Expression of allograft inflammatory factor-1 in mouse uterus and poly(I:C)-induced fetal resorption

Am J Reprod Immunol. 2003 Jul;50(1):104-12. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0897.2003.00060.x.

Abstract

Problem: To investigate whether the allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is expressed and plays a role in the reproductive system.

Method of study: AIF-1 expression was examined in uteri of non-pregnant and pregnant mice by Northern blot analysis, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

Results: The expression of AIF-1 varied during the estrous cycle with a peak at estrus. After the insemination, the expression of AIF-1 mRNA diminished gradually and again increased in the pre-implantation or implantation period in allogeneic or syngeneic pregnancy, respectively. Enhanced expressions of AIF-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) mRNA were observed in the embryos of resorption-prone pregnancy injected with poly(I:C).

Conclusions: This study demonstrated for the first time that AIF-1 was expressed in uterus. The expression level was associated with the population size of macrophage and varied during the estrous cycle and the pregnancy period. The augmented expression of AIF-I with concomitant expressions of TNF-alpha and NOS2 mRNA in poly(I:C)-injected mice suggests a correlation between AIF-1 production and fetal resorption.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / analysis*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Embryo, Mammalian / chemistry
  • Epithelial Cells / chemistry
  • Estrous Cycle
  • Female
  • Fetal Resorption / chemically induced
  • Fetal Resorption / genetics
  • Fetal Resorption / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Macrophages / chemistry
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Placenta / chemistry
  • Poly I-C / pharmacology*
  • Pregnancy
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Uterus / chemistry*
  • Uterus / metabolism

Substances

  • Aif1 protein, mouse
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Poly I-C