Leukaemia inhibitory factor in implantation and uterine biology.
Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is one of the most important cytokines in the reproductive tract. Without expression of LIF in the uterus, implantation of a blastocyst cannot begin. Yet, 13 years after publication of the phenotype of the LIF knockout mouse we are only just beginning to understand how LIF functions in the uterus. This review addresses our knowledge of the role of LIF in regulating implantation through its influence on the luminal epithelium and stromal decidualization, but also its influence on reproductive tract cells such as leukocytes and glandular epithelium, during the pre-implantation phase of pregnancy.
Kimber
Susan J
SJ
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK. sue.kimber@manchester.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D003656:Decidua / Q000502:physiology; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology*
D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; C507838:Lif protein, mouse