Estrus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D017931:DNA Primers; D019332:Endothelin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases