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Hong-Mei Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Hong-Mei Wang.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Expression of proteasome subunits low molecular mass polypeptide (LMP) 2 and LMP7 in the endometrium and placenta of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) during early pregnancy.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays an important role in embryo implantation. Low molecular mass polypeptide (LMP) 2 and LMP7 are the two subunits of 20S proteasome, which are critical for proteasome activity. To further elucidate the roles of LMP2 and LMP7 in embryo implantation during early pregnancy, we cloned partial sequences of the LMP2 and LMP7 genes and studied the spatiotemporal expression of LMP2 and LMP7 in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) uteri on Days 12, 18, and 26 of pregnancy. The results showed that the 349-base pair (bp) LMP2 fragment and the 340-bp LMP7 fragment were 97% and 99% identical, respectively, to those of human homologues. From the statistical results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry, we found that the expression levels of LMP2 and LMP7 significantly increased with the elongation of pregnancy. The LMP2 and LMP7 mRNAs were mainly expressed in the luminal and glandular epithelium on Day 12 of pregnancy. On Days 18 and 26 of pregnancy, strong signals of LMP2 and LMP7 mRNAs were detected in the placental villi, trophoblastic column, and arterial endothelial cells close to the implantation site, and moderate expressions were found in the trophoblastic shell and glandular epithelium. The LMP2 and LMP7 mRNAs were extensively distributed in the stroma on Day 26 of pregnancy. The expression patterns of LMP2 and LMP7 proteins were similar to those of their transcripts, but weak immunostaining of LMP2 and LMP7 proteins was detected in stroma at all stages of pregnancy. These results suggest that LMP2 and LMP7 may be involved in some key processes of trophoblastic invasion, angiogenesis, degradation of the extracellular matrix, immune tolerance, and glandular secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Normoxic induction of the hypoxic-inducible factor-1 alpha by interleukin-1 beta involves the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway in normal human cytotrophoblast cells.

During early pregnancy, an environment of relative low oxygen tension is essential for normal embryonic and placental vasculature. In low-oxygen conditions, the hypoxic-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), composed of alpha and beta subunits, controls the expression of a number of genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key angiogenic factor. The recent studies in some tumor cells have found that the labile component, HIF-1 alpha, is not only activated by hypoxia but also by peptides such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) in normoxia. In this article, we demonstrated that exposure of normal human cytotrophoblast cells to IL-1 beta stimulated the expression of HIF-1 alpha protein. Meanwhile, IL-1 beta also induced the secretion of VEGF in normal human cytotrophoblast cells. Our data indicated that IL-1 beta induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation. Moreover, treatment of cells with PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 signaling, inhibited the stimulation of HIF-1 alpha protein expression and VEGF secretion by IL-1 beta. These data indicate that, in normal human cytotrophoblast cells, IL-1 beta induces HIF- 1 alpha-mediated VEGF secretion and that IL-1 beta-stimulated ERK1/2 activation may be involved in this process.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Involvement of ERK1/2 pathway in TGF-beta1-induced VEGF secretion in normal human cytotrophoblast cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays a pivotal role in the angiogenesis during the development of placenta, but the intracellular signaling mechanism by which TGF-beta1 stimulates this process remains poorly understood. In this article, we demonstrated that exposure of normal human cytotrophoblast cells to TGF-beta1 stimulated the secretion of the VEGF gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor, which is a key factor in angiogenesis. Meanwhile, treatment of normal human cytotrophoblast cells with TGF-beta1-induced expression of HIF-1a, the regulated subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor 1, a known transactivator of the VEGF gene. Our data indicated that TGF-beta1 induced extracellular signal- regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation in normal human cytotrophoblast cells. Moreover, treating cells with PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 signaling, inhibited TGF-beta1 stimulation of VEGF secretion and HIF-1a protein expression. These data indicated that in normal human cytotrophoblast cells, TGF-beta1 induced HIF-1a-mediated VEGF secretion, and TGF-beta1-stimulated-ERK1/2 activation may be involved in this process.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Inoculation of Lactobacillus expressing hCG beta in the vagina induces an anti-hCG beta antibody response in murine vaginal mucosa.

OBJECTIVES: To test the possibility of vaccination with lactobacillus expressing hCG beta antigen administered by vaginal mucosal immunization. METHODS: A plasmid pIlac-hCG beta was constructed and then transfected into Lactobacillus casei CECT5276, which stably expressed hCG beta protein. RIA was used to detect hCG beta in the culture supernatant and cell lysate. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the expressed protein of interest. Female BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks received inoculations in the vagina of the recombinant L. casei CECT5276. ELISA was used to determine the anti-hCG beta IgA antibody in vaginal lavage fluid from the BALB/c mice after vaginal mucosal immunization. RESULTS: The pIlac alone appeared to have a higher efficiency than pIlac-hCG beta, and the highest transfection efficiency of both plasmids was at pulse voltages of 1200 V and 1500 V. About 78.5% of the hCG beta protein was excreted into the culture supernatant. Excretion of hCG beta was most efficient when the pH of the culture medium was adjusted to around 7.0 and the concentration of lactose was around 1%. The hCG beta protein in the vaginal lavage fluid of these BALB/c mice was positive on the third day after vaginal inoculation. Anti-hCG beta IgA antibody continued to be found in the vaginal lavage fluid for 2 weeks following a booster vaginal inoculation. The splenic lymphocytes of the mice immunized with hCG beta through the vagina underwent a proliferative reaction to hCG antigen restimulation in vitro. Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin (IL)-4 were secreted at higher levels after vaginal mucosal immunization of L. casei expressing hCG beta than after vaginal mucosal immunization of L. casei alone. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal immunization of lactobacillus expressing hCG beta induced an anti-hCG beta antibody response in the murine vaginal mucosa. Induction of the antigen-specific antibodies in the reproductive tract following vaginal inoculation of recombinant lactobacillus will lead to the development of a safe, efficient, and easy-to-use form of immunocontraception.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Expression of Smad2 and Smad4, transforming growth factor-beta signal transducers in rat endometrium during the estrous cycle, pre-, and peri-implantation.

SMADs are intracellular signaling molecules that transmit signals elicited by members of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. To decipher the mechanism of TGF-beta signaling during the estrous cycle and implantation, we performed in situ hybridization to investigate the expression patterns of mRNAs for Smad2 and Smad4 in rat endometrium during the estrous cycle and on Days 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 of pregnancy. Intense epithelial expression of Smad2 mRNA at diestrus and proestrus was reduced at estrus and metaestrus, while Smad4 maintained its constitutive expression during the estrous cycle. During pre-implantation, both Smads were accumulated in the luminal epithelium and the glandular epithelium. Contrary to the dramatic Smad4 expression, Smad2 was highly down-regulated on Day 2.5 and was increased on Day 3.5. During peri-implantation, both Smads were expressed in the luminal epithelium, subepithelial stroma, and the primary decidual zone. Smad4 was down-modulated on Day 5.5. These results suggest that (a) both Smads are involved in the tissue remodeling of cycling and pregnant rat uteri; (b) TGF-beta signaling functions mainly in the epithelium during pre-implantation and Smad2 is involved in the endometrial switch from the neutral phase to the receptive phase; (c) TGF-beta signaling is down-regulated at the time when trophoblast invasion begins and both Smads are involved in the formation of the primary decidual zone.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[ATM and telomere instability].

Accumulation of DNA damage has been associated with the onset of senescence and the predisposition to cancer. The gene responsible for ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is ATM (Ataxia-telangiectasia mutant), a master controller of cellular pathways and networks, orchestrating the response to a specific type of DNA damage, i.e., the double strand break. It has now been demonstrated that mutations in ATM lead to defective telomere maintenance in mammalian cells. This review will focus on its roles in telomere metabolism and how ATM and telomeres serve as controllers of cellular responses to DNA damage.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗
PubMed2004

[Endosperm-specific expression of the ferritin gene in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) results in increased iron content of milling rice].

Iron deficiency is the most widespread micronutrient deficiency world-wild, and is estimated to affect about 30% of the world population. To increase the iron content of rice in Chinese, the 764 bp cDNA of ferritin gene was cloned from soybean (Phaseolus limensis), and constructed between the 1 353 bp rice glutelin GluB-1 promoter and NOS terminator in a binary vector pCAMIBA1301. The constructed pYF1067 vector was introduced into Agrobacterium strain EHA105, and used for transformation of the primary callus derived from immature embryos of a high-yielding rice ( Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica) variety Wuxiangjin 9. Under the selection on hygromycin-containing medium, seventeen independent transgenic rice lines, total more than 80 transgenic plants, were finally regenerated, and most of these transgenic rice plants grew normally. PCR and Southern blot analysis of total DNA from primary transformants confirmed that one to three copies of the transgenes integrated into the genome of most of the transgenic plants, and they could be stably transmitted into the progeny of the transgenic rice. Northern blot analysis showed that the ferritin gene could specifically express in the endosperm of transgenic rice with high level, while no or low expression in leaves. The expression level varied among different independent transgenic rice plants. There was a significant effect of the high-expression of ferritin on the increased iron content in transgenic rice, the iron content in the milling rice of transgenic rice was up to 64% higher than that of the untransformed wild-type plant, whereas no significant alteration of the zinc level occurred between these two type rice plants.

Ferritins↗
PubMed2004

Abnormal expression of hepatoma-derived gamma-glutamyltransferase subtyping and its early alteration for carcinogenesis of hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND: Although the hepatoma-specific band of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a highly sensitive marker in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, the kinetic expression and the early alterations of GGT in the development of hepatoma remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and the alterations of GGT multiple molecular forms in hepatotumorigenesis. METHODS: The expression of GGT in a chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis model was examined by giving 0.05% of 2-fluoenylacetamide in diet for 12 weeks. The expression levels of total RNA and GGT, and the changes of liver pathology, GGT multiple molecular forms and sugar-chain heterogeneity were investigated at the different stages of rat hepatoma development. RESULTS: Pathological examination and biochemical analysis found that liver GGT was over-expressed and secreted into blood during canceration. Serum total GGT and liver GGT specific activities (IU/g) including soluble and membrane-combined GGT were significantly higher (P<0.05) in experimental groups than those in control group, respectively. A highly positive correlation was found between total GGT activities and total RNA levels (r=0.90, P<0.05) of the liver. Both were higher six weeks later than before. Con A-non-reactive-GGT was increased consistantly during the development of rat hepatoma. GGT multiple molecular forms in the liver and sera of experimental rats showed that fetal liver-type GGT bands were associated with the development of hepatoma. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal liver-type GGT in sera and the liver of rats is closely related to hepatotumorigenesis. It can be used as a sensitive enzymatic marker for the early diagnosis of liver cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Effect of indomethacin on human colorectal cancer cells HCT116 and SW480].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of indomethacin on COX non-expressing colon cancer cells (HCT116 and SW480). METHODS: We used MTT assay to assess the effect of indomethacin on the growth of the cultured cells. Transplanted tumor models were established with BALB/c nude mice and were treated with indomethacin at 3 mg/(kg x d) for 4 weeks. Tumor volume and mouse weight were recorded every other day. Histologic examination was performed. RESULTS: After 48-hour incubation with various concentrations of indomethacin, the growth of the two cell lines was significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 being (318.2 +/- 12.7) micromol/L and (701.4 +/- 29.5) micromol/L, respectively. Indomethacin also effectively retarded the tumor growth within xenografts by 44.6% according to the tumor volume. No obvious toxicity was observed in these nude mice. CONCLUSION: Indomethacin can inhibit the growth of COX-negative human colon cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, which indirectly suggests that indomethacin exerts its anti-tumor effect at least partly independent of the cyclooxygenase inhibitory profile.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Bombesin-mediated non-cholinergic late slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials in guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion in vitro].

The effect of bombesin (BOM) on non-cholinergic excitatory synaptic transmission of the guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) was investigated by intracellular recording. Repetitive stimulation of the colon nerves (1 ms, 25 Hz, 4 s) elicited a burst of action potentials, which was followed by a long-lasting depolarization in 74.3% (52/70) of the IMG neurons. The depolarization was not blocked by nicotinic (d-tubocurarine, 100 micromol/L) and muscarinic (atropine, 1 micromol/L) antagonists, but was eliminated in a low Ca(2+)/high Mg(2+) Krebs solution, indicating that the depolarization was due to the release of non-cholinergic transmitters. Superfusing the ganglia with BOM (10 micromol/L, 1 min) induced a slow depolarization in 66.5% (109/164) neurons tested. The BOM response was not appreciably changed in low Ca(2+)/high Mg(2+) Krebs solution (n=6, P>0.05), suggesting that BOM depolarized the neurons by acting directly on the postsynaptic membrane rather than via a release of other endogenous depolarizing substances. In a total of 102 cells that exhibited late slow excitatory postsynaptic potential (ls-EPSP), superfusion of the ganglia with BOM produced a membrane depolarization in 82 neurons (80%), while the remaining 20 cells (20%) exhibited no response to BOM. In 18 neurons with ls-EPSP, 4 (22%) neurons were sensitive to both BOM and SP; 6 (33%) and 5 (28%) neurons were only sensitive to BOM and SP, respectively. The remaining 3 (17%) neurons were insensitive to both BOM and SP. Membrane resistance (Rm) had no apparent change in 47.3%, 59.5 % of the neurons tested during the ls-EPSP (n=55) and BOM depolarization (n=84), respectively, but had a marked decrease in 38.2%, 27.4%, and a marked increase in the remaining 14.5%, 13.1% of the neurons. However, when the Rm change accompanying ls-EPSP was compared with that accompanying BOM depolarization (n=20) in the same neuron, the changes in Rm were always parallel. Moreover, ls-EPSP (n=6) and BOM depolarization (n=8) were all augmented by conditioning hyperpolarization. The extrapolated values of the reversal potentials of ls-EPSP and BOM depolarization were 46.0+/-8.0 and 50.0+/-7.0 mV (n=8, P>0.05), respectively. In 14 BOM-sensitive neurons, a ls-EPSP was elicited by repetitive colon nerve stimulation. Superfusion of BOM (10 micromol/L) in these cells initially caused a large depolarization and then membrane potential gradually subsided to resting level in the continuous presence of BOM. Stimulation of the presynaptic nerves at this time failed to elicit a detecable ls-EPSP in 2 neurons and induced a much smaller one in 10 cells, while the ls-EPSP in the remaining 2 neurons was not appreciably affected. On the other hand, prolonged superfusion of BOM had no effect on the amplitude and duration of ls-EPSP in 6 BOM-insensititive neurons studied (P>0.05). The amplitude and duration of SP-induced depolarization were not altered by prolonged superfusion of BOM (n=4, P>0.05) Superfusion of tyr(4) D-phe(12) bombesin (1 micromol/L, 10 15 min), a BOM receptor antagonist, did not cause any noticeable changes in passive membrane properties nor block nicotinic f-EPSPs, but markedly suppressed (n=5) or completely abolished (n=11) BOM depolarization in all 16 neurons tested Similarly, tyr(4) D-phe(12) bombesin partially or completely antagonized the ls-EPSP in 9 out of a total of BOM sensitive neurons (n=11). The ls-EPSP elicited in the remaining two neurons was insignificantly affected by this drug. However, following 10 20 min of wash with Krebs solution the ls-EPSP was reversed. In contrast, superfusion of the ganglia with tyr(4) D-phe(12) bombesin did not change the amplitude and duration (P>0.05) of ls-EPSP in 10 BOM-insensitive cells. Similarly, the amplitude and duration of SP-induced depolarization were not appreciably affected by tyr(4) D-phe(12) bombesin (n=6, P>0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that BOM may be another transmitter mediating the ls-EPSP in the guinea pig IMG and that there is no cross-desensitization of BOM receptors and SP receptors.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2003

Gene fusion of molecular adjuvant C3d to hCGbeta enhances the anti-hCGbeta antibody response in DNA immunization.

OBJECTIVE: To express the hCGbeta-C3d3 fusion protein in a CHO cell continual expression system to investigate further the adjuvant effects of C3d on contraceptive vaccination. METHOD: We constructed a plasmid pcDNA3-hCGbeta-C3d3 which contains three copies of murine C3d cDNA and the hCGbeta gene by cloning the chimerical hCGbeta-C3d3 cDNA into the eukaryotic vector pcDNA3 downstream of the CMV promoter. The plasmid was transfected into a COS-7 cell transient expression system and a CHO cell continual expression system. RIA was used to detect hCGbeta in the culture supernatant. Western blot and Raji cell immunohistochemical assays were performed to evaluate the expressed protein. Then, 6-8-week-old female BALB/c mice were inoculated intramuscularly with pcDNA3-hCGbeta and pcDNA3-hCGbeta-C3d3, and ELISA was used to assess anti-hCGbeta IgG antibody in serum. RESULTS: In 72 h after COS-7 cells were transfected with the plasmid pcDNA3-hCGbeta-C3d3, 1.0x10(5) cells could secrete 152 ng of the recombinant protein (calculated by hCGbeta contained). The transfected CHO cells, which were then screened by G418, could continuously secrete the fusion protein at 660 ng/10(6) cells/48 h. The hCGbeta-C3d3 protein was purified by anti-hCGbeta immunoaffinity chromatography. Raji cell immunohistochemical assay demonstrated that both the hCGbeta and C3d3 were successfully fused. After DNA immunization intramuscularly, the anti-hCGbeta IgG antibody titer in the pcDNA3-hCGbeta-C3d3 immunized group was 243-fold higher than that of the pcDNA3-hCGbeta immunized group. CONCLUSION: We have expressed the hCGbeta-C3d3 protein successfully, both in a transient expression system (COS-7 cells) and in a stable expression system (CHO cells). The C3d3 molecular adjuvant can enhance significantly the immunogenecity of hCGbeta antigen in DNA immunization.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Matrix metalloproteinase-28 transcript and protein are expressed in rhesus monkey placenta during early pregnancy.

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), especially newly described MMP, in trophoblast invasion during human embryo implantation is poorly understood. In this report, using a model of early pregnancy in the rhesus monkey, we have examined the expression and localization of the most recently identified MMP, MMP-28/epilysin, transcript and protein in macaque uterine samples on days 12, 18 and 26 of pregnancy. MMP-28 mRNA expression was shown by in-situ hybridization after day 12 of pregnancy, and both the syncytial and the cytotrophoblastic cell layers of placental villi, the cytotrophoblast cells of the trophoblastic column, and the extravillous trophoblast cells of trophoblastic shell were primary producers of MMP-28 transcript. Expression of MMP-28 mRNA was undetectable in the endovascular trophoblast cells, decidual cells, luminal and glandular epithelium, arterioles, and myometrium. RT-PCR analysis amplified a fragment of 258 nucleotides from rhesus monkey uterine samples containing implantation sites on days 18 and 26. The cDNA fragment, following sequencing, was confirmed to be part of the haemopexin-like domain of MMP-28. It has 95% identity with the corresponding region of human MMP-28 gene. Immunohistochemical analysis further demonstrated that the localization of MMP-28 protein was similar to that of its mRNA. The restricted distribution pattern of this novel MMP in the villous and extravillous trophoblasts during rhesus monkey early pregnancy suggests a potential role in trophoblast invasion associated with embryo implantation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

[Expression of ATM protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines with different radiosensitivity].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that ataxia- telangiectasia mutant(ATM) protein is closely correlated with cellular radiosensitivity in several malignant tumors. This study was designed to determine the expression of ATM protein in two nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines with different radiosensitivity. METHODS: Two NPC cell lines, CNE1 and CNE2, with different radiosensitivity were established. The localization and quantity of ATM protein were analyzed by fluorescence immunohistochemical method and laser scanning confocal microscope(LSCM). RESULTS: ATM protein was located in both karyon and cytoplasm, especially strongly expressed in karyon. The intense fluorescence of ATM protein was stronger in karyon of CNE1 than that in CNE2. CONCLUSION: The expression levels of ATM protein differ in CNE1 and CNE2. The variance may be a potential factor, which links with their different radiosensitivity.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins↗
PubMed2003

[Study on mutation of ATM/PI3K region in NPC cell lines with different radiosensitivity].

To try to elucidate the relationship between the radiosensitivity of NPC cell lines and ATM gene, this study was designed to investigate the mutation of ATM/PI3K region in NPC cell lines with different radiosensitivity. Two NPC cell lines of CNE1 and CNE2 with different radiosensitivities were established. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to get a 546bp fragment (8578nt-9123nt) of ATM cDNA, containing the PI-3 kinase domain (8753-8815bp). Direct sequencing of RT-PCR product was applied to determine the mutations in the gene. The sequence of the 546bp fragment is identical to the sequence of ATM gene published in GenBank, that is, there are no any mutations on the fragment of ATM/PI3K we examined either in CNE1 or in CNE2. It indicates that there may be no correlations between the mutation of ATM/PI3K and the variation of radiosensitivity in NPC cell lines CNE1, CNE2.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2002

Synthesis, crystal structure, and ESR study of a novel phosphorylated lipophilic spin trap.

In this article, the synthesis of a novel alpha-phosphorus-containing spin trap DEPPEPO [2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-2-phenethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole-1-oxide] and the evaluation of its ability to spin-trap radicals, especially superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, are described. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals that there exist a lot of intramolecular nonbonded attractive interactions in the molecule. The phenethyl group is located away from the diethoxyphosphoryl group and the nitronyl plane, and only one face of the nitronyl plane is sterically hindered by the oxygen attached to the phosphorus with a double bond. The latter feature is responsible for the stereoselection of the free radical additions on the nitronyl moiety. The ability of DEPPEPO to trap the active superoxide anion radical generated in the HX/XO system and the stability of their spin adduct were investigated with that for DEPMPO. The half-life of DEPPEPO is about 13.4 min, and as a result, the DEPPEPO seems to be a promising lipophilic spin trap, perhaps in both in vitro and in vivo ESR investigation. Because DEPPEPO is a solid compound, it is quite easy to purify by recrystallization and to store the compound even at room temperature. In addition, an obvious increase in lipophilicity for DEPPEPO was found as a contribution of 2-substituted phenethyl.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Expression of gelatinases and their tissue inhibitors in rat corpus luteum during pregnancy and postpartum.

Extensive tissue remodeling occurs in the corpus luteum (CL) during both formation and luteolysis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are believed to play pivotal roles in these processes. In the present study, to evaluate the potential roles of matrix degrading proteases in luteal development and regression, we examined gelatinases and TIMP-1, -2, -3 mRNA expressions, as well as gelatinase activity in rat CL during pregnancy and postpartum using Northern blot, in situ hybridization, and gelatin zymography, respectively. The results showed that MMP-2 mRNA was only expressed at the early stages of pregnancy; TIMP-2 mRNA was highly expressed at the early and late pregnancy and day 1 postpartum, but could not be detected during the mid-phase of pregnancy; TIMP-3 mRNA expression was abundant during early pregnancy and peaked at day 7, but was absent from other time points examined. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNAs in rat CL were below detectable level in the current study. Furthermore, the active MMP-2 was only present during the early stages of pregnancy, and no MMP-9 activity was observed in the zymogram. Taken together, our results suggest that MMP-2 and TIMP-3 may have functional roles in rat luteal formation, while TIMP-2 may be implicated in both formation and regression of the pregnant CL.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Expression and localization of RAP250 mRNA in rat ovary: possible implications in follicular development and ovulation.

The expression levels of nuclear receptor coregulators in specific tissue compartments and cells are thought to influence the expression of hormone-responsive genes involved in metabolism, development, and reproduction. RAP250 is a novel nuclear receptor coactivator highly expressed in brain and reproductive organs. To investigate the possible involvement of RAP250 in tissue-specific regulation of ovarian function, untreated immature, pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin luteinizing hormone (PMSG-LH)-primed, cycling, and pregnant rat models were used to study the localization and expression of RAP250 mRNA in rat ovary by in situ hybridization (ISH) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that RAP250 mRNA was primarily localized to granulosa cells of healthy follicles in immature, cycling, and pregnant rats and increased during PMSG-induced follicular development. In the preovulatory and ovulatory follicles from the LH-primed rats of 48-h post-PMSG administration, the signals for RAP250 mRNA increased further and remained high until early luteal formation. Only a subset of corpora lutea during diestrus 1, diestrus 2, and initiation of pregnancy was weakly positive, and atretic follicles were largely negative. The RT-PCR results confirmed the presence of RAP250 mRNA in the rat ovary and strengthen the data from ISH. These findings suggest that RAP250 may play potential roles in follicular development and ovulation.

Animals↗