title: Endometrial epithelial cell modifications in response to embryonic signals in bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata).
abstract: The present investigation reports embryo-induced modifications in the epithelial cells of the endometrium in a primate species. In vivo, epithelial cell response to the embryonic signals was assessed at the embryo attachment stage in the gestational uterus of bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) and in vitro response was investigated by treating human endometrial epithelial cell line (Ishikawa) with human embryo conditioned media (CM). Endometrial epithelial (EE) cells at the embryo attachment stage in bonnet monkeys revealed higher proliferation accompanied by significant up regulation (p < 0.05) in the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)α and down regulation (p < 0.05) in ERβ expression. Further gestational EE cells showed higher (p < 0.001) expression of mucin-1, except in the embryo attachment site. Also, observed were significantly higher expression (p < 0.05) and altered cytoplasmic distribution of α(v) and β(3) integrins, when compared to non-pregnant animals. In pregnant animals, the embryo attachment zone showed differential expression of immunoreactive integrins as compared to the non-attachment zone. This suggested the role of embryo secreted factors in modulation of the epithelial cell profile. In vitro studies partially supported this assumption. Significantly higher proliferation (p < 0.05), as well as increased expression of ERα, integrin β(3) and mucin-1 (p < 0.05) were observed in Ishikawa cells, on stimulation with CM. Taken together, these results indicated the proliferation and modulation in the expression of estrogen receptors and cell adhesion molecules in the EE cells; at the embryo attachment stage in bonnet monkeys. Further it is likely that embryo secreted factors contribute to some of these modifications in EE cells. This report is the first account of discrete cellular events, which occur in the uterine epithelium, at the embryo attachment stage in a primate species.
authors.affiliation: Primate Biology Division, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, Mumbai 400012, India.
authors.forename: Shruti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nimbkar-Joshi
authors.forename: Rajendraprasad R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Katkam
authors.forename: Uddhav K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Chaudhari
authors.forename: Sheeba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Dhananjay D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Manjramkar
authors.forename: Sidhhanath M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Metkari
authors.forename: Indira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hinduja
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mangoli
authors.forename: Sadhana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Sanjeeva D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kholkute
authors.forename: Chander P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.forename: Geetanjali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sachdeva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D008255:Macaca radiata; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016023:Integrins; D018396:Mucin-1