We have examined the existence and distribution of fibrillin-1 within the endometrium and decidua to ascertain the effect of decidualization upon its synthesis, and its relationship to other extracellular matrix proteins. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were stained using monoclonal antibodies to collagen IV, elastin, fibrillin-1 and laminin, by immunocytochemistry. Fibrillin-1 was pr...

During human early pregnancy, fetus-derived trophoblasts come into direct contact with maternal immune cells at the maternofetal interface. At sites of placental attachment, invasive extravillous trophoblasts encounter decidual leukocytes (DLC) that accumulate within the decidua. Because we first found chemokine CXCL16 was highly expressed in and secreted by the first-trimester human trophoblas...

Prokineticin-1 (PROK1) is a multifunctional secreted protein which signals via the G-protein coupled receptor, PROKR1. Previous data from our laboratory using a human genome survey microarray showed that PROK1-prokineticin receptor 1 (PROKR1) signalling regulates numerous genes important for establishment of early pregnancy, including the cytokine interleukin (IL)-11. Here, we have shown that P...

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare whether the explant supernatants prepared from endometrial tissues during the proliferative phase, secretory phase and early pregnancy differ in immunosuppressive activity. Specimens of nonpregnant endometrium from hysterectomies and normal first trimester decidua following elective aspiration termination of pregnancy were obtained. ...

BACKGROUND Decidua is in close contact with the fetal trophoblasts, and involved in immune relationship of mother to fetus. However, the roles of decidua and decidual stromal cells (DSC) in materno-fetal immune regulation remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the expression and regulation of chemokines and their receptors in decidua and DSCs were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS The...

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor is a potent inhibitor of neutrophil function, a mediator of mucosal immunity and an inhibitor of NF|gkB regulated inflammatory responses. However, its source, function and regulation within the uterus during pregnancy and at parturition are not well defined. In amniotic fluid, the concentration of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor increased significan...

INTRODUCTION Extracellular matrix proteins play a crucial role in influencing the invasion of trophoblast cells. However the role of collagens and collagen type IV (col-IV) in particular at the implantation site is not clear. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the distribution of collagen types I, III, IV and VI in endometrium and decidua during the menstrual cycle and the fir...

Implantation requires communication between a receptive endometrium and a healthy blastocyst. This maternal-embryonic crosstalk involves local mediators within the uterine microenvironment. We demonstrate that a secreted protein, prokineticin 1 (PROK1), is expressed in the receptive endometrium and during early pregnancy. PROK1 induces expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in endometri...

several studies have shown that decidual tissue produces soluble factors which can mediate a variety of immunosuppressive activities. in order to assess whether prostaglandin e2 (pge2) was present in supernatants produced by explant culture of 10 human specimens of first trimester decidua. the effect of the supernatants from the two different series (with and without indomethacin treatment) of ...

Neurotrophic factors are a group of proteins that act as paracrine and autocrine growth factors. They are involved in the regulation of morphogenesis and development of several tissues. The present study aims to evaluate, for the first time, the expression of Neurotrophin-3 in the human placenta during normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia and chorioamnionitis. Neurotrophin-3 mRNA, assessed by R...