Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) may improve embryonic development and implantation by increasing vitronectin receptor (integrin alphanubeta3) expression in peri-implantation mouse embryos.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of HB-EGF on expression of integrin alphanubeta3 and implantation of embryos.


METHODS
Two-cell embryos were recovered and cultured with or without 10 ng/mL HB-EGF for 96h. Expression of integrin alphanubeta3 in cultured embryos was examined by real time-RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis; embryos were cultured with or without HB-EGF, then transferred into the uteri of pseudo-pregnant female mice in order to analyze their implantation rate.


RESULTS
HB-EGF improved embryonic hatching and outgrowth during extended culture, and up-regulated expression of integrin alphanubeta3 in both the preimplantation embryo and outgrowing blastocyst. Also, integrin alphanubeta3 subunits were localized at the pericellular borders and cell-cell contact areas. The number of successful implantation sites of transferred HB-EGF-treated embryos in the uterus was increased when compared to number of implantation sites with non-treated controls.


CONCLUSIONS
HB-EGF may improve implantation by accelerating expression of integrin alphanubeta3 in peri-implantation mouse embryos.
Lim
Jung Jin
JJ
Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Korea. limjj7657@hanmail.net
Lee
Dong Ryul
DR
Song
Haeng-Seok
HS
Kim
Kye-Seong
KS
Yoon
Tae Ki
TK
Gye
Myung Chan
MC
Kim
Moon Kyoo
MK
D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
C587884:Hbegf protein, mouse; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor