Effects of E-cadherin on mouse embryo implantation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9.
E-cadherin is a cell surface glycoprotein, which is responsible for adhesion between epithelial cells. Whether it is involved in embryo implantation is still unknown. In a mouse intrauterine horn injection model, one uterine horn in each mouse was injected with different doses of E-cadherin antibody on day 3 of pregnancy. The results showed that embryo implantation was significantly inhibited in the mice injected with 3 microg E-cadherin antibody. The mouse uteri in this group were collected on days 5, 6, and 7 of pregnancy and expressions of MMP-2 and -9 were studied. In situ hybridization and RT-PCR results showed that the expression of MMP-2 and -9 mRNAs in uteri of E-cadherin antibody treated group was increased on days 5-7. The results of gelatin zymography of MMPs showed that the activities of pro-MMP-2, MMP-2, and pro-MMP-9 were increased significantly on days 5 and 6, and pro-MMP-9 activity was increased on day 7. The present study suggested that E-cadherin was involved in embryo implantation through decreasing the expressions and activities of MMP-2 and -9.
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.
Guoyi
G
Liu
Xuan
X
Zhang
Haiyan
H
Lin
Hongmei
H
Wang
Qinglei
Q
Li
Jiang
J
Ni
Cheng
C
Zhu
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014599:Uterus / Q000201:enzymology
D000906:Antibodies; D015820:Cadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9