Ultrastructural epithelial zonation of the primate endometrium (rhesus monkey)

The uterine endometrium of menstruating primates (rhesus monkey, human) consists of a germinal basalis that regenerates a transient functionalis during each menstrual cycle. The endometrium is further subdivided into 4 zones that differ histologically and in epithelial mitotic rate along the longitudinal axes of the uterine glands and microvasculature (Bartelmez et al: Contrib. Embryol. Carnegie Inst., 34:99-146, 1951; Bartelmez: Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 74:931-955, 1957; Padykula et al.: Biol. Reprod., 32:1103-1118, 1118, 1984; Biol. Reprod., in press, 1988). The zones are defined as follows: functionalis I, luminal epithelium; functionalis II (upper straight gland segments); basalis III (middle gland segments), and basalis IV (bottoms of the glands). The surrounding stroma and microvasculature also differ zonally. Ultrastructural epithelial differences are evident among the 4 zones during 3 distinct functional states during natural menstrual cycles and after ovariectomy: 1) basal level after ovariectomy and 2) estrogen dominance and 3) progesterone dominance. Zonal structural differences persist at a minimal level of differentiation after ovariectomy and thus zonation is an inherent property. During estrogen dominance, distinctive ultrastructural differences are evident among the 4 zones, such as epithelial cell heterogeneity in functionalis I and homogeneity in functionalis II. Also a distinctive glandular cell type occurs in basalis III and IV that is recognized by a highly irregular cisternal rough endoplasmic reticulum that permeates the cytoplasm. During progesterone dominance, ultrastructural differences exist among the 4 zones except for similarity between the epithelial cells of functionalis II and basalis III. Postovulatory epithelial cells of functionalis I and II and basalis III become postmitotic via progesterone inhibition but intracellular differentiation continues progressively. Postovulatory epithelial mitotic activity in basalis IV escapes progesterone inhibition as the [3H]thymidine labeling index continues to increase from 1 to 12% during the menstrual cycle (Padykula et al.: Reprod., 30(Suppl.1):92 (Abstr. 123), 1984). This post-ovulatory proliferation coupled with progressive differentiation in basalis IV may represent a stem-progenitor set of cells for postmenstrual endometrial regeneration or alternatively for creation of the maternal placenta.     

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.     

The basalis of the primate endometrium: a bifunctional germinal compartment

Radioautographic analysis of epithelial and stromal cell proliferation in the primate endometrial functionalis and basalis (rhesus monkey) has identified horizontal zonal patterns of mitotic activation and inhibition during natural menstrual cycles. At 1 h after a single i.v. injection of [3H]thymidine, mitotic activity in endometrial biopsies (hysterotomy) was determined on 9 days from the late proliferative to the late luteal phase (-2 days to + 14 days relative to the estrogen [E2]peak). Labeling indices (LIs) were determined within glandular segments of the 4 horizontal endometrial zones: Transient functionalis Zone I (luminal epithelium) and Zone II (uppermost gland); Germinal basalis: Zone III (middle gland) and Zone IV (basal gland). The size of the dividing epithelial populations (LI) differed zonally. During E2 dominance (-2 days to +3 days), the epithelial LIs of functionalis I (10 +/- 0.3%) and II (9.8 +/- 1.0%) were greater than those of basalis III (5.8 +/- 0.2%) and basalis IV (3.7 +/- 0.8%). During progesterone (P) dominance (+5 days to +14 days), epithelial mitosis was strongly inhibited in functionalis I (4.3 +/- 1.9%), functionalis II (0.8 +/- 0.2%), and basalis III (1.4 +/- 0.5%). Thus germinal basalis III was linked functionally with transient functionalis I and II by periovulatory uniformity in epithelial proliferation and postovulatory mitotic inhibition. A unique mitotic pattern set basalis IV apart from other zones by a steady rise in LI from 1% (-2 days) to 11% (+10 days). The LIs for stromal fibroblasts remained quite uniform in basalis IV but varied in other zones. Thus the postovulatory primate basalis was a distinct bipartite compartment in which the mitotic rate in basalis IV glandular epithelium increased steadily whereas that of basalis III was strongly inhibited. The remarkable enhancement of epithelial mitotic activity in basalis IV may reflect expansion of the stem-progenitor cell population for gestational growth or for post-menstrual regeneration.     

Progesterone-dependent expression of keratinocyte growth factor mRNA in stromal cells of the primate endometrium: keratinocyte growth factor as a progestomedin

In vitro studies have shown that keratinocyte growth factor (KGF, also known as FGF-7) is secreted by fibroblasts and is mitogenic specifically for epithelial cells. Therefore, KGF may be an important paracrine mediator of epithelial cell proliferation in vivo. Because stromal cells are thought to influence glandular proliferation in the primate endometrium, we investigated the hormonal regulation and cellular localization of KGF mRNA expression in the rhesus monkey uterus. Tissues were obtained both from naturally cycling monkeys in the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle, and from spayed monkeys that were either untreated or treated with estradiol (E2) alone, E2 followed by progesterone (P), E2 plus P, or E2 plus P plus an antiprogestin (RU 486). Northern blot analysis of total RNA with 32P- labeled probes revealed that the level of KGF mRNA in the endometrium was 70-100-fold greater in the luteal phase or after P treatment than in untreated, E2-treated, or follicular phase animals. Northern analysis also showed that KGF mRNA was present in the myometrium but was unaffected by hormonal state. RU 486 treatment prevented the P- induced elevation of endometrial KGF mRNA. P-dependent elevation of endometrial KGF expression was confirmed by measurement of KGF protein in tissue extracts using a two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In situ hybridization with nonradioactive digoxigenin-labeled cDNA probes revealed that the KGF mRNA signal, which was present only in stromal and smooth muscle cells, was substantially increased by P primarily in the stromal cells located in the basalis region. Smooth muscle cells in the myometrium and the walls of the spiral arteries also expressed KGF mRNA, but the degree of this expression did not differ with hormonal state. P treatment led to increased proliferation in the glandular epithelium of the basalis region and to extensive growth of the spiral arteries. We conclude that the P-dependent increase in endometrial KGF resulted from a dual action of P: (a) a P- dependent induction of KGF expression in stromal cells, especially those in the basalis (zones III and IV), and (b) a P-dependent increase in the number of KGF-positive vascular smooth muscle cells caused by the proliferation of the spiral arteries. KGF is one of the first examples in primates of a P-induced, stromally derived growth factor that might function as a progestomedin.     

水稻条纹病毒胁迫下灰飞虱基因的差异表达

水稻条纹病毒(rice stripe virus, RSV)主要由介体昆虫灰飞虱Laodelphax striatellus以循回增殖型方式经卵传播, 目前RSV与灰飞虱间的互作研究很少。为了研究RSV侵染对灰飞虱基因表达的影响, 采用5条随机引物和3条锚定引物, 利用mRNA差异显示(differential display RT-PCR, DDRT-PCR)技术分析了带毒和无毒灰飞虱种群基因表达差异。且利用正交实验优化了DDRT-PCR反应体系中的模板浓度、锚定引物浓度、随机引物浓度、dNTPs浓度、镁离子浓度及Taq酶用量。结果表明: 最佳DDRT-PCR体系(25 μL)为cDNA 3.0 μg, 随机引物2.0 μmol/L, 锚定引物2.5 μmol/L, dNTPs 200 μmol/L, Mg²⁺ 2.0 μmol/L, Taq 酶2.0 U。mRNA差异显示共获得35条差异片段, 选取其中6条经RNA斑点杂交验证, 获得了4条阳性差异片段。其中3条阳性片段为带毒灰飞虱种群特异表达, 分别与5-羟色胺受体1D、 旋转酶B、 60S核蛋白L40高度同源, 无毒灰飞虱种群中特异表达的一条阳性片段在NCBI核酸数据库中比对无同源序列。DDRT-PCR优化体系的建立及部分差异片段的获得为进一步研究灰飞虱与RSV间的互作提供了帮助。     

Basally located epithelial cell surface component identified by a novel monoclonal antibody technique

Tubular aggregates of glandular epithelial cells (gland fragments) were isolated from human endometrium by collagenase digestion of surrounding stroma, thus exposing the basal surfaces of the cells. Using these aggregates as immunogen, monoclonal antibodies could be derived that recognized basally located antigens. One such antibody, G71, is described, that binds to a basal epithelial cell antigen present in a variety of human epithelia. Epitope-bearing molecules in the range Mr 60 000-180 000 are present in two of the tissues studied, amnion and endometrium. The epitope is associated with areas of epithelial cell-extracellular matrix contact.     

Estrogen-dependent and cell-specific regulation of gene expression in RUCA-I endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

Estrogens are believed to play a crucial role in growth regulation and differentiation of the normal endometrial tissue as well as in the carcinogenesis of the endometrium. Therefore, the influence of estrogens and antiestrogens on gene expression in the estrogen receptor-positive rat endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line RUCA-I was investigated. Differentially expressed genes were detected by differential display PCR of RNA of untreated, estradiol-treated and antiestrogen-treated RUCA-I cells. By means of the PCR technique, 14 differentially expressed fragments could be detected. Three of these 14 differentially expressed fragments were confirmed by Northern blotting. The steady state mRNA levels of the three gene fragments named AH41, AH42 and AH44 were downregulated by the antiestrogen ICI 164384. Further characterization revealed that the fragment AH41 is not expressed in stromal cells but in the human and rodent epithelial cell lines, BG-1 and RUCA-II. A comparison of the cDNA sequence of fragment AH41 with the EMBL database showed no high homology to known genes. Therefore, fragment AH41 has to be regarded as a fragment of a novel, estradiol-sensitive gene.     

Differential expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in healthy and infected canine endometrium

This study provides the first report into immunohistochemical localization of Toll-like receptor (TLR) in the canine reproductive tract. TLR4 was investigated in endometrium during the estrous cycle and in pyometra. Pyometra is the most important pathological condition of the uterus due to bacterial infection in dogs. To protect against invading pathogens, the female reproductive tract has evolved immune mechanisms. TLRs are the cellular components of the afferent arm of the innate immune system. The expression of TLR4 was significantly higher in the endometrial stroma compared to the endometrial surface epithelium and glandular epithelium in proestrus. The glandular epithelium and stroma at the diestrous stage expressed TLR4 significantly higher than surface epithelium. Furthermore, when compared to other healthy groups, the glandular epithelium at diestrus also higher expressed TLR4 than other stages. The expression of TLR4 in the surface epithelium was higher in dogs with pyometra compared with all other groups. And, the surface epithelium of dogs suffering from pyometra also expressed TLR4 more intensely than the glandular epithelium. The innate immunity of infected canine endometrium response to bacterial infection is intensely extremely increased by the expression of TLR4. Furthermore, the different levels of TLR4 expression seems related to physiological changes in distinct cell types of endometrium, leukocytes populations, cytokines and sex hormones.     

Immunocytochemical analysis of oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in the human uterus throughout the menstrual cycle and after the menopause.

To obtain more insight into the relationship between cyclic and regional changes in steroid receptor expression and function-related changes in the various types of cell of the normal human uterus, we performed an immunocytochemical study on paraffin-embedded sections. The distribution and intensity of immunostaining for the oestrogen receptor and the progesterone receptor in the various types of cell were semiquantitatively scored. The data were statistically compared for the different phases of the menstrual cycle and after the menopause, and for the different regions of the corpus and (endo)cervix uteri. During the menstrual cycle, significant changes in oestrogen receptor score were observed in glandular and stromal cells of endometrium basalis and functionalis and in smooth muscle cells of the myometrium. In all types of cell, oestrogen receptor expression reached a maximum in the late proliferative phase. During the early secretory phase, oestrogen receptor staining declined sharply in stromal and smooth muscle cells, whereas, in glandular epithelium, oestrogen receptor expression decreased more gradually. During mid- and late-secretory phases, an increase in oestrogen receptor staining was also observed in predecidualizing stromal cells and smooth muscle cells. Progesterone receptor numbers changed significantly in glandular epithelium but not in stromal and smooth muscle cells. Glandular progesterone receptor expression reached a maximum in the early secretory phase and was then drastically reduced. During mid- and late-secretory phases stromal cells were moderately stained for progesterone receptor in contrast to epithelial gland cells which showed no or very weak staining. No regional variations in steroid receptor distribution in endometrium and myometrium were found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunolocalization of adipocytes and prostaglandin E2 and its four receptor proteins EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 in the caprine cervix during spontaneous term labor

The mechanisms of cervical ripening and dilation in mammals remain obscure. Information is lacking about the localization of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2))-producing cells and PGE(2) receptors (EP) in intrapartum cervix and whether cervical dilation at parturition is an active process. To reveal these mechanisms, immunolocalization of EP1-EP4 (official gene symbols PTGER1-PTGER4) and PGE(2)-producing cells in caprine cervix during nonpregnancy, pregnancy, and parturition was assayed by immunohistochemistry (IHC); the mRNA expression levels of PTGS2, PTGER2 (EP2), and PTGER4 (EP4) were determined using quantitative PCR; and the existence of adipocytes in the cervix at various stages was demonstrated with Oil Red O staining and IHC of perilipin A. The results suggested that in intrapartum caprine cervix staining of the PGE(2) was observed in the overall tissues, for example, blood vessels, canal or glandular epithelia, serosa, circular and longitudinal muscles, and stroma in addition to adipocytes; EP2 was detectable in all the tissues other than glandular epithelia; EP4 was strongly expressed in all the tissues other than serosa; EP1 was detected mainly in arterioles and canal or glandular epithelia; and EP3 was poorly expressed only in stroma, canal epithelia, and circular muscles. Little or no expression of EP2, EP3, and EP4 as well as PGE(2) in all cervical tissues was observed during nonpregnancy and pregnancy except for the strong expression of EP1 in canal or glandular epithelia during pregnancy. The mRNA expression levels of PTGS2, PTGER2, and PTGER4 were significantly higher in intrapartum than nonpregnant and midpregnant cervices (P < 0.01). Adipocytes appear only in the intrapartum cervix. These results support the concept that PGE(2) modulates specific functions in various anatomical structures of the caprine cervix at labor and the appearance of adipocytes at labor is likely related to caprine cervical dilation.     

外加紫杉醇对悬浮培养东北红豆杉细胞的诱导效应

研究表明外加紫杉醇能够诱导悬浮培养的东北红豆杉(Taxus cuspidata)细胞总DNA发生梯带化降解。利用mRNA差异显示技术比较了紫杉醇诱导凋亡与不诱导凋亡的东北红豆杉细胞基因表达的差异,得到了8个特异表达的cDNA克隆,经Northern杂交证实其中3个在不发生凋亡的细胞中表达,5个在凋亡的细胞中表达。对这8个cDNA克隆单向序列测定后,与GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ中同源序列进行了比较,结果表明：1个cDNA片段与拟南芥中ABA应答蛋白基因的保守区有86%的同源性;2个cDNA片段与番茄内切壳聚糖酶前体基因的保守区有50%的同源性;其他5个cDNA片段无明显的同源基因,可能是新基因。