Endometrial expression of immunomodulatory cytokines and their regulators during early pregnancy in bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata).
BACKGROUND
It is well established that endometrium undergoes extensive histological changes during implantation and subsequent stages of pregnancy in rodents as well as primates. Our previous investigation using a non-human primate model has demonstrated that morphological alterations are initiated even before the embryo invades the endometrium. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the embryo-induced morphological changes are accompanied by any alteration in the protein levels of the immunomodulatory cytokines and their regulators in the preimplantation stage endometrium.


METHODS
The endometrial expression of immunosuppressive factors such as transforming growth factor beta2 (TGFbeta2), glycodelin (PP14), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were analysed on day 6 post-ovulation in pregnant and non-pregnant bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) using immunohistochemical methods.


RESULTS
The endometrial expression of TGFbeta2, TGFbeta2 receptor, PP14 and IL-6 were significantly up-regulated (p < 0.05) in pregnant animals as compared to non-pregnant animals, whereas the expression of LIF and its receptor remained unaltered in pregnant animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression levels of some immunomodulatory cytokines in endometrium are significantly increased even before the embryo invades the endometrium. The altered cytokine expression profile in endometrium probably contributes towards generating a conducive environment for the embryo survival, growth and development in the uterus.
Rosario
Gracy X
GX
Primate Biology Department, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai-400012, Maharashtra, India.
Sachdeva
Geetanjali
G
Manjramkar
Dhananjay D
DD
Modi
Deepak N
DN
Meherji
Pervin K
PK
Puri
Cher P
CP
D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008255:Macaca radiata; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta