Expression of Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 in Mouse Uterus and Poly (I:C)-induced Fetal Resorption

• Published in: American journal of reproductive immunology (1989) Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 104 - 112
• Main Authors: Shimada, Shigeki, Iwabuchi, Kazuya, Watano, Keiko, Shimizu, Hidemi, Yamada, Hideto, Minakami, Hisanori, Onoé, Kazunori
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.07.2003; Blackwell
• Subjects: AIF-1; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Northern; Calcium-Binding Proteins - analysis; Calcium-Binding Proteins - genetics; Embryo, Mammalian - chemistry; Epithelial Cells - chemistry; Estrous Cycle; Female; fetal resorption; Fetal Resorption - chemically induced; Fetal Resorption - genetics; Fetal Resorption - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Interferon-gamma - genetics; Macrophages - chemistry; Macrophages - cytology; Macrophages - metabolism; Male; Mammalian female genital system; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred CBA; Mice, Inbred DBA; Microfilament Proteins; Morphology. Physiology; Placenta - chemistry; Poly I-C - pharmacology; Pregnancy; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics; Uterus - chemistry; Uterus - metabolism; Vertebrates: reproduction; Enzyme; Rodentia; Homograft; Resorption; Gene expression; Nitric-oxide synthase; Pregnancy; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; Uterus; AIF-1; fetal resorption; Female genital system; Female; Fetus; Oxidoreductases; Estrous cycle; Tumor necrosis factor α
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0897.2003.00060.x
• ISSN: 1046-7408

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‐α (TNF‐α) 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‐1 with concomitant expressions of TNF‐α and NOS2 mRNA in poly(I:C)‐injected mice suggests a correlation between AIF‐1 production and fetal resorption.