环状RNA circCapzb在早孕小鼠围植入期子宫内膜中的表达

环状RNA(circular RNA,circRNA)是一类新型内源性非编码RNA,与多种疾病的发生、发展密切相关,但在胚胎着床的过程中罕见报道。该文旨在探讨环状RNA circCapzb在早孕小鼠围植入期子宫内膜中的表达。采用Real-time PCR检测正常妊娠小鼠孕第5天(d5)至第7天(d7)胚胎着床点及胚胎着床旁组织中circCapzb的表达水平;分别构建小鼠体内人工诱导蜕膜化模型和原代小鼠子宫内膜基质细胞体外人工诱导蜕膜化模型,采用Real-time PCR分别检测circCapzb在组织及细胞蜕膜化诱导模型中的表达;通过生物信息学预测circCapzb下游靶miRNA:miR-377-3p和miR-7005-5p,并采用Real-time PCR检测其在蜕膜化诱导模型中的表达。结果表明,circCapzb在小鼠孕第5天至第7天胚胎着床点的表达明显高于着床旁;circCapzb在组织及体内外细胞蜕膜化诱导模型中诱导组的表达明显高于未诱导组(对照组);circCapzb下游靶miR-377-3p和miR-7005-5p在组织及体内外细胞蜕膜化诱导模型中诱导组的表达明显低于未诱导组。该研究初步表明,circCapzb在小鼠早孕期胚胎着床点高表达,在组织及体内外细胞蜕膜化诱导模型中高表达,在小鼠妊娠早期子宫内膜蜕膜化过程中可能发挥作用,但具体机制有待进一步研究。     

小鼠围着床期子宫内膜甲基化CpG结合域蛋白2的表达规律

为研究甲基化CpG结合域蛋白2（methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2,MBD2）在围植入期小鼠子宫内膜的表达规律,通过采用实时荧光定量PCR（Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,qPCR）、Western blot和免疫组化技术检测未孕小鼠（d0）和不同孕天小鼠子宫MBD2的表达情况。qPCR结果显示,d0至d7的小鼠子宫内膜组织均有MBD2 mRNA表达,在d5至d7高表达。MBD2蛋白在子宫内膜的表达规律与qPCR结果相符。MBD2蛋白在孕d1到d4中度表达于腔上皮、腺上皮和基质细胞,在d5至d7基质细胞表达增强,主要表达于蜕膜区。假孕小鼠子宫内膜中,MBD2在腔上皮、腺上皮和基质细胞中中度表达,d5至d7基质细胞表达明显减弱。动物模型中,宫角注射MBD2基因反义寡聚脱氧核苷酸,可抑制MBD2的表达,降低人工诱导蜕膜化反应和蜕膜化标志物PRL的表达。MBD2在早孕小鼠子宫内膜的表达模式提示其可能参与了蜕膜化过程。     

胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-7′在大鼠胚胎植入过程中的差异表达与调节

胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-7(IGFBP-7)已经证实在人的妊娠过程中起了重要作用,但在大鼠中尚未见报道.在过去的研究中曾利用抑制消减杂交(SSH)方法分析了植入前和植入期的基因表达谱,发现IGFBP-7存在差异表达.通过RNA印迹和原位杂交,分析了IGFBP-7部分序列(编码区531～928nt,称作IGFBP-7′)在大鼠妊娠早期子宫中的时空表达模式.用RT-PCR方法检测了其在不同组织器官及假孕、人工诱导蜕膜化和延迟着床激活大鼠子宫中的表达模式.结果显示:在大鼠妊娠第5天IGFBP-7′mRNA的表达量开始增加,第5.5和6天表达量显著高于植入前期.IGFBP-7′mRNA主要表达于子宫腔上皮和腺上皮.IGFBP-7′mRNA表达无组织特异性,在大鼠的下丘脑、垂体、卵巢、子宫、心、肝、脾、肺、肾等器官均有表达,在假孕的D1～D6大鼠子宫中均有表达,但无显著性差异,诱导蜕膜化后IGFBP-7′mRNA的表达量也无明显变化,但在延迟着床激活的大鼠子宫中表达显著增加.这些结果提示,在植入期IGFBP-7′的表达增加主要是由胚泡引起的,而非蜕膜化.在大鼠妊娠早期,IGFBP-7′的表达增加可能有利于胚胎植入的发生.     

沙眼衣原体感染对大鼠早期妊娠的影响

目的检测沙眼衣原体(CT)感染后妊娠大鼠子宫内膜热休克蛋白70(HSP70)和整合素α4β1的表达,探讨CT感染对妊娠的影响.方法取正常未孕大鼠、阴道接种CT后妊娠大鼠和正常妊娠大鼠孕4～8d子宫作切片,采用免疫组织化学方法,研究CT感染对早期妊娠子宫HSP70和整合素α4β1表达的影响.结果 HSP70在未孕及妊娠大鼠子宫均有表达,其主要存在于子宫内膜固有层的基质细胞及蜕膜细胞,整合素α4β1存在于内膜上皮、腺上皮和基质细胞.CT感染后(实验组)妊娠大鼠子宫内膜HSP70的阳性表达在孕4～6d较正常妊娠组(对照组)及未孕组明显增强,差异有显著性(P< 0.01);在孕7～8d与对照组相比无明显差异,但强于未孕组.而整合素α4β1的阳性表达在孕4～6d弱于对照组(孕第5d尤为明显),强于未孕组,差异有显著性(P< 0.01).结论 (1)大鼠生殖道感染CT引起胚泡着床期(4～6d)HSP70的高表达,且主要存在于子宫内膜固有层的基质细胞及蜕膜细胞,内膜上皮、腺上皮中未见表达,推测CT生殖道感染可能影响母体子宫内膜蜕膜细胞的增殖,干扰妊娠,引起不孕或流产.(2)生殖道感染CT引起胚泡着床期整合素α4β1的低表达,并与HSP70表达的变化趋势相反,推测CT生殖道感染可影响孕早期胚泡植入,其不良妊娠结果可能通过HSP70与整合素α4β1的共同作用导致.     

早孕小鼠子宫内膜钙网蛋白的表达规律

采用RT-PCR、间接免疫荧光组织化学、Western 印迹及原位杂交技术分别检测未孕(d0)和妊娠d1、d2、d3、d4、d5、d6、d7天小鼠子宫内膜中钙网蛋白(calreticulin, CRT)的表达规律, 探讨CRT在胚胎着床中的作用.结果显示CRT mRNA在妊娠小鼠子宫内膜中的表达明显高于未孕小鼠(P <0.05), 且随着妊娠天数的增加呈逐渐增强的趋势.间接免役荧光组织化学结果显示CRT表达于子宫内膜基质细胞、腺上皮以及腔上皮, 并在妊娠第4、5天基质细胞的胞浆中呈现高峰.实验结果提示, CRT在妊娠早期子宫内膜的持续表达, 可能通过调节整合素介导的细胞信号通路而调节胚胎滋养层细胞的黏附、侵袭, 参与胚胎着床.     

蛋白激酶H11基因在小鼠子宫中的表达及其性激素调节

为研究蛋白激酶H11基因在生殖系统中的作用,我们采用半定量RT-PCR和原位杂交方法,研究了蛋白激酶H11基因在小鼠中的组织特异性表达,在妊娠初始期胚胎植入位点、妊娠期子宫和胎盘以及正常动情周期子宫中的表达及其受性激素的调节。结果发现:蛋白激酶H11基因在小鼠多种组织中都有表达,在卵巢及子宫等一些生殖相关的组织中表达水平较高;妊娠初始期,蛋白激酶H11基因在小鼠子宫内膜植入位点处有明显的高表达,其mRNA定位于腔上皮细胞和基质细胞中。在动情周期中,蛋白激酶H11基因在动情前期子宫中表达水平较低;卵巢切除模型显示雌激素和孕激素均可显著上调蛋白激酶H11基因的表达。以上结果提示蛋白激酶H11可能参与了胚胎植入过程中腔上皮细胞凋亡和基质细胞增殖与蜕膜化以及动情周期小鼠子宫内膜细胞的功能调节[动物学报51(3):462-468,2005]。     

Caveolin-1在围植入期小鼠子宫内膜组织中的动态变化

目的检测caveolin-1在胚胎植入过程中小鼠子宫内膜组织中的表达,探讨其在胚胎植入过程中的作用。方法选择成年雌性昆明小白鼠42只,随机均分为7组(处于动情期的未孕组、妊娠3.5天组、妊娠4.5天组、妊娠5.5天组、妊娠6.5天组、妊娠7.5天组、妊娠9天组),采用免疫组织化学和RT-PCR方法检测子宫内膜组织中caveolin-1蛋白及mRNA水平在围植入期的变化。结果 (1)caveolin-1在胚胎植入前期(0d、3.5d)小鼠子宫内膜组织中的表达高于胚胎植入期(4.5d、5.5d、6.5d),差异有显著性(P<0.05)。(2)caveolin-1在胚胎植入后期(7.5d、9d)小鼠子宫内膜组织中的表达高于胚胎植入期(4.5d、5.5d、6.5d),差异有显著性(P<0.05)。(3)caveolin-1在胚胎植入后期小鼠子宫内膜组织中的表达略高于胚胎植入前期,但差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论 Caveolin-1在胚胎植入前期和后期均高表达,植入期低表达。这种变化提示caveolin-1是影响胚胎植入的重要因素之一。     

MK基因对小鼠子宫基质细胞蜕膜化进程的影响

为探索肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TNF related apoptosis inducing ligand,TRAIL)的死亡受体(mouse killer,MK)对小鼠子宫基质细胞蜕膜化进程的影响,构建MK基因过表达和siRNA干扰重组腺病毒.原代培养的小鼠子宫基质细胞感染MK过表达或者干扰重组腺病毒并诱导蜕膜化,72 h后用免疫细胞化学与流式细胞术分别检测蜕膜细胞的标志物催乳素(prolactin,PRL)与蜕膜细胞凋亡率的变化情况.妊娠d4小鼠子宫角注射MK重组腺病毒,观察胚胎植入点的数量变化.实验结果表明,与对照组相比,在诱导的蜕膜细胞中过表达MK使得催乳素的含量显著降低(P<0.05),同时,蜕膜细胞的凋亡率明显升高(P<0.05),而siRNA干扰之后催乳素的含量显著升高,凋亡率明显下降(P<0.05),但是,宫角注射MK基因过表达和siRNA干扰重组腺病毒之后,胚胎植入数量均显著减少(P<0.01).提示MK基因通过参与小鼠子宫内膜基质细胞的蜕膜化进程,调节蜕膜细胞增殖与凋亡之间的平衡从而影响胚胎的植入.     

细胞周期蛋白D3在兔妊娠早期子宫和胚胎中的表达与调节

利用免疫组织化学及RT—PCR的方法,研究了细胞周期蛋白D3(Cyclin D3)在兔早期妊娠子宫和着床前胚胎中的表达情况,以揭示CyclinD3在兔胚胎着床过程中的可能作用。结果显示：(1)在兔妊娠第3～8天的子宫近肌层的腺上皮中有CyclinD3免疫染色,并且其表达强度在第7天以后呈现下降的趋势,着床的胚胎中未见CyclinD3免疫染色;(2)在第2～5天的假孕兔子宫的腺上皮中有较强的CyclinD3免疫染色;(3)在发情周期的兔子宫中未见其有表达;(4)在切除卵巢的兔中,注射雌激素后子宫中未见CyclinD3免疫染色,注射孕酮后在子宫腺上皮中有CyclinD3免疫染色,在孕酮和雌激素共同处理后的子宫腺上皮中有较强的CyclinD3免疫染色;(5)利用RT—PCR的方法在早期胚胎中均能检测到CyclinD3,但从胚泡期开始表达上升,到扩展胚泡时其表达最强。上述结果表明,CyclinD3的表达可能对兔胚泡的着床具有一定的调节作用。     

着床期小鼠子宫内膜中EGF及其受体转录和表达状况的研究

为探讨表皮生长因子（epidermal growth factor,EGF)在胚泡着床过程中的作用。本文应用原位杂交和免疫组织化学方法,检测了EGE及其受体在胚泡着床前后小鼠子宫内膜中的转录和表达。结果显示：未孕和受精后第4-5天,子宫内膜表面上皮和腺上皮细胞仍呈EGF,EGFR原位杂交和免疫组化阴性着色,受精后第4-5天子宫内膜基质细胞EGF及其受体转录和表达较未孕期增强,受精后第6天,EGF及其受体免疫组化和原位杂交阳性着色主要分布于初级蜕膜带（primary decidual zone,PDZ);随着胚泡植入的进行,PDZ区蜕膜细胞EGF及其受体的转录和表达明显减少,而PDZ周围蜕膜细胞EGF及其受体的转录和表达增强,结果提示,EGF是小鼠胚泡着床过程中的一个重要调节因子。     

Chromosomal assignments of the genes for neuroendocrine convertase PC1 (NEC1) to human 5q15-21, neuroendocrine convertase PC2 (NEC2) to human 20p11.1-11.2, and furin (mouse 7[D1-E2] region).

The chromosomal localization of the genes coding for the pro-protein and pro-hormone convertases PC1, PC2, and Furin has been achieved by in situ hybridization. The genes for PC1 and PC2 were located on human chromosomes 5q15-21 and 20p11.1-11.2, respectively. The gene for Furin was assigned to the mouse chromosome 7D1-7E2 region. These data complete the chromosomal localization of these three convertases in both human and mouse. The results confirm the regional correspondence of the human chromosomes 15 and mouse chromosomes 7, as well as between human chromosome 20 and mouse chromosome 2. Furthermore, the identification of the NEC1 locus on human chromosome 5 and mouse chromosome 13 suggests a conservation of synthenic regions between these regions of the human and mouse genomes.     

The proprotein convertase PC7: unique zymogen activation and trafficking pathways

The zymogen activation mechanism and physiological functions of the most ancient and highly conserved basic amino acid-specific proprotein convertase 7 (PC7) are not known. Herein, we characterized the biosynthesis, subcellular localization, and trafficking of the membrane-bound full-length rat and human PC7. The prosegment of PC7 is primarily secreted alone as a non-inhibitory protein via the conventional, Golgi-dependent, secretory pathway. Mature PC7 is partially sulfated and thus reaches the cell surface via the conventional route. However, a fraction of PC7 reaches the cell surface through a brefeldin A- and COPII-independent unconventional secretory pathway. The latter trafficking may explain the rapid (<10 min) transit of a fraction of PC7 from the ER to the cell surface. Electron microscopy further confirmed the localization of PC7 to the cell surface of HEK293 cells. Within the cytosolic tail, only two cysteines (Cys(699) and Cys(704)) are palmitoylated, but this modification does not affect the choice of trafficking pathway. Swapping the transmembrane-cytosolic tail (TMCT) sequences of the convertases Furin and PC7 revealed that PC7(TMCT-Furin) is much more sulfated and hence traffics more efficiently through the conventional secretory pathway. In contrast, the Furin(TMCT-PC7) is no longer sulfated and thus reaches the cell surface by the unconventional pathway. Because trafficking of PC7(CT-Furin) and Furin(CT-PC7) resemble their wild type counterparts, we deduce that the transmembrane domain of PC7 regulates the sorting of PC7 toward the unconventional secretory pathway. In conclusion, PC7 is distinct from other proprotein convertases in its zymogen activation, subcellular localization, and trafficking.     

Semysinthetic biflavonoid Morelloflavone-7,4′,7″,3‴,4‴-penta-O-butanoyl is a more potent inhibitor of Proprotein Convertases Subtilisin/Kexin PC1/3 than Kex2 and Furin

BackgroundGarcinia brasiliensis is a species native to the Amazon forest. The white mucilaginous pulp is used in folk medicine as a wound healing agent and for peptic ulcer, urinary, and tumor disease treatments. The activity of the proprotein convertases (PCs) Subtilisin/Kex is associated with the development of viral, bacterial and fungal infections, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and neoplastic diseases.MethodsMorelloflavone (BF1) and semisynthetic biflavonoid (BF2, 3 and 4) from Garcinia brasiliensis were tested as inhibitor of PCs Kex2, PC1/3 and Furin, and determined IC₅₀, K_i, human proinflammatory cytokines secretion in Caco-2 cells, mechanism of inhibition, and performed molecular docking studies.ResultsBiflavonoids were more effective in the inhibition of neuroendocrine PC1/3 than mammalian Furin and fungal Kex2. BF1 presented a mixed inhibition mechanism for Kex2 and PC1, and competitive inhibition for Furin. BF4 has no good interaction with Kex2 and Furin since carboxypropyl groups results in steric hindrance to ligand-protein interactions. Carboxypropyl groups of BF4 promote steric hindrance with Kex2 and Furin, but effective in the affinity of PC1/3. BF4 was more efficient at inhibiting PCl/3 (IC₅₀ = 1.13 μM and K_i = 0,59 μM, simple linear competitive mechanism of inhibition) than Kex2, Furin. Also, our results strongly suggested that BF4 also inhibits the endogenous cellular PC1/3 activity in Caco-2 cells, since PC1/3 inhibition by BF4 causes a large increase in IL-8 and IL-1β secretion in Caco-2 cells.ConclusionsBF4 is a potent and selective inhibitor of PC1/3.General significanceBF4 is the best candidate for further clinical studies on inhibition of PC1/3.     

Conceptus-mediated integrity of endometrial epithelial cells and maintenance of relaxin synthesis in pregnant rabbits: effects of unilateral oviduct ligation

A previous study indicated rabbit endometrial relaxin synthesis is stimulated by blastocyst (Lee VH, Fields PA, Biol Reprod 1990; 40:737-745). To evaluate this hypothesis, unilateral oviduct ligations were placed (A) at the oviduct isthmus on Day 1 post-copulation and (B), in a separate group of rabbits, at the infundibulum before copulation. Blastocysts migrate into and implant in the uterine horn contralateral to the ligated oviduct only (conceptus-bearing uterus). The uterine horn ipsilateral to the ligated oviduct will be referred to as the non-conceptus-bearing uterus. Uteri and ovaries were removed on Days 4-28 of pregnancy and were evaluated for relaxin using guinea pig anti-porcine relaxin serum and avidin-biotin light microscopy immunohistochemistry. Results were identical for both models. Blastocysts first attach to the antimesometrial uterine surface by Day 7 post-copulation. Implantation on the mesometrial surface occurs on Days 8-11. Relaxin was observed in antimesometrial endometrial glands of both conceptus and non-conceptus-bearing uteri on Days 4-7 of pregnancy. Beyond Day 7, relaxin was observed in antimesometrial and mesometrial endometrial glandular and luminal epithelial cells at implantation sites of the conceptus-bearing uterus only. Relaxin was not found between implantation sites. Endometrial epithelial cells of the non-conceptus-bearing uterus were regressing by Day 9. These data indicate a conceptus-mediated maintenance of endometrial epithelial cells. Furthermore, the data suggest a paracrine maintenance of epithelial cell integrity and relaxin synthesis since these parameters are preserved only in the conceptus-bearing uterus. Cell-cell communication between conceptus and endometrium appears to be specific since endometrium between implantation sites does not contain relaxin. Uterine tissue from pseudopregnant rabbits (Days 1-16) was evaluated. Relaxin was observed in the antimesometrial glands on Day 7 only. Like the endometrium in the ligation model, endometrial epithelial cells of the pseudopregnant rabbit uterus were regressing by Day 9. These results indicate that pregnancy is not required for, but may enhance, relaxin synthesis. In addition, endometrial epithelial cells regress in the absence of pregnancy. Regression of endometrial epithelial cells on Day 9 suggests that maternal recognition of pregnancy occurs during the preimplantation period (Days 4-8).     

H-Type 1 carbohydrate antigen expression by ovine endometrial cells

Our objective was to determine whether H-Type 1 carbohydrate antigen is expressed by ovine endometrial epithelial cells. Endometrium was obtained from sheep on days (D) 1, 5, 11, 13, and 15 of the estrous cycle or pregnancy and D17 and D19 of pregnancy. Immunofluorescence microscopy of frozen tissue sections revealed intense staining on the apical surface of glandular uterine epithelial (GE) cells from D11 to D17 of pregnancy. Light punctate staining of luminal uterine epithelial (LE) cells was present from D15 to D19 of pregnancy, with isolated areas of intense staining observed only on D15 of pregnancy. There were no noticeable differences in staining patterns on equivalent d of the estrous cycle. Immortalized sheep LE and GE cells were used to determine whether estradiol (E), progesterone (P), or E + P, with or without interferon tau (IFNtau), regulates H-Type 1 antigen expression in vitro. Intermittent punctate surface staining was observed on both cell lines independent of steroid treatment. Treatment with P or IFNtau increased H-Type 1 antigen expression (P < 0.01) and resulted in large aggregates of punctate staining. Domain-specific biotinylation and Western blotting of cell lysates from LE and GE cells were used to identify proteins carrying the H-Type 1 antigen. For both cell types, major immunoreactive apical membrane proteins were detected at 31, 33, 42, 55, 60, and 70 kDa. Therefore, the H-type 1 antigen is expressed mainly on GE cells during pregnancy recognition in utero and up-regulated by P and IFNtau on LE and GE cells in vitro.     

Immunohistochemical localization of prostaglandin synthase in the rat uterus and embryo during the peri-implantation period

Prostaglandins (PGs) appear to have a role in the appearance of the increased uterine vascular permeability and subsequent decidualization observed at implantation in many species. However, the sites of production of these PGs have not been clearly established. To clarify the PG synthetic capacity of the blastocyst and the various types of cells in the uterus at implantation, we have studied the immunohistochemical localization of PG synthase in the rat blastocyst on Days 5 to 7 and uterus on Days 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of pregnancy. Labeling of PG synthase was negligible in the uterus on Day 1 of pregnancy. On Day 4, there was increased labeling in the luminal and glandular epithelium, in stromal cells adjacent to the luminal epithelium, and in blood vessels and some leukocytes. PG synthase was detected in the blastocysts on Days 5 to 7, but there was a gradual loss of label in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells during this period. Early differentiating stromal cells adjacent to the luminal epithelium in the implantation site on Day 5 showed bright labeling, whereas peripheral stromal cells were only slightly labeled. By Day 7, the differentiated cells of the primary decidual zone showed little or no label, but cells in the secondary decidual zone were brightly labeled. These results indicate that PG synthase is present in the rat blastocyst and in several kinds of uterine cells, and that its localization in uterine cells changed markedly during the implantation process.     

Lymphocyte number and distribution in the rat uterine epithelium during estrous cycle and early pregnancy

Summary The number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the uterus of virgin rats was analysed in diestrus, proestrus and estrus, and in nulliparous rats on days 5, 7 and 9 of pregnancy. IEL number was calculated either with respect to the number of epithelial cells or to the length of epithelium section. It was found that in diestrus, the number of IEL was, on average, 3.7 per 100 luminal epithelial cells or 6.7 per 1 mm of epithelium section, whereas in proestrus, it decreased to 0.9 and 1.2 IEL, respectively. On day 5 of pregnancy (before implantation) the number of IEL decreased further to 0.45 per 100 luminal epithelial cells or 0.9 per 1 mm of epithelium. On days 7 and 9 of pregnancy, IEL number further decreased in implantation sites, whereas in interimplantation sites it remained at the level calculated for day 5 of pregnancy. The population of uterine IEL consisted of small (82–99%) and large (1–18%) lymphocytes. In all stages of the estrous cycle, IEL occurred with a frequency of 68–87% in the basal region, 8–20% in the middle region and 4–12% in the apical region of the luminal epithelium width.     

The role of eukaryotic subtilisin-like endoproteases for the activation of human immunodeficiency virus glycoproteins in natural host cells.

Proteolytic activation of the precursor envelope glycoproteins gp160 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and gp140 of HIV-2, a prerequisite for viral infection, results in the formation of gp120/gp41 and gp125/gp36, respectively. Cleavage is mediated by cellular proteases. Furin, a member of the eukaryotic subtilisin family, has been shown to be an activating protease for HIV. Here, we compared the presence of furin and other mammalian subtilisins in lymphatic cells and tissues. Northern blot analyses revealed that furin and the recently discovered protease LPC/PC7 were the only subtilisin-like enzymes transcribed in such cells. Furin was identified as an enzymatically active endoprotease present in different lymphocytic, as well as monocytic, cell lines. When expressed from vaccinia virus vectors, the proprotein convertases were correctly processed, transported, and secreted into the media and enzymatically active. Coexpression of different subtilisins with the HIV envelope precursors revealed that furin and LPC/PC7 are able to cleave HIV-1 gp160. Moreover, both enzymes proteolytically processed the envelope precursor of HIV-2. gp140 was also cleaved to some extent by PC1, which is not, however, present in lymphatic cells. Furin- and LPC/PC7-catalyzed cleavage of HIV-1 gp160 resulted in biologically active envelope protein. In conclusion, among the known members of the subtilisin family, only furin and LPC/PC7 fulfill the requirements of a protease responsible for in vivo activation of HIV envelope glycoproteins.     

Isolation and culture of glandular epithelial and stromal cells from the endometrium of mares.

Glandular epithelial and stromal cells were isolated from the endometrium of mares by collagenase digestion and were incubated on plastic for 7-9 days until the cells formed confluent monolayers. The cells differed in morphology: epithelial cells appeared polyhedral and stromal cells were spindle like. The monolayers were incubated in the presence and absence of oxytocin. Medium was removed from wells after 2, 8 and 24 h of incubation. Concentrations of prostaglandin F (PGF) in the medium increased significantly during this time. Glandular epithelial cells produced significantly more PGF than did stromal cells. Both types of cell responded significantly to oxytocin stimulation by increased secretion of PGF; the response of glandular epithelial cells tended to be greater than that of stromal cells. Secretion of PGF by cultured cells was not affected by cycle stage or pregnancy.