Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is expressed at feto-placental unit throughout mouse gestation: An immunohistochemical study.
BACKGROUND
The cells expressing Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) in feto-maternal interface mediate tryptophan catabolism, hence protect allogeneic fetus from lethal rejection by maternal immune responses. In this study, we report immuno-localization of IDO(+) cells in murine reproductive tract and placenta throughout mouse pregnancy by immunohistochemistry.


METHODS
Syngeneic pregnant mice were examined for vaginal plug to discover about their state of pregnancy. A total of three pregnant mice were examined at each stage.The examination was further confirmed by the detection of sperm in vaginal smear. On the gestational days of 2(nd), 12(th) and 18(th), the uterus and oviduct were removed and expression of IDO was investigated in the endometrium, placenta and oviduct by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Our results showed that IDO is expressed consistently in feto-maternal interface throughout pregnancy. In endometrium, expression of IDO was predominantly confined to luminal and glandular epithelial cells. Cells at junctional and labyrinth zones of placenta showed strong IDO immunoreactivity as well.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of IDO at the protein level in reproductive tract of pregnant mice during entire periods of gestation points to its potential protective role in maintenance of pregnancy. In our knowledge this is the first report of expression of IDO in feto-maternal phase during murine pregnancy.
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran.
Hemmati
H
Shayda
Jeddi-Tehrani
JT
Mahmood
Torkabadi
T
Ebrahim
Ghassemi
G
Jamileh
Kazemi Sefat
KS
Golnaz Ensieh
Danesh
D
Parivash
Barzegar Yarmohammadi
BY
Leila
Akhondi
A
Mohammad Mehdi
Zarnani
Z
Amir Hassan
Decidua; Endometrium; Immunohistochemistry; Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase; Oviduct; Placenta; Pregnancy; Tolerance