title: Costimulatory molecule CD28 participates in the process of embryo implantation in mice.
abstract: Embryo implantation is a complex process requiring reciprocal interactions between implantation-competent blastocysts and receptive uteri. Accumulating literatures have indicated that T cells are involved in this process. The first signal mediated by T-cell receptor/CD3 complex and the second signal delivered by costimulatory molecules are essential for the differentiation of T cell into an effector cell. Expression and function of CD28, an important costimulatory molecule, during early pregnancy in mice is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the expression pattern of CD28 in mouse uterus during early pregnancy and pseudopregnancy by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). We found that injection of the uterine horn with CD28 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides leads to a decreased number of implantation sites. The expression pattern of CD3 protein examined by IHC is similar to that of CD28. These findings suggest that CD28 participates in the process of embryo implantation in mice, which might play its role through delivering the second costimulatory signal.
authors: 1Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
authors: Shangjing
authors: S
authors: Liu
authors: Junlin
authors: J
authors: He
authors: Xuemei
authors: X
authors: Chen
authors: Yubin
authors: Y
authors: Ding
authors: Yanqing
authors: Y
authors: Geng
authors: Mengyun
authors: M
authors: Wu
authors: Xueqing
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: Yingxiong
authors: Y
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018106:CD28 Antigens
keywords: CD28; costimulatory signal; embryo implantation