Granulated and non-granulated decidual prolactin-related protein-positive decidual cells in the pregnant mouse endometrium.
OBJECTIVE
Identification of the cell types responsible for the synthesis of decidual prolactin-related protein (dPRP) in the pregnant mouse endometrium.


METHODS
Histochemistry and immunocytochemistry were used to determine peri-implantation dPRP and perlecan distribution in the mouse uterus.


RESULTS
We identified dPRP in pre-decidual and mature decidual cells from days 5 to 12 of pregnancy. On day 8, dPRP immunoreactivity was detected within cytoplasmic granules of a specific population of granulated decidual cells (GDCs). In mesometrial decidual cells, weak immunoreactivity was seen from days 7 to 14. Between days 11 and 14, dPRP was found in cytoplasm and in the extracellular matrix surrounding islands of spongiotrophoblast. Perlecan, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, was co-localized with dPRP.


CONCLUSIONS
GDCs are a putative source of dPRP in pregnant mice. Co-localization of perlecan with dPRP suggests that the former acts as a dPRP reservoir and facilitates its paracrine effect in developing placental tissues.
Candeloro
Luciane
L
Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction and Extracellular Matrix, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Zorn
Telma M T
TM
D000818:Animals; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000378:metabolism
C489796:Dtprp protein, mouse; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; C071927:perlecan; D011388:Prolactin