Studies On S100A10 And H11 Genes Function In Mouse Embryonic Implantation

Embryonic implantation is a temporally and spatially restricted process, which initiates at a restricted stage considered as the "implantation window". Meanwhile, the adhesion and invasion of the embryo into maternal endometrium occurs at the specific region of uterus that is named as the "implantation site". A successful implantation involves a coordinated interaction between the maternal endometrium and the blastocyst, and is precisely regulated by various factors derived from both the embryo and the maternal uterus. This is a hot topic in reproductive biology in present.Previously, we found that S100A10 and H11 genes were significantly up-regulated in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatto) implantation site at the beginning of pregnancy by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method, indicating that S100A10 and Hll may function in the process of embryo implantation. But their function in reproductive system remains unclear. In the present study, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization are used to investigate the tissue-specific expression of S100A10 and Hll genes and the expression patterns of S100A10 and H11 genes in the uteri during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Meanwhile, the regulation of S100A10 and Hll genes expression by sex steroid hormones (E2 and P4) was studied in ovariectomized mice.The results showed that: (1) S100A10 and Hll genes could be detected in various kinds of mice tissues, with relatively high expression in female reproductive tracts including ovary and uterus. (2) During pregnancy, the expression of S100A10 and Hll genes in the uteri is significantly up-regulated on the 4th day when embryonic implantation initiates. The transcript was extensively localized in endometrial luminal epithelium cells as well as stromal cells at the implantation site, while almost non-detectable at the inter-implantation site. (3) During the estrous cycle, expression of S100A10 is up-regulated in the uteri at proestrus and estrus. The expression level of H11 gene maintained at a high level during the whole estrus cycle, only decreased in the proestrus. (4) From gestational day 5 till labor, S100A10 and...