title: Control and expression of cystatin C by mouse decidual cultures.
abstract: During mouse embryo implantation, trophoblast invasion is controlled in part by a balance of trophoblast-derived proteinases and uterine decidual proteinase inhibitors. Our work has focused on cystatin C, the secreted inhibitor of cathepsins B and L. We have previously shown that cystatin C is synthesized by the uterine decidua and localized to the cells in close contact with the trophoblast during implantation in vivo. In the work reported here we have established that decidualizing cultures show a similar upregulation of cystatin C. Using Northern and Western blotting and immunolocalization techniques both cystatin C mRNA and secreted protein increased with the morphological differentiation of stromal or decidual capsule cultures. In an effort to understand the regulation of cystatin C expression, decidual cells were analyzed under various culture conditions. Cystatin C expression was upregulated by increased cell density and by the presence of serum in the media. The growth factors TGF-beta(1) and EGF were found to induce cystatin C to levels comparable to serum stimulation. Co-culture with ectoplacental cones (EPCs) likewise induced expression and resulted in the localization of cystatin at the decidua:trophoblast interface. This work shows that decidualizing cultures are a good system to study cystatin C expression and that the expression is controlled in part by TGF-beta(1) and EGF signaling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell, Developmental and Neurobiology, Nelson Labs, Busch Campus, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08855, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Afonso
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tovar
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romagnano
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Babiarz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C525031:Cst3 protein, mouse; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor