Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA在恒河猴药物流产胎盘中的表达

目的：通过检测重要的细胞凋亡调节因子Bax和Bcl-2的表达,探讨恒河猴胎盘细胞凋亡与药物流产的关系。方法：利用RT-PCR和原位杂交的方法检测恒河猴对照组和药物流产组(RU-486与AG诱导)胎盘中Bax和Bcl-2mRNA的表达。结果：Bax mRNA在流产胎盘中的表达量明显高于对照组胎盘。在胎盘绒毛滋养层细胞可见明显表达,基底层蜕膜细胞也有表达。Bcl-2mRNA在流产胎盘中的表达量明显低于对照组胎盘,表达部位与Bax类似。结论：RU-486和AG可能通过上调Bax mRNA和下调Bcl-2mRNA的表达,导致胎盘组织凋亡细胞的数量明显增加,从而影响胎盘的正常结构和功能,增加了流产的危险性。     

滋养层细胞凋亡调控的研究

胎盘滋养层是母体与胎儿之间进行氧气、营养物质和代谢物交换的组织。大量研究证实 ,滋养层细胞凋亡是正常妊娠过程中存在的一种生理现象 ,具有重要的生理意义。滋养层细胞的凋亡受到Bcl 2家族蛋白、Fas FasL系统、p5 3蛋白及细胞因子等多种因素的调控。本文主要介绍滋养层细胞凋亡的调控及滋养层细胞凋亡与妊娠相关疾病的研究进展。     

单增李斯特菌感染致妊娠失败的研究进展

单增李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes, LM)是一种在自然界广泛存在的食源性人兽共患病原菌,妊娠动物和孕妇感染后会导致妊娠失败。研究显示,LM感染后随着血液循环到达胎盘,在其毒力因子(内化素A、李斯特菌溶血素O、肌动蛋白聚合蛋白、InlP蛋白等)的作用下,首先靶定绒毛膜外滋养层细胞,再穿过合体滋养层细胞或绒毛细胞滋养层细胞到绒毛基质,再通过胎儿毛细血管感染胎儿;在此过程中,LM诱导的胎盘细胞凋亡、母胎界面细胞因子表达水平的改变和胎盘细胞炎性体的激活导致了妊娠失败。该文对上述问题就国内外最新研究进展进行综述和探讨。     

恒河猴胚胎浅表型植入机理的探讨

为揭示恒河猴胚胎浅表型植入的分子机理,实验采用免疫组化和原位杂交的方法研究了粘附侵润相关分子在妊娠恒河猴母胎界面的表达模式,发现层粘连蛋白(LN)、Ⅳ型胶原(ColⅣ)和基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)在滋养层细胞柱的远端开始表达;整合素α1β1从柱的近端到远端表达逐渐升高,但在滋养层细胞鞘中上述分子的表达均降低;大量侵润母体血管的滋养层细胞高水平表达上述分子。此外,植入早期上皮斑和蜕膜基质细胞高表达MMPs组织抑制因子-2(TIMP-2)。结果提示,滋养层细胞鞘中α1β1、LN、MMP-2表达水平的降低及上皮斑、蜕膜和滋养层细胞中TIMP-2的高表达可能是导致浅表型植入形成的分子基础。     

胎盘发生过程中的细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡是一种正常的生理现象,在胚泡着床过程中,伴随有大量细胞凋亡。研究表明,胎盘发生过程中的细胞凋亡,对调控子宫内膜基质细胞的蜕膜化和滋养层细胞的浸润以形成胎盘具有重要意义;另外,由Fas/FasL系统介导的细胞凋亡可能与母体对胎儿的免疫耐受性有关。本文主要评述细胞凋亡的一般通路以及胎盘发生过程中细胞凋亡的调控。     

高糖环境下beclin2介导的自噬增强绒毛膜滋养层细胞凋亡

目的探讨高糖对人绒毛膜滋养层细胞早期凋亡及自噬水平的影响。方法取足月妊娠的正常及妊娠期糖尿病(gestational diabetes mellitus,GDM)患者的胎盘组织,透射电镜观察滋养层细胞超微结构的改变。体外用不同浓度的含糖培养基培养滋养层细胞系HTR8/Svneo细胞24h,分为低糖组(1.57mmol/L或LG2 2.25mmol/L),正常对照组(5.57mmol/L)和高糖组(10.57mmol/L、15.57mmol/L或40.57mmol/L);流式细胞术检测细胞早期凋亡率;q-PCR检测细胞内beclin1、beclin2和ATG7等自噬相关基因的m RNA表达水平;Western blot检测Ⅱ型自噬标志蛋白微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3-II)和p62蛋白表达水平。结果透射电镜下可见GDM组滋养层细胞中存在自噬小体且空泡数目明显多于正常足月妊娠组,其游离面微绒毛出现明显倒覆及坍塌现象;在体外培养的滋养层细胞中,流式细胞术检测显示1.57mmol/L低糖组及40.57mmol/L高糖组较正常对照组HTR8/SVneo细胞的早期凋亡率均明显增加;q-PCR分析发现40.57mmol/L高糖组beclin2及ATG7 m RNA表达水平较正常对照组升高,beclin1 m RNA表达无差异;Western blot检测表明,与正常对照组比较,40.57mmol/L高糖组LC3-II蛋白表达水平升高,p62蛋白表达水平降低。结论高糖可通过beclin2介导的自噬信号途径增强滋养层细胞自噬水平进而导致细胞凋亡,并可能与不良的妊娠结局相关。     

tPA, uPA, PAI-1和 PAI-2在人和恒河猴胎盘中的原位杂交和荧光免疫定位(英文)

用原位杂交和荧光免疫定位方法研究了组织型（ｔ）和尿激酶型（ｕ）纤溶酶原激活因子ｔＰＡ、ｕＰＡ和相应的抑制因子ＰＡＩ－１、ＰＡＩ－２在人和恒河猴胎盘中的定位和分布。结果表明：（１）激活因子ｔＰＡ、ｕＰＡ（Ｆｉｇ．１＆４）和抑制因子ＰＡＩ－１（Ｆｉｇ．２）、ＰＡＩ－２（Ｆｉｇ．３）一般都在不同程度上定位于两者胎盘的相同部位;（２）它们主要分布在绒毛干和蜕膜的血管壁、 ＲＯｈｒ’ｓ和Ｎｉｔａｂｕｃｈ’ｓ纹间的基盘外绒毛滋养层细胞、滋养壳、蜕膜细胞和腺体细胞。并且发现;ｔＰＡ和它的抑制因子ＰＡＩ－１更明显地定位于邻近母体组织离层界面的区域,而ｕＰＡ和抑制因子ＰＡＩ－１更集中在绒毛滋养层和外绒毛滋养细胞中;（３）激活因子和抑制因子的ｍＲＮＡ和蛋白的定位和分布基本上一致,但是、在绒毛核体滋养层细胞上未发现其ｍＲＮＡ表达,却有很强的免疫荧光的分布;（４）激活因子和抑制因子合成和分布部位与其作用底物,即纤蛋白类分子的产生部位一致;（５）未发现上述分子在人和恒河猴胎盘分布上的不同。上述实验结果说明,在妊娠的各个阶段 ＰＡ和它的抑制因子协同表达,局限在作用范围很小的特定产生底物的区域。它们的相互作用可能是维持正常妊娠所必需。在妊     

妊娠兔胎盘细胞凋亡及凋亡相关基因Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化

以新西兰雌兔为动物模型。研究妊娠期间胎盘细胞凋亡及其凋亡调控蛋白Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化,基因组DNA凝胶电泳实验检测到妊娠中期和晚期胎盘基因组DNA中出现典型的凋亡特征-DNA梯带,而且DNA断裂值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为：0.14,0.49和1.43,与妊娠早期相比,妊娠中,晚期胎盘基因组DNA断裂值有显著性增加,TUNEL实验和活化caspase-3的免疫定位实验表明,在妊娠早期胎盘中存在细胞凋亡,而且在各妊娠期中细胞凋亡主要发生于合体滋养层,免疫印迹法分析表明,Bcl-2和Bax随妊娠的进行其表达量明显增加,Bax:Bcl-2比值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为：0.89,0.91和1.25,呈增加趋势,实验结果说明,在兔正常妊娠中,胎盘合体滋养层细胞发生凋亡,且随妊娠的进行,凋亡细胞数量增多,胎盘细胞凋亡主要与细胞中Bax:Bcl-2的比例相关。     

妊娠兔胎盘细胞凋亡及凋亡相关基因Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化

以新西兰雌兔为动物模型,研究妊娠期间胎盘细胞凋亡及其凋亡调控蛋白Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化.基因组DNA凝胶电泳实验检测到妊娠中期和晚期胎盘基因组DNA中出现典型的凋亡特征——DNA梯带,而且DNA断裂值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为：0.14、0.49和1.43,与妊娠早期相比,妊娠中、晚期胎盘基因组DNA断裂值有显著性增加.TUNEL实验和活化caspase-3的免疫定位实验表明,在妊娠早期胎盘中存在细胞凋亡,而且在各妊娠期中细胞凋亡主要发生于合体滋养层.免疫印迹法分析表明,Bcl-2和Bax随妊娠的进行其表达量明显增加,Bax∶Bcl-2比值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为：0.89,0.91和1.25,呈增加趋势.实验结果说明,在兔正常妊娠中,胎盘合体滋养层细胞发生凋亡,且随妊娠的进行,凋亡细胞数量增多,胎盘细胞凋亡主要与细胞中Bax∶Bcl-2的比例相关.     

妊娠兔胎盘细胞凋亡及凋亡相关基因 Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化

以新西兰雌兔为动物模型,研究妊娠期间胎盘细胞凋亡及其凋亡调控蛋白Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化.基因组DNA凝胶电泳实验检测到妊娠中期和晚期胎盘基因组DNA中出现典型的凋亡特征--DNA梯带,而且DNA断裂值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为:0.14、0.49和1.43,与妊娠早期相比,妊娠中、晚期胎盘基因组DNA断裂值有显著性增加.TUNEL实验和活化caspase-3的免疫定位实验表明,在妊娠早期胎盘中存在细胞凋亡,而且在各妊娠期中细胞凋亡主要发生于合体滋养层.免疫印迹法分析表明,Bcl-2和Bax随妊娠的进行其表达量明显增加,Bax∶Bcl-2比值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为:0.89,0.91和1.25,呈增加趋势.实验结果说明,在兔正常妊娠中,胎盘合体滋养层细胞发生凋亡,且随妊娠的进行,凋亡细胞数量增多,胎盘细胞凋亡主要与细胞中Bax∶Bcl-2的比例相关.     

Expression of Bcl-2 and p53 at the fetal-maternal interface of rhesus monkey

To study the apoptosis and its mechanism at the fetal-maternal interface of early gestation, localization of apoptotic cells in the implantation sites of the rhesus monkey on day 17, 19, 28 and 34 of pregnancy were first examine by using the TUNEL technique. The expression of Ki67, a molecular marker of proliferating cells, and two apoptotic proteins, B cell lymphoma/leukaemia-2 (Bcl-2) and P53, were then studied by immunohistochemistry. Apoptotic nuclei were observed mainly in the syncytiotrophoblast. Ki67 was confined almost exclusively to cytotrophoblasts. The localization of Bcl-2 protein follows that of the apoptotic nuclei and its expression level increased as the development of the placenta progressed on. P53 was detected to some extent in cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblast covering the basal feet of the anchoring villi during the late stage of placentation. Based on these observations, it might be suggested that Bcl-2 could be possible to play an interesting role in limiting degree of nuclear degradation and sustaining cell suvival in the multi-nucleated syncytiotrophoblast cells during early pregnancy, and P53 could also be essential in regulating the trophoblastic homeostasis by controlling its proliferation or apoptosis.     

IL-11 and IL-11Rα immunolocalisation at primate implantation sites supports a role for IL-11 in placentation and fetal development

Embryo implantation, endometrial stromal cell decidualization and formation of a functional placenta are critical processes in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Interleukin (IL)-11 signalling is essential for adequate decidualization in the mouse uterus and IL-11 promotes decidualization in the human. IL-11 action is mediated via binding to the specific IL-11 receptor α (IL-11Rα). The present study examined immunoreactive IL-11 and IL-11Rα in cycling rhesus monkey endometrium, at implantation sites in cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys and in human first trimester decidua and defined distinct spatial and temporal patterns. In cycling rhesus monkey endometrium, IL-11 and IL-11Rα increased in both basalis and functionalis regions during the secretory compared with the proliferative phase, with changing cellular locations in luminal and glandular epithelium and stroma. The patterns were similar overall to those previously described in human endometrium. Differences were seen in immunostaining during implantation in cynomologus and rhesus monkey. In the cynomolgus, very little staining for IL-11 or IL-11Rα was seen in syncytio- and cyto-trophoblast cells in the villi between days 12 and 150 of pregnancy although there was moderate staining in cytotrophoblast in the shell between days 12 and 17 and in subpopulations of cytotrophoblast cells invading the arteries at day 17. By contrast in the rhesus monkey between days 24 and 35 of pregnancy and in human first trimester placenta, cyto- and syncytio-trophoblast in the villi but not cytotrophoblast in the shell were positively stained. The most intense staining for both IL-11 and IL-11Rα was present within the decidua in the maternal component of implantation sites in all three primates but moderate staining was also present in maternal vascular smooth muscle and glands perivascular cells and epithelial plaques. These results are consistent with a role for IL-11 both during decidualization and placentation in primates.     

Development of the implantation chamber in the pregnant bitch.

Uteri taken from 25 bitches at various times during the early stages of pregnancy were studies cytologically to determine how the implantation chamber developed and how fetal-maternal relations were established. On day 13 after the end of estrus, knobs of trophoblastic syncytium formed and became wedged between cells of the uterine luminal epithelium. The syncytium quickly spread along the uterine lumen and into the mouths of the glands, dislodging and surrounding maternal cells. As invasion continued trophoblastic villi, consisting of cores of cytotrophoblast covered by a continuous layer of syncytium, penetrated deeper into the endometrium. The syncytium spread to surround maternal vessels and decidual cells. By day 26 the trophoblast had extended down to the large lacunae. Here syncytial trophoblast covering tips of the villi degenerated, leaving cytotrophoblast exposed to the necrotic zone. These cells possessed characteristics of absorbing cells. Hematomas were formed by focal necrosis of fetal and endometrial tissue at the poles of the implantation sites. Large pools of extravasated blood accumulated and red blood cells were phagocytized by surrounding trophoblastic cells. Therefore, the endotheliochorial relationship in the canine placenta appeared to be established by syncytial trophoblast invading a cellular endometrium. In the necrotic zone and hematomas, cellular trophoblast may have lost its syncytial covering, but elsewhere maternal vessels and decidual cells in the placenta were in direct contact only with syncytial trophoblast.     

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is highly expressed in first trimester human chorionic villi and regulates migration of a human cytotrophoblast-derived cell line

The placenta represents a critically important fetal-maternal interaction. Trophoblast migration and invasion into the uterine wall is a precisely controlled process and aberrations in these processes are implicated in diseases such as preeclampsia. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a multifunctional, cytoplasmic, serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in regulating processes such as cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion; yet the temporal and spatial pattern of expression of ILK in human chorionic villi and its role in early human placental development are completely unknown. We hypothesized that ILK would be expressed in trophoblast subtypes of human chorionic villi during early placental development and that it would regulate trophoblast migration. Immunoblot analysis revealed that ILK protein was highly detectable in placental tissue samples throughout gestation. In floating branches of chorionic villi, from 6 to 15 wk of gestation immunofluorescence analysis of ILK expression in placental tissue sections demonstrated that ILK was highly detectable in the cytoplasm and membranes of villous cytotrophoblast cells and in stromal mesenchyme, whereas it was barely detectable in the syncytiotrophoblast layer. In anchoring branches of villi, ILK was highly localized to plasma membranes of extravillous trophoblast cells. Transient expression of dominant negative E359K-ILK in the villous explant-derived trophoblast cell line HTR8-SVneo dramatically reduced migration into wounds compared to cells expressing wild-type ILK or empty vector. Therefore, our work has demonstrated that ILK is highly expressed in trophoblast subtypes of human chorionic villi during the first trimester of pregnancy and is a likely mediator of trophoblast migration during this period of development.     

Early placentation in the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Placentation in the green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) from gestational ages of 18-30 days was studied by light and electron microscopy. The placentae show many features in common with that of the rhesus monkey and other related macaques. Implantation is superficial and bidiscoid, and the placenta is classified as villous and hemomonochorial. Epithelial plaque formation and a moderate stromal reaction occur. Plaque cells are large, with massive deposits of glycogen and marginal pleomorphic dense bodies. Observations further support the concept that chorionic blood vessels, angioblastic and mesenchymal cells are not derived by delamination from cytotrophoblast. Capillary formation is by attachment of one or more mesenchymal cells and/or their processes. Embryonic blood was not observed in the villi until after day 22.     

Lectin histochemistry of human placenta

Abstract. The human placenta was studied histochemically using 23 fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled lectins Distinct patterns of staining, as well as some differences between first-trimester and term placenta, were discerned. Eleven lectins (HPA, VVA, BPA, HAA, SBA, PNA, GSA-I, MPA, RCA-I, RCA-II, and UEA-I) did not react with the trophoblast. Two lectins (LCA and PEA) reacted with the trophoblast of first-trimester placenta but not with the trophoblast of third-trimester placenta. The remaining ten lectins (ConA, Suc.ConA, WGA, GSA-II, LAA, STA, DBA, LBA, PHA-E, and PHA-L) reacted with the trophoblast of both first- and third-trimester placenta, and two of these lectins (ConA and Suc.ConA) reacted preferentially with the syncytiotrophoblast. Five lectins (LAA, STA, DBA, GSA-II, and LBA) reacted with nuclei of the cytotrophoblast. The nuclei of some stromal and syncytiotrophoblastic cells were also reactive. Eighteen lectins reacted with the trophoblastic basement membrane, and all reacted with Hofbauer cells and the stroma of the villi. Latin binding was influenced by the mode of fixation and tissue processing. These data show that some lectins can be used to identify components of the placental villi (e.g., basement, membrane) to characterize differences between the first- and third-trimester trophoblast, and to distinguish the cytotrophoblast from the syncytiotrophoblast.     

Glucocorticoid receptors take part in the apoptotic process of human lens epithelial cells, but the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 does not rescue the cells fully

To identify an agent with specific activity against human lens epithelial cells (HLECs), we confirmed the presence of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and GR-α genes and evaluated whether GRs have a relationship with the apoptotic process in cultured HLECs. We also determined whether the inhibitor RU486 could rescue the cells from apoptosis when the HLECs were exposed to dexamethasone (Dex), a steroid, in 4 concentrations for 4 periods, or were co-treated with the antagonist RU486. We found that Dex, which has been used as a medical agent for a long time, resulted in increased expression of GRE-luciferase, the GR-α gene and GR-protein and, in contrast, decreased the viability of HLECs. The expression of Bax protein was increased in an earlier stage in contrast to the expression of Bcl-2 protein, which was increased in a later stage. Caspase-3 activity was significantly increased under lower concentrations of Dex in the last stage. The nuclear morphology of HLECs showed an obvious apoptotic phenomenon under greater concentrations of Dex in the last stage. However, RU486, a GR antagonist, could partially inhibit GR and Bax expressions and the expression of caspase-3 was increased so that there was not a decrease in the ratio of apoptotic cells and an increase in the viability of HLECs. Our data showed that GRs had a partial relationship to the apoptotic process of HLECs when exposed to Dex and RU486 did not rescue the cells fully. Because of its toxicity, RU486 did not provide a therapeutic benefit in a glucocorticoid induced cataract (GIC) for the in vitro model, however, its activity and pathway targeting should still be studied further with appropriate drug combinations.