engleski

Spatio-temporal expression of osteopontin in early pregnancy

Genomic analysis of the human endometrium during early pregnancy has identified osteopontin (OPN) as one of the most differentially regulated ECM-adhesion molecules in the uterus as it becomes receptive for implantation. OPN null mice manifest decreased pregnancy rates during midgestation when compared with wild-type counterparts. Recent data indicates that alternative translation of OPN generates the intracellular and secreted forms that mediate diverse biological activities. This study was undertaken to analyze OPN expression in the mouse uterus mice during early pregnancy. Our results indicate that OPN expression is down regulated by progesterone via transcriptional activities of progesterone receptors (PRs). Results of this study suggest that during early pregnancy both OPN isoforms are present in a distinct population of cells. During the progression of decidualisation OPN is localized mainly in mesometrial decidua and we found that the major sources of OPN are granulated uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Beside uNK cell OPN is also present in subpopulation of PR negative stromal cells. Contrary to OPN localization the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is present at the antimesometrial side during decidualization at a very high expression rate. Spatial and temporal segregation of PR, OPN and COX-2 expression might be of vital importance for establishment of appropriate immunological environment and angiogenic changes required for pregnancy maintenance.

osteopontin; progesterone; uterus; pregnancy; cyclooxygenase-2

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