Regulation of endometrial granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the ewe.
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) increases ovine interferon-tau (oIFNtau) secretion by ovine conceptuses, but endometrial production of GM-CSF has not been characterized. Endometrial GM-CSF expression was evaluated in ovariectomized ewes implanted with estradiol-17beta (E(2)) and/or progesterone (P(4)) for 14 days, in day 14 cyclic and day 14 pregnant ewes. Relative levels of endometrial GM-CSF mRNA were 3-fold higher in E(2)- and E(2)/P(4)-treated ewes than that of control or P(4)-treated ovariectomized ewes. Levels of endometrial GM-CSF mRNA for cyclic ewes were similar to E(2)- and E(2)/P(4)-treated ewes, but amounts of GM-CSF mRNA in pregnant ewes were 2-fold higher. GM-CSF concentrations in endometrial culture media, determined by GM-CSF bioassay, for cyclic and E(2)/P(4)-treated ovariectomized ewes were 3-fold higher than those of control, E(2)- and P(4)-treated ovariectomized ewes; however, amounts of GM-CSF in pregnant ewes were 2-fold higher. Immunoreactive GM-CSF, examined by western blot, was detected in the culture medium from E(2)/P(4)-treated ovariectomized, cyclic and pregnant ewes. Luminal and glandular epithelia and stromal regions were determined to be sites of GM-CSF expression by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques. Data indicate that combined E(2) and P(4) treatment of ovariectomized ewes is sufficient to restore GM-CSF expression to the level found in cyclic ewes; however, GM-CSF mRNA and protein in pregnant ewes is 2-fold greater than in ovariectomized or cyclic ewes. These data suggest that the conceptus, in addition to steroids, may play a role in the regulation of endometrial production of GM-CSF.
USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Roman L Hruska US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933-0166, USA.
W J
WJ
McGuire
K
K
Imakawa
K
K
Tamura
C S R
CS
Meka
R K
RK
Christenson
D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor