VEGF, bFGF, and their receptors in the endometrium of rhesus monkey during menstrual cycle and early pregnancy.
A number of cytokines and growth factors are known to modulate proliferation and differentiation of human endometrium. In this study, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and VEGF receptors, fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt1) and kinase insert domain-containing region (KDR), and bFGF receptor 1 (Flg) were examined in the endometrium of rhesus monkey on Day 5, 10, 16, 20, 25 of menstrual cycle and on Day 19 of early pregnancy. Western blot analysis showed the specificity of the anti-human antibodies with the monkey tissue. The expression of mRNA and protein of VEGF was correlated with that of its receptor KDR, which was detected in epithelial, vascular, and myometrial cells. The localization of bFGF and its receptor Flg was similar to that of VEGF, except that the Flg was absent in the endothelial cells. Strong expression of VEGF and bFGF in the glandular epithelial cells was observed in the proliferative phase, declined in the secretory phase during the cycle. Stronger staining of these factors was also observed in the decidual cells of the pregnant uterus, as compared with the stromal cells of cycling uterus. No expression of Flt1 was detected in the tissue examined in this study. These data suggest that VEGF, bFGF, and their receptors play important roles in epithelial and stromal development, angiogenesis, and blood vessel function in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy of the rhesus monkey.
Wei
Peng
P
State Key laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.
Chen
Xin-Lei
XL
Song
Xin-Xin
XX
Han
Chun-Sheng
CS
Liu
Yi-Xun
YX
D000818:Animals; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
C000717249:FLG protein, human; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor