TGF-β在小鼠胎盘中的表达

利用原位杂交和免疫组化的方法对小鼠胎盘中的TGF-β（transform growth factor-β)mRNA和蛋白质进行检测,结果显示：在妊娠第7.5-9.5天,TGF-β主要在子宫蜕膜中表达,而且表达逐渐增强。说明这一时期TGF-β的作用主要是控制滋养层细胞的侵入,这种控制是通过对PA（plasminogenin activotor)和MMP（matrix metalloproteinase)两类主要的细胞外蛋白水解酶的抑制作用来实现的,到妊娠10.5天时,滋养层巨细胞明显表达TGF-βmRNA和蛋白质,这与其功能的转换是一致的,因为此时的滋养层巨细胞体积变大。停止增殖,其功能也从侵入型向内分泌型转换。海绵滋养层细胞从第9.5天开始表达TGF-βmRNA,而TGF-β抗原从第10.5天开始出现,第11.5-12.5天,TGF-βmRNA的表达达到最高,此时的TGF-β的作用是调控胎儿血管的形成,另外,TGF-β对免疫系统有强烈的抑制作用,妊娠中后期海绵滋养层细胞可能通过大量表达TGF-β以调节局部免疫,避免母体对胎儿的免疫排斥。     

MMP—26及其抑制剂—4在正常人细胞滋养层细胞与绒癌细胞系JEG—3中的表达

基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs)及其组织抑制（TIMPs)的平衡对于维持正常生理过程（如胚胎植入）是至关重要的。MMPs和TIMPs之间平衡机制调节的缺失将会导致肿瘤的转移和发展,近年来,MMP－26和TIMP－4相继被克隆鉴定,但是它们的功能,尤其是在正常胎盘建成和绒癌的功能仍属空白,本应用免疫细胞化学,免疫印迹,酶谱分析,RTPCR和Northen blot等方法检测了二在人早孕细胞滋养层细胞（Cyto)和绒癌细胞系JEG－3中的表达,免疫细胞化学和免疫印迹研究显示,MMP－26在JEG－3中的表达显高于在Cyto中的表达,TIMP－4在JEG－3中的表达显高于在Cyto中的表达（P＜0．05）;酶谱分析表明：Cyto中MMP－26水解明胶的活性明显低于JEG－3中MMP－26和TIMP－4的mRNA表达,并且MMP－26 mRNA在JEG－3中的表达显高于在Cyto中的表达（P＜0．05）,以上结果表明,MMP－26和TIMP－4在与正常妊娠和肿瘤转移浸润等有关组织重建过程中起着一定的作用。     

基质金属蛋白酶及其抑制剂mRNA在正常及异位子宫内膜中的表达

目的：观察正常及异位子宫内膜中基质金属蛋白酶－1,－2（MMP－1,－2）和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂－1（TIMP－1）基因表达的变化,以探讨其与子宫内膜异位症的关系。方法：应用原位技术,采用地高辛生物素标记的cDNA探针（MMP－1,MMP－2,TIMP－1）对子宫内膜异位症患者（EM组）的子宫内膜（14例）、异位病灶组织（20例）及非子宫内膜异位症患者（对照组）的子宫内膜（12例）,分3批进行分子杂交检测,结果：3批结果相似。MMP－1,－2,TIMP－1mRNA在腺上皮细胞和间质细胞均有表达,EM组的子宫内膜MMP－1,－2及TIMP－1mRNA表达量与对照组无显著性差异（P＞0．05）,异位病灶组织的MMP－1,－2mRNA表达量明显高于对照组（P＜0．05）,而TIMP－1mRNA表达量则低于对照组（P＜0．05）。结论：子宫内膜异位症患者的异位病灶中,存在MMP－1,－2和TIMP－1明显的平衡失调,这可能与子宫内膜异位症的发生、发展和不孕有关。     

去整合素基质金属蛋白酶19抑制人正常胎盘来源滋养层细胞的侵润能力

去整合素基质金属蛋白酶19(ADAM-19)是新近发现的ADAMs家族成员,在胎盘组织中有较高水平的表达,但其在胎盘发生过程和滋养层细胞侵润中的功能还是未知的.我们以人正常胎盘来源的细胞滋养层细胞(NPC)为体外模型,利用基因转染、RT-PCR、蛋白质印迹、免疫组织化学及细胞侵润分析等手段,证实ADAM-19在人胎盘组织中有特异表达,存在于多种滋养层细胞中;转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)可以显著上调NPC细胞中ADAM-19的表达,呈现剂量依赖性;过表达hADAM-19可使NPC细胞中MMP-9的mRNA和蛋白质表达下调,并降低细胞的侵润能力.研究结果表明,人滋养层细胞中存在ADAM-19表达的旁分泌调节机制,而ADAM-19在调节滋养层细胞侵润中发挥一定作用.这一结果为阐明ADAM-19在胎盘发生中的功能提供了新的科学资料.     

乙型肝炎病毒对HepG2细胞侵袭的影响

目的研究HBV全长对HepG2细胞侵袭相关基因表达及活性的影响,探讨HBV在整体水平对HepG2细胞侵袭的影响。方法采用定量PCR分析HBV对HepG2细胞MMP2、9和TIMP1-4基因转录的影响;通过明胶酶谱及反相明胶酶谱检测MMP2、MMP9及TIMPs的活性;应用体外侵袭小室法检测细胞的侵袭能力。结果HBV的复制可以促进HepG2细胞MMP2、MMP9、TIMP1和TIMP3基因的转录,抑制TIMP4基因转录,增强HepG2细胞MMP2、MMP9的活性并增强细胞中TIMP1、TIMP3功能,HBV稳定复制的细胞具有更强的体外侵袭能力。结论HBV可影响HepG2细胞MMPs和TIMPs的基因转录、表达及功能,促进HepG2细胞的体外侵袭,这可能与HBV相关的HCC侵袭转移密切相关。     

白细胞介素1β对胚泡植入前后子宫基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP2)表达的影响

采用半定量RT-PCR、免疫组化等方法,对处于胚泡植入前后时期SD妊娠大鼠体内注射超生理剂量的白细胞介素1β(IL-1β),检测处理前后妊娠子宫中基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP2)的表达变化,探讨IL-1β对MMP2表达的影响。统计分析结果,妊娠D4及妊娠D9处理组与对照组无明显差异,妊娠D6处理组MMP2表达明显低于对照组(P<0.01);免疫组织化学检测结果,妊娠D4,MMP2主要表达于子宫腔上皮,基质及腺体表达较少;妊娠D6,对照组MMP2表达主要分布于子宫腔上皮,处理组在子宫腔上皮处MMP2表达降低;妊娠D9,MMP2主要表达于子宫蜕膜层。结果表明,妊娠D6,即胚泡植入时,IL-1β可明显抑制子宫腔上皮MMP2的表达。     

ERK1/2信号通路参与人滋养层细胞中转化生长因子-β1对MMP-9表达的抑制作用(英文)

正常滋养层细胞的侵润受转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)的调控。该文研究了人正常细胞滋养层细胞(CTB)中TGF-β1对MMP-2和-9表达的调控。结果表明,TGF-β1抑制CTB细胞中MMP-9mRNA的表达和酶原MMP-9的分泌,但不影响MMP-2 mRNA和蛋白的表达。IL-1β和TGF-β1均能抑制MMP-9 mRNA的表达和酶原MMP-9的分泌,但二者的效应互相拮抗。抑制ERK1/2信号通路导致TGF-β1对MMP-9 mRNA和酶原MMP-9的抑制作用受阻。以上结果表明ERK1/2信号通路参与TGF-β31对人滋养层细胞MMP-9表达的抑制作用。     

MMP-26 在人正常胎盘滋养层细胞中的表达及激活素 A 对其表达的调节

胚胎植入和胎盘形成涉及细胞外基质的降解和重建,以及细胞的增殖、凋亡、迁移和分化,基质金属蛋白酶 (MMPs) 是参与这些事件的主要蛋白水解酶系统 . MMP-26 是近年来发现的 MMPs 家族的新成员,但其功能所知甚少 . 通过半定量 RT-PCR 、免疫组织化学、荧光免疫细胞化学等手段,发现人胎盘中 MMP-26 主要定位于绒毛滋养层细胞,在绒毛间质细胞中也有少量表达 . 妊娠早期,胎盘中 MMP-26 表达水平较高,至妊娠中期降至最低,但在足月胎盘中其表达又有显著提高,提示 MMP-26 可能参与妊娠早期滋养层细胞的侵润和分娩时的胎盘剥离 . 体外培养的妊娠早期人细胞滋养层细胞能产生一定水平的 MMP-26 ,而其表达受到激活素 A 的剂量依赖性刺激,表明滋养层细胞中存在 MMP-26 表达的自分泌 / 旁分泌调节 .     

金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂在心血管疾病发病中的作用

金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂(tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases,TIMPs)由4个成员组成:TIMP1、TIMP2、TIMP3和TIMP4,它们是基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinases,MMPs)的生理性抑制剂.同时它们也具有MMP非依赖的功能.T I ...     

基质金属蛋白酶MMP-26能有效促进人绒毛膜上皮癌细胞JEG-3浸润能力

胚胎植入过程中,滋养层细胞浸润与肿瘤的迁移过程非常相似,但显著的区别在于前者是受严格调控的有节制的浸润,基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)的许多成员在其中起重要的作用.MMP-26是近年来发现的MMPs家族的新成员,它在滋养层细胞中的作用所知甚少.利用国际常用的人滋养层细胞模型——人绒毛膜上皮癌细胞系(JEG-3)作为体外实验模型,探讨MMP-26在人滋养层细胞浸润调节中的作用.将含有MMP-26全长cDNA的pCR3.1质粒转染到JEG-3细胞中,获得过量表达MMP-26基因的稳定细胞系JEG-3/MMP-26;细胞浸润分析表明JEG/MMP-26细胞的浸润能力较母本细胞明显增强;RT-PCR和明胶酶谱分析显示JEG-3/MMP-26细胞中MMP-9的表达和分泌水平提高;双荧光免疫细胞化学进一步显示MMP-26和MMP-9蛋白在细胞中有共定位现象.上述结果表明MMP-26能有效促进人滋养层细胞浸润,其作用可能是通过与其他MMP分子(如MMP-9)的协调来实现的.     

Localization of type I interferon in murine trophoblast and decidua during decidual formation.

Mouse trophoblast and decidua were examined by means of immunohistochemistry to define the localization of type I interferon. The decidua were stained for type I interferon at the time of implantation. The strong reaction was first observed in the primary decidual zone on day 5 and subsequently in the secondary decidual zone on day 6. After day 10, the decidua basalis and decidua capsularis showed a strong reaction. At the one-cell stage, embryos were weakly labelled, but a positive reaction was recognized in compacted morulae. Blastocysts on days 3 and 4 were positive in trophoblast and inner cell mass and a strong reaction was observed in the primitive endoderm on day 4. The visceral endoderm on day 5 and the trophoblast on day 6 were positive. After day 10, the trophoblast giant cells, labyrinth, visceral yolk sac and fetal blood cells gave a positive reaction. This study is the first demonstration of type I interferon localization in situ in mouse trophoblast and decidua during decidual formation.     

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) expression in preeclamptic decidua and MMP9 induction by tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta in human first trimester decidual cells

Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade human decidua via sequential integrin-mediated binding and proteolysis of basement membrane proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM). In preeclampsia, shallow EVT invasion impairs spiral artery and arteriole remodeling to reduce uteroplacental blood flow. Excess decidual cell-expressed matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9, in response to preeclampsia-related interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), may inappropriately degrade these basement membrane proteins and impede EVT invasion. This study found significantly higher immunohistochemical MMP9 levels in decidual cells and adjacent interstitial trophoblasts in placental sections of preeclamptic versus gestational age-matched control women. In contrast, immunostaining for MMP2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP1 and TIMP2) were similar in preeclamptic and control groups. First-trimester decidual cells were incubated with estradiol (E(2)) or E(2) + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), with or without TNF or IL1B. As measured by ELISA, both cytokines elicited concentration-dependent increases in secreted MMP9 levels that were unaffected by MPA. In contrast, secreted levels of MMP2, TIMP1, and TIMP2 were unchanged in all treatment groups. Substrate gel zymography and Western blotting confirmed that each cytokine increased secreted levels of MMP9 but not MMP2. Similarly, quantitative RT-PCR found that TNF and IL1B enhanced MMP9, but not MMP2, mRNA levels. At the implantation site, inflammatory cytokine-enhanced MMP9 may promote preeclampsia by disrupting the decidual ECM to interfere with normal stepwise EVT invasion.     

Regulated temporal and spatial expression of the calcium-binding proteins calcyclin and OPN (osteopontin) in mouse tissues during pregnancy.

In situ hybridization and northern/slot blot analyses were used to quantify the expression of calcyclin (2A9, 5B10), osteopontin (opn, secreted phosphoprotein, 2ar) and calmodulin mRNAs in mouse tissues that support pregnancy. High-to-moderate levels of the mRNAs of all three genes were detected at discrete locations in the uterus, decidua and placenta as a function of gestation time. Calmodulin expression was constant in these tissues; calcyclin mRNA was high during early pregnancy and declined after day 8-9 of gestation; and opn mRNA was undetectable before day 7, with maximal levels on days 9-12 in each of these tissues. Calcyclin, but not opn, expression was also observed in the chorioamnion after day 12. Calcyclin was expressed throughout the decidua on day 8 but became restricted to the primary (antimesometrial) decidual zone and decidua lateralis on day 9, and the decidua capsularis after day 9. By contrast, opn mRNA was localized on day 9 to the mesometrial triangle, which contains a large population of granulated metrial gland cells, and to the decidua basalis. These two genes may serve as markers for the two types of decidual tissue. We suggest that one function of OPN, which may be an indicator of cells in the decidua that have a bone marrow genealogy, is to mediate the flux of calcium from the maternal circulation to the developing embryo.     

Apoptosis in uterine epithelium and decidua in response to implantation: evidence for two different pathways

During the initial steps of implantation, the mouse uterine epithelium of the implantation chamber undergoes apoptosis in response to the interacting blastocyst. With progressing implantation, regression of the decidual cells allows a restricted and coordinated invasion of trophoblast cells into the maternal compartment. In order to investigate pathways of apoptosis in mouse uterine epithelium and decidua during early pregnancy (day 4.5–7.0 post coitum), we have investigated different proteins such as TNFalpha, TNF receptor1, Fas ligand, Fas receptor1, Bax and Bcl2 as well as caspase-9 and caspase-3 using immunohistochemistry. To detect cells undergoing apoptosis the Tunel assay was performed. Immunoreactivity for TNFalpha as well as for TNF receptor1 was observed exclusively in the epithelium of the implantation chamber and the adjacent luminal epithelium from day 4.5 post coitum onwards. In the developing decidua the Fas ligand, but not the Fas receptor, was expressed. Bax and Bcl2 revealed a complementary expression pattern with Bax in the primary and Bcl2 in the adjacent decidual zone. Strong immunolabelling for the initiator caspase-9 was restricted to the decidual compartment, whereas caspase-3 expression characterized the apoptotic uterine epithelium. Only some caspase-3 positive decidual cells were found around the embryo which correlated to the pattern of Tunel staining. Taken together, the apoptotic degeneration of the uterine epithelium seems to be mediated by TNF receptor1 followed by caspase-3, whereas the very moderate regression of the decidua did not show the investigated death receptor, but Bax and Blc2 instead and in addition caspase-9, which indicates a different regulation for epithelial versus decidual apoptosis.     

Induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2beta, a cysteine protease inhibitor in decidua: a potential regulator of embryo implantation

During early pregnancy, the steroid hormone progesterone induces differentiation of uterine stroma to decidual cells, which regulate embryo-uterine interactions. The progesterone-induced signaling molecules that participate in the formation and function of decidua remain poorly understood. We recently utilized high-density oligonucleotide microarrays to identify several genes whose expression is markedly altered in pregnant uterus in response to RU486, a well characterized antagonist of the progesterone receptor (PR). Our study revealed that the gene encoding cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2beta (CTLA-2beta), a cysteine protease inhibitor, is expressed during PR-induced decidualization. The spatio-temporal expression of CTLA-2beta mRNA precisely overlapped with the decidual phase of pregnancy. Interestingly, administration of progesterone to estrogen-primed ovariectomized mice failed to induce CTLA-2beta expression. A concomitant artificial decidual stimulation was necessary to trigger this expression. Uteri of PR knockout mice failed to express this mRNA, even after a combined administration of steroid hormones and artificial stimulation. The uterine expression of CTLA-2beta was, therefore, dependent on PR as well as other unknown factor(s) associated with decidual response. To identify the molecular target(s) of CTLA-2beta,we analyzed its interaction with proteins present in soluble extracts prepared from day 7 pregnant uteri containing implanted embryos. A protein affinity strategy employing recombinant CTLA-2beta helped us to determine that cathepsin L, a cysteine protease, is one of its targets in the pregnant uterus. Consistent with this finding, expression of cathepsin L was detected in the giant trophoblast cells of the ectoplacental cone on day 7 of pregnancy. Collectively, our results support the hypothesis that expression of CTLA-2beta in the decidua may regulate implantation of the embryo by neutralizing the activities of one or more proteases generated by the proliferating trophoblast.     

Murine T cell determination of pregnancy outcome.

At the fetomaternal interface, maternal effector cells come in intimate contact with fetal trophoblast cells which express paternal antigens. Failure of fetal trophoblast cells to activate maternal Th1 immune responses has been attributed in part to the absence of classical Class I and Class II major histocompatibilty complex (MHC) antigen expression and elaboration of factors which reduce TcR expression and shift any immune responses which may occur to Th2. Classical TcR alphabeta(+) T cells have not been found to be able to respond to trophoblasts. Recently, TcR gammadelta(+) T cells have been characterized in the low-abortion-rate pregnant C57Bl/10 mouse decidua, and the Vgamma1(+) subset may be able to respond to trophoblasts in a non-MHC-dependent manner. Trophoblast-recognizing T cells with Vgamma1 receptors are also present in the decidua of CBA/J mice pregnant by DBA/2, an abortion-prone mating combination. To test the role of the Vgamma1 subset of decidual gammadelta T cells in abortion-prone pregnancies, we altered this subset by injecting monoclonal anti-Vgamma1.1 antibody on gestation day 5.5, 1 day after implantation. This reduced detectability of a Vgammadelta subset producing TNF-alpha and reduced the abortion rate. Anti-Vgamma2, which reacts with a similar proportion of decidual gammadelta T cells as anti-Vgamma1.1, failed to prevent abortions. Vdelta6.3(+) cells are prominent at the fetomaternal interface, and anti-Vdelta6 antibody injected on day 5.5 prevented abortions. TGF-beta2(+) gammadelta cells first appear on day 8.5 of pregnancy; anti-Vgamma1.1 antibody injection on day 8.5 depleted these cells and boosted abortions; anti-Vdelta6.3 given on day 8.5 boosted abortions to the same level. These results suggest that two populations of Vgamma1.1(+)delta6.3(+) T cells may arise in the decidua: an early population that is Th1, abortogenic, and present during the time of implantation, and a Th2/3 cell subset that is present in the decidua later during pregnancy and which is pregnancy-protective.