哺乳动物滋养层细胞在胚胎植入中的作用

胚胎植入是哺乳动物生殖的关键环节,是一个非常复杂的过程.在胚胎植入过程中,多种着床相关因子、激素在母体-胚胎之间进行多重作用,引发复杂的生理作用,从而完成胚胎着床.在母体-胚胎界面上,胎源性滋养层细胞与母体子宫内膜细胞在信号联系（妊娠识别）和组织紧密连接（胚胎植入）过程中起着决定性作用,尤其是胚源性滋养层细胞,在胚胎植入过程中起主导作用.本文通过对滋养层细胞在胚胎植入中的作用的阐述,为进一步阐明胚胎植入的分子机制提供思路.     

人类胚胎对植入的调控

胚胎植入是一个十分复杂的过程,需要胚泡和子宫内膜之间的协同作用。植入过程中,胚泡和内膜之间的通讯和相互作用仍是生殖医学领域中尚未解决的问题。最近的研究取得了一些进展,发现在人类胚胎植入的定位和粘会过程中,胚胎能对子宫内膜上皮的分子,如趋化因子,粘附分子,抗粘附分子和瘦素进行旁分泌调控。     

胚胎植入的调控机理

胚胎植入对于妊娠的建立和维持至关重要,需要活化的胚泡和接受态的子宫之间进行同步。在辅助生殖技术中,子宫接受态的判断仍是制约妊娠率的一个关键限制性因素。已有数据显示,胚胎植入涉及一系列信号分子的激活和失活,进而影响子宫腔上皮细胞的增殖与分化、上皮极性、宫腔闭合、胚胎定位、上皮基质反应、腺体发育等。本文就雌激素、孕酮、白血病抑制因子(leukemia inhibitory factor, LIF)、microRNA (miRNA)、通道蛋白、信号转导通路等在胚胎植入过程中的作用及其调控网络作一综述,以期为不孕症的治疗及安全有效的避孕药开发提供理论依据。     

胚胎的宫内和异位植入

胚胎植入是一个十分复杂的过程, 被认为是调控女性生育和发展避孕方法最理想的靶点和关键薄弱环节. 近几年, 该领域研究取得一定进展. 然而, 临床上的异位植入对胚胎正常植入的许多理论问题, 特别是对所谓的子宫“特异植入窗口”和子宫内膜-胚胎“特异对话”的概念提出了挑战. 在腹腔异位妊娠病例中, 少部分比例的妇女能完成全部妊娠过程, 生下发育正常的婴儿, 引起生殖生物学家的特别兴趣. 异位植入的事实表明, 对胚胎植入起决定作用的基因或分子可能不是来自母体, 而是来自胚胎, 母体组织只提供了胚胎发育的载体. 在加强正常和异常情况下胚胎植入细胞和分子生物学研究的基础上, 寻找和确定控制着床的内源和外源关键特异分子, 可为有效发展新一代抗胚胎植入特异避孕药物及寻找诊断和治疗异位妊娠提供理论依据.     

小鼠植入前胚胎致密化与囊胚形成的分子调控

哺乳动物胚胎植入前的发育中致密化和囊胚形成分别标志着第一次、第二次细胞分化（即细胞命运决定）的起始,是胚胎正常发育的必要条件。因此对影响致密化和囊胚形成的蛋白及调节因子的研究尤为重要。本文探讨了与致密化相关的细胞黏附蛋白、连接蛋白、细胞骨架等分子和囊胚形成相关的紧密连接蛋白、钠钾三磷酸腺苷激酶等分子的一系列调控,以及致密化和囊胚形成在细胞命运决定中的重要作用。     

未性成熟雌性小鼠孕前砷暴露导致植入前胚胎体外发育阻滞

目前研究发现妊娠期环境砷暴露可以导致其后代发育异常如不孕不育、流产、早产、胎儿生长受限、子代先天畸形及性别比例失调等生殖健康问题,而对孕前砷暴露对植入前胚胎发育的影响的研究还不充分.我们选用3-5周龄雌性未性成熟小鼠,按8mg/Kg亚砷酸钠（NaAsO2）剂量隔日腹腔注射一次,共注射8次.结果显示：孕前砷暴露导致小鼠排卵能力明显下降,植入前胚胎大部分阻滞在1-2细胞期.同时发现这些阻滞的胚胎活性氧（ROS）水平明显升高,细胞色素C明显释放,细胞凋亡率明显升高.这些结果说明孕前砷暴露十分危害随后植入前胚胎的发育,这也预示着孕前砷暴露将有可能导致育龄妇女受孕困难.     

人类胚胎干细胞分化过程中DPPA2基因的表达情况分析(英文)

DPPA2(Developmental Pluripotency-Associated gene2)是近年来发现的在多能性细胞中特异表达的一个基因,它被认为参与维持干细胞的"干性".但目前为止,并没有关于该基因在人类胚胎干细胞(human embryonic stem cells,hESCs)分化过程中的表达情况的报道,其功能也尚不清楚.通过Real-time PCR对DPPA2基因在hESCs分化过程中的表达情况进行分析,此外还对其在异常核型hESCs,人类胚胎癌细胞(human embryonic carcinoma cells,hECCs)NTERA-2以及其它5种癌细胞中的表达情况进行检测.结果表明DPPA2基因在hESCs中特异表达,其表达水平随着hESCs的分化而显著下调.该基因在异常核型hESCs和NTERA-2细胞中也有表达,但在其它肿瘤细胞中未检测到该基因的表达.此外,以EGFP-N1系统为基础的亚细胞信号定位结果表明,DPPA2是一个核蛋白.这些结果提示,DPPA2基因可能在维持hESCs特性的过程中发挥着重要的作用.     

促性腺激素释放激素类似物对长臀(鱼危)脑垂体促性腺激素分泌的影响

采用离体灌流孵育技术和促性腺激素的放射免疫测定方法,对长臀(鱼危)(Cranoglanis bouderius)脑垂体碎片促性腺激素的分泌进行了研究.结果表明:持续的促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRH-A)能显著刺激退化期的长臀(鱼危)离体脑垂体碎片促性腺激素(GTH)的分泌,并且长臀(鱼危)脑垂体碎片对持续的GnRH-A刺激未表现出脱敏性,该结果与胡子鲇和鲇鱼相似,而与金鱼和鲤科鱼类不同;重复脉冲GnRH-A刺激对长臀(鱼危)脑垂体碎片GTH分泌具有促进作用,而且存在剂量依存关系,与鲇鱼和鲤科鱼类相类似.上述结果表明在长臀(鱼危)的人工繁殖中可以用持续高浓度GnRH-A刺激对长臀(鱼危)进行催熟和催产.     

小鼠单个植入前胚胎SSH方法的可行性

为建立一种能够一次性分离任意两个植入前胚胎之间全部的差别表达的基因的方法 ,在已有的单胚胎操作技术的基础之上 ,对单个植入前胚胎抑制性消减杂交 (singlepreimplantationembryosuppressionsubtractivehybridization ,SPE SSH)方法进行了初步的探索 ,分离到OM2和MⅡ d 2的基因片段 ,经GenBank和文献检索发现 ,这两个基因具有在MⅡ期和 2细胞期特异性表达的特点 .利用cDNA阵列所进行的鉴定也获得了同样的结果 ,而且所使用的材料极少 ,说明SPE SSH是一种强有力的分离和识别早期发育相关基因片段的实验技术 .若与单个卵裂球分离技术相结合 ,还可用于分离和识别人类早期分子诊断的标记性基因     

S100 protein family and embryo implantation

It is well known that embryo implantation is a critical process in which embryo should be able to reach and attach to endometrium. Until now, various types of factors are involved in the regulation of this process. S100 proteins are calcium-binding proteins, which have vital roles in embryo implantation and have been considered as possible candidate markers for endometrial receptivity. However, studies regarding mode of actions of these proteins are scarce and more mechanistic insights are needed to clarify exact roles of each one of the S100 protein family. Understanding of function of these proteins in different compartments, stages, and phases of endometrium, could pave the way for conducting studies regarding the therapeutic significance of these proteins in some disorders such as recurrent implantation failure. In this review, we outlined roles and possible underlying mechanisms of S100 protein family in embryo implantation.     

Embryotrophic effects of extracellular vesicles derived from outgrowth embryos in pre‐ and peri‐implantation embryonic development in mice

Recently, many studies have investigated the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) on reproductive events, including embryo development and death, oviduct–embryo crosstalk, in vitro fertilization and others. The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether outgrowth embryo–derived EVs function as bioactive molecules and regulate mouse embryonic developmental competence in vitro and implantation potential in utero. The EVs from mouse outgrowth embryos on 7.5 days postcoitum were detected and selectively isolated to evaluate the embryotrophic functions on preimplantation embryos. Developmental outcomes such as the percentage of blastocyst formation, hatching, and trophoblastic outgrowth were assessed. Furthermore, the total cell number and apoptotic index of blastocysts, which were incubated with EVs during the culture period, were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Implantation potential in utero was investigated following embryo transfer. The EVs from outgrowth embryo–conditioned media have rounded membrane structures that range in diameter from 20 to 225 nm. Incubation with EVs improved preimplantation embryonic development by increasing cell proliferation and decreasing apoptosis in blastocysts. Moreover, the implantation rates following embryo transfer were significantly higher in EV–supplemented embryos compared with the control. Collectively, EVs from outgrowth embryo could enhance the embryonic developmental competence and even implantation potential in mice.     

Cell adhesion in embryo morphogenesis

Visualizing and analyzing shape changes at various scales, ranging from single molecules to whole organisms, are essential for understanding complex morphogenetic processes, such as early embryonic development. Embryo morphogenesis relies on the interplay between different tissues, the properties of which are again determined by the interaction between their constituent cells. Cell interactions, on the other hand, are controlled by various molecules, such as signaling and adhesion molecules, which in order to exert their functions need to be spatiotemporally organized within and between the interacting cells. In this review, we will focus on the role of cell adhesion functioning at different scales to organize cell, tissue and embryo morphogenesis. We will specifically ask how the subcellular distribution of adhesion molecules controls the formation of cell-cell contacts, how cell-cell contacts determine tissue shape, and how tissue interactions regulate embryo morphogenesis.     

Endothelins and their receptors in embryo implantation

As a critical stage of pregnancy, the implantation of blastocysts into the endometrium is a progressive, excessively regulated local tissue remodeling step involving a complex sequence of genetic and cellular interplay executed within an optimal time frame. For better understanding the causes of infertility and, more importantly, for developing powerful strategies for successful implantations and combating infertility, an increasing number of recent studies have been focused on the identification and study of newly described substances in the reproductive tree. The endothelins (ET), a 21-aminoacidic family of genes, have been reported to be responsible for the contraction of vascular and nonvascular smooth muscles, including the smooth muscles of the uterus. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively discuss the physiological role of endothelins and signaling through their receptors, as well as their probable involvement in the implantation process.     

Cell adhesion molecules in human osteoblasts: structure and function

Osteoblasts and bone lining cells form a near continuous layer covering the bone surface and interactions between these cells and the organic matrix of bone are important determinants of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. In addition, cells of the osteoblast-lineage form functional communications with each other, with the extra-cellular matrix and with osteocytes through cytoplasmic processes extending through canaliculi in the bone. Together, these cells form a network of putative importance in the regulation of skeletal homeostasis. Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are mediated by members of several families of cell adhesion molecules, and knowledge of their interactions will be of fundamental importance in understanding the role of osteoblast in skeletal turnover. Here, the expression pattern of members of the major families of cell adhesion molecules by cells of the osteoblast lineage is reviewed. Special emphasis has been placed on human tissues. In addition, the possibility that cells at progressive stages of the osteoblast lineage have different profiles of cell adhesion molecule expression is explored, and the putative significance of cell-matrix interactions in human skeletal disease briefly discussed.     

Effects of anandamide on embryo implantation in the mouse

Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine), an arachidonic acid derivative, is an endogenous ligand for both the brain-type (CB1-R) and spleen-type (CB2-R) cannabinoid receptors. To investigate the possible effects of anandamide on embryo implantation in the mouse, we used a co-culture system in which mouse embryos are cultured with a monolayer of uterine epithelial cells. Our results indicate that 14 nM anandamide significantly promotes the attachment and outgrowth of the blastocysts on the monolayer of uterine epithelial cells, and those effects could be blocked by CB1-R antagonists SR141716A, but not by SR144528, a CB2-R antagonist. It suggests that the effects of anandamide on embryo attachment and outgrowth are mediated by CB1-R. However, 56 nM anandamide is capable of inhibiting the blastocyst attachment and outgrowth, we, therefore, conclude that anandamide may play an essential role at the outset of implantation.     

绵羊胚胎附植分子调控研究进展

胚胎附植是哺乳动物复杂的生殖生理过程,是妊娠建立的标志和首要环节。早期胚胎发育、母体妊娠识别、胚胎附植和妊娠维持都严格依赖于孕体和中间的信号联系。大量研究证明,在绵羊胚胎附植过程中,来源于胚胎、母体子宫及宫外组织的多种生殖激素、黏附分子、细胞外基质、细胞活素物质和生长因子通过极其精密的协调共同参与和维持了孕体的发育、子宫内膜的重塑、分泌功能和子宫生长。综述了近年来绵羊胚胎附植的相关分子调控机制的最新研究进展,对胚胎附植分子调控信号的掌握将有助于诊断和确定那些引起妊娠失败的原因,为提高家畜和人类妊娠率提供参考。     

Cell adhesion molecules in stromal corneal dystrophies

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression pattern of different cell adhesion molecules in corneal stromal dystrophies. Fifteen corneal buttons from patients diagnosed with three different types of stromal corneal dystrophies and healthy corneas were investigated. Paraffin embedded sections were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies against human intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), endothelial selectin (E-selectin) and endothelial cadherin (E-cadherin) using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex technique. The sections were compared to normal eye bank controls. In corneas from granular dystrophy patients ICAM-1 was expressed focally in epithelial cells and in keratocytes, and expressed diffusely in endothelial cells. In corneas from macular dystrophy patients diffuse epithelial staining was observed and the stromal and endothelial expression was found to be similar to that of granular dystrophy. In lattice dystrophy, only the epithelial cells and endothelium were intensively positive for ICAM-1. E-selectin was not present on any layer of the corneal specimens. E-cadherin was observed only in the epithelium of all three types of corneal dystrophies. Normal corneas did not express any of the investigated adhesion molecules. We found different expression patterns of adhesion molecules in corneas from stromal dystrophies. Our results suggest that adhesion molecules may be involved in the pathogenesis of corneal stromal dystrophies.