Lefty is expressed in mouse endometrium in estrous cycle and peri-implantation period.
BACKGROUND
Reproductive tissues are unique structures that exhibit cyclic stromal remodelling during menstrual cycles in humans. Ebaf/lefty participates in tissue remodelling of human endometrium by induction of matrix metalloproteases (MMP).


METHODS
We describe the temporal expression and spatial distribution of lefty and tissue remodelling events in mouse endometrium. RT-PCR and real-time PCR were used to identify mRNA expression and western blots to analyse Lefty protein. Immunolocalization was performed with specific antibodies and horseradish peroxidase staining.


RESULTS
Lefty was expressed in endometrium throughout the estrous cycle. Expression of MMP (MMP-2, -3, -7 and -14) was higher at estrus, metestrus and/or diestrus while collagen content of endometrium decreased in these phases. During pregnancy, lefty levels were higher on days 3-5 and were minimal by day 9. Similarly, expression of endometrial MMP was higher on days 3 and 5 of pregnancy and was low on day 9. During pregnancy, loss of collagen was initiated on day 3, persisted to day 5, and led to a significantly reduced collagen on day 9. Immunoreactive lefty decorated basal laminae, and was associated with extracellular matrix in stroma.


CONCLUSIONS
Regulated expression and spatial distribution of lefty in mouse endometrium confines its biological impact on tissues that undergo remodelling during estrous cycle and pregnancy.
Tang
Meiyi
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Xu
Yun
Y
Julian
Joanne
J
Carson
Daniel
D
Tabibzadeh
Siamak
S
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D055458:Left-Right Determination Factors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
C526161:LEFTY1 protein, human; D055458:Left-Right Determination Factors; C526162:Lefty2 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003094:Collagen; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases