Talin1 is highly expressed in the fallopian tube and chorionic villi to promote trophoblast invasion in tubal pregnancy / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of Talin1 in the fallopian tube and chorionic villi in patients with tubal pregnancy and its role in regulating invasion and migration of trophoblasts.@*METHODS@#Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the localization and expression level of Talin1 in the fallopian tube and chorionic villi in patients with tubal pregnancy and in women with normal pregnancy. In the cell experiment, HTR-8/SVneo cells was transfected with Talin1 siRNA and the changes in cell invasion and migration were assessed using scratch assay and Transwell assay. The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, N-cadherin and Snail in the transfected cells were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Positive expression of Talin1 was detected in both normal fallopian tube tissues and tissues from women tubal pregnancy, and its expression was localized mainly in the cytoplasm of cilia cells. The expression level of Talin1 was significantly higher in both the fallopian tube and chorionic villi in women with tubal pregnancy than in normal fallopian tube and chorionic villi samples (P < 0.01). In HTR-8/SVneo cells, transfection with Talin1 siRNA significantly inhibited cell invasion (P < 0.01) and migration (P < 0.05), down-regulated the expression of N-cadherin, MMP-2 and Snail (P < 0.05), and up-regulated the expression of MMP-9 in the cells (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The expression of Talin1 in the fallopian tube and chorionic villi is significantly increased in women with tubal pregnancy, suggesting the association of Talin1-regulated trophoblast cell invasion with the occurrence of tubal pregnancy.

Segment­ specific expression of MMP/TIMP in the oviduct of llama (Lama glama) and gelatinolytic activity in the oviductal fluid / Expresión segmento específica de MMP/TIMP en el oviducto de llama (Lama glama) y actividad gelatinolítica en el fluido oviductal

Oviductal molecules have the potential to improve the reproductive biotechnologies. In camelids, knowledge and assessment of the oviductal environment are necessary to successfully develop species-specific reproductive technologies, especially because of the camelids reproductive particularities. Among the oviductal factors, the matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases system (MMPs/TIMPs) should be investigated more thoroughly due to their participation in reproductive processes. Consequently, the current study assayed gene and protein expression of MMPs throughout the llama oviduct. MMPs zymogen and active forms in the oviductal fluid were also characterized. MMP2 and MMP9 transcripts were detected in ampulla, isthmus, utero-tubal junction and papilla, being MMP2 and MMP9 2.15 and 1.10 folds higher in papilla than in ampulla, respectively. In addition, differences in immunolocalization of MMP2 and MMP9 between the epithelial mucosa layers of the oviductal segments were observed. The presence of MMPs in the epithelium suggests their secretion into the oviductal lumen. Coincidently, bands of 62 and 94 kDa, corresponding to MMP2 and MMP9 were detected by zymography in the oviductal fluid. Treatment with an exogenous activator (APMA) suggests that they are present as proMMPs. TIMP2 and TIMP1, the specific inhibitors of MMP2 and MMP9, respectively, were expressed in each oviductal segment, indicating a well-regulated control of MMP proteolytic activity in the oviduct. These findings prove that the llama oviduct produces and secretes MMPs into the oviductal lumen, suggesting that these enzymes may have an unknown role in the preparation of the oviductal environment for gametes, fertilization and early embryo development in camelids.

Las moléculas oviductales tienen el potencial para mejorar las biotecnologías reproductivas. En los camélidos, debido a sus peculiares características reproductivas, el conocimiento del ambiente oviductal constituye una herramienta útil para el desarrollo de tecnologías reproductivas específicas para estas especies. Entre los factores oviductales de interés se encuentran las metaloproteasas de matriz (MMPs) y sus inhibidores específicos (TIMPs), los cuales han sido involucrados en diferentes procesos reproductivos. Por estas razones, en este trabajo se caracterizó la expresión génica y proteica de MMP2 y MMP9 en el oviducto de llama. Además, se analizó la presencia de las formas activas e inactivas (zimógenos) de estas enzimas en el fluido oviductal. Se observó que todos los segmentos oviductales, ámpula, istmo, unión útero-tubal y papila, expresan MMP2 y MMP9, siendo los niveles de expresión de MMP2 y MMP9 más elevados en papila respecto a ámpula; 2,15 y 1,10 veces respectivamente. Asimismo, se observaron diferencias en la distribución de las MMPs a nivel de la mucosa entre los segmentos oviductales. Consecuentemente, bandas con actividad gelatinolítica de 62 y 94 kDa, se detectaron en el fluido oviductal, las cuales corresponderían a las formas inactivas de la MMP2 y la MMP9, respectivamente. Los inhibidores específicos de MMP2 y MMP9; TIMP2 y TIMP1, también se detectaron en los segmentos oviductales, indicando su probable participación en la regulación de la actividad proteolítica de las MMPs en el oviducto de llama. En conjunto, los datos de este trabajo demuestran que el oviducto de la llama produce y secreta MMPs al lumen oviductal; sugiriendo que estas enzimas pueden participar en la preparación del ambiente oviductal para la recepción de los gametos, la fecundación y el desarrollo embrionario temprano en camélidos.

Characterization and localization of estrogen and progesterone receptors of human fallopian tube.

The cellular distribution of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) in the human fallopian tube was investigated by immunohistochemical localization with specific monoclonal antibodies. Nuclear immunostaining was observed. Intense PR immunostaining was seen in tissues obtained at mid cycle and luteal stages of the normal menstrual cycle. On the other hand, enhanced staining for ER was seen in early follicular phase and mid cycle. Menopausal tissues showed negligible staining for both ER and PR. The ER and PR were characterized for their molecular size, anatomical distribution and levels during the menstrual cycle and in menopause. ER protein was present throughout the cycle and also during menopause. Western blot analysis revealed two forms of ER approximately 66 kDa and a truncated from approximately 49 kDa in hFT. Presence of A [approximately 90 kDa] and B [approximately 120 kDa] isoforms of human PR was detected. Follicular and early luteal tissue possessed relatively high concentration of immunoreactive PR whereas it was almost undetectable in menopausal tissues. These results suggests that ER and PR are regulated by the changing ovarian steroid hormones.

Lipid pattern in female reproductive tissues during different phases of estrous cycle.

The normal pattern of lipids during various phases of estrous cycle in different reproductive tissues of female rats was analysed. The various lipid calsses undergo striking cyclical changes in harmony with the rhythm of endogenous gonadal and gonadotrophic hormones. A comparison of lipid pattern was made between various phases of estrous cycle. Ovary exhibited marked alterations in the distribution of lipids in different phases of the cycle compared to other tissues. Total lipids were maximum in diestrus phospholipids in estrus with a concomittant fall in triglycerides in all the tissues. The fluctuation in oviductal and vaginal lipids was much less compared to other tissues. Hormone-lipid interrelationship and tissue specificity may be attributed to these changes.