Proper distribution of immune cells in the uterus is a prerequisite for successful implantation and subsequent placentation, but biochemical signals that govern such events have not been well characterized. In the present study, the cDNA of a chemokine, interferon (IFN)-γ-inducible protein 10 kDa (IP-10), was identified from a cDNA subtraction study between uterine endometrial tissues from Day 17 pregnant and Day 15 cyclic ewes. The effect of IFN-τ on IP-10 expression and the involvement of IP-10 in the recruitment of immune cells were then investigated. Northern blot analysis revealed that large amounts of IP-10 mRNA were present during conceptus attachment to maternal endometrium and early placentation. IP-10 mRNA was localized to monocytes distributed in the subepithelial stroma of pregnant but not cyclic uteri. This finding was supported by the discovery of IP-10 mRNA expression in monocytes but not in lymphocytes, uterine epithelial cells, or stromal cells. Moreover, the expression of IP-10 mRNA by the monocytes was stimulated by IFN-α, IFN-γ, and IFN-τ in a dose-dependent manner, but the expression of IP-10 mRNA by the endometrial explants was most stimulated by IFN-τ. In a chemotaxis assay, migration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was stimulated by the addition of IFN-τ stimulated-endometrial culture medium, and the effect was significantly reduced by neutralization with an anti-IP-10 antibody. These results suggest that endometrial IP-10 regulated by conceptus IFN-τ regulates recruitment and/or distribution of immune cells seen in the early pregnant uterus.
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1 April 2003
A Chemokine, Interferon (IFN)-γ-Inducible Protein 10 kDa, Is Stimulated by IFN-τ and Recruits Immune Cells in the Ovine Endometrium
Kentaro Nagaoka,
Akiharu Sakai,
Hisashi Nojima,
Yoshihito Suda,
Yuichi Yokomizo,
Kazuhiko Imakawa,
Senkiti Sakai,
Ronald K. Christenson
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cytokines
immunology
implantation
trophoblast
uterus