title: Identification of novel genes regulated by chorionic gonadotropin in baboon endometrium during the window of implantation.
abstract: Chorionic gonadotropin (CG) is an early embryo-derived signal that is known to support the corpus luteum. An in vivo baboon model was used to study the direct actions of human CG (hCG) on the endometrium, during the periimplantation period. Endometrial gene expression was analyzed using microarrays. The endometrial biopsies were taken from hCG-treated (n = 5) and control (n = 6) animals on d 10 after ovulation. Class comparison identified 61 genes whose transcript levels differed between control and hCG-treated samples (48 increased, 13 decreased in mean expression level more than 2.5-fold; P < 0.01). Real-time PCR of transcript abundance confirmed up-regulation of several of these, including SerpinA3, matrix metalloproteinase 7, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), IL-6, and Complement 3 (P </= 0.05). Analysis of protein abundance in endometrial flushings showed increased LIF and IL-6 protein in uterine flushings from hCG-treated animals compared with controls. Complement C3 and Superoxide dismutase 2 that were also up-regulated, were further evaluated by immunocytochemistry. Complement C3 showed a marked increase in stromal staining in response to hCG, whereas and superoxide dismutase 2 localization was most markedly increased in the glandular epithelial cells. Expression of Soluble Frizzled Related Protein 4, the most highly down-regulated gene, was also validated by PCR. Our experiments have shown that hCG induces alterations in the endometrial expression of genes that regulate embryo attachment, extracellular matrix remodeling and the modulation of the immune response around the implanting blastocyst. Several of these genes, including LIF and gp130, have been shown to be essential for implantation in other species. This study provides strong evidence that the preimplantation embryo itself influences the development of the receptive endometrium via secreted paracrine signals.
authors.affiliation: HCLD, Professor of Physiology, Director, Center for Women's Health & Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Illinois, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612-7313, USA.
authors.forename: J R A
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sherwin
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sharkey
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cameo
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mavrogianis
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edassery
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Fazleabas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D003199:Computer Systems; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D010215:Papio / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003176:Complement C3; D015850:Interleukin-6; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase