Burghardt Robert C, Burghardt James R, Taylor James D, Reeder Adele T, Nguen Bar T, Spencer Thomas E, Bayless Kayla J, Johnson Greg A
Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4458, USA.
Reproduction. 2009 Mar;137(3):567-82. doi: 10.1530/REP-08-0304. Epub 2008 Dec 5.
The integrity of the fetal-maternal interface is critical for proper fetal nourishment during pregnancy. Integrins are important adhesion molecules present at the interface during implantation; however, in vivo evidence for integrin activation and focal adhesion formation at the maternal-conceptus interface is limited. We hypothesized that focal adhesion assembly in uterine luminal epithelium (LE) and conceptus trophectoderm (Tr) results from integrin binding of extracellular matrix (ECM) at this interface to provide increased tensile forces and signaling to coordinate utero-placental development. An ovine model of unilateral pregnancy was used to evaluate mechanotransduction events leading to focal adhesion assembly at the maternal-conceptus interface and within the uterine wall. Animals were hysterectomized on days 40, 80, or 120 of pregnancy, and uteri immunostained for integrins (ITGAV, ITGA4, ITGA5, ITGB1, ITGB3, and ITGB5), ECM proteins (SPP1, LGALS15, fibronectin (FN), and vitronectin (VTN)), cytoskeletal molecules (ACTN and TLN1), and a signal generator (PTK2). Focal adhesion assembly in myometrium and stroma was also studied to provide a frame of reference for mechanical stretch of the uterine wall. Large focal adhesions containing aggregates of ITGAV, ITGA4, ITGA5, ITGB1, ITGB5, ACTN, and PTK2 were detected in interplacentomal uterine LE and Tr of gravid but not non-gravid uterine horns and increased during pregnancy. SPP1 and LGALS15, but not FN or VTN, were present along LE and Tr interfaces in both uterine horns. These data support the idea that focal adhesion assembly at the maternal-conceptus interface reflects adaptation to increasing forces caused by the growing fetus. Cooperative binding of multiple integrins to SPP1 deposited at the maternal-conceptus interface forms an adhesive mosaic to maintain a tight connection between uterine and placental surfaces along regions of epitheliochorial placentation in sheep.
胎儿 - 母体界面的完整性对于孕期胎儿的正常营养供应至关重要。整合素是植入过程中存在于该界面的重要黏附分子;然而,关于母体 - 孕体界面整合素激活和粘着斑形成的体内证据有限。我们推测,子宫腔上皮(LE)和孕体滋养外胚层(Tr)中的粘着斑组装是由于该界面处细胞外基质(ECM)与整合素结合,从而提供增加的张力并进行信号传导以协调子宫 - 胎盘发育。使用单侧妊娠的绵羊模型来评估导致母体 - 孕体界面和子宫壁内粘着斑组装的机械转导事件。在妊娠第40、80或120天对动物进行子宫切除,子宫进行免疫染色以检测整合素(ITGAV、ITGA4、ITGA5、ITGB1、ITGB3和ITGB5)、ECM蛋白(SPP1、LGALS15、纤连蛋白(FN)和玻连蛋白(VTN))、细胞骨架分子(ACTN和TLN1)以及信号发生器(PTK2)。还研究了子宫肌层和基质中的粘着斑组装,以为子宫壁的机械拉伸提供参考框架。在妊娠子宫角而非未妊娠子宫角的胎盘间子宫LE和Tr中检测到含有ITGAV、ITGA4、ITGA5、ITGB1、ITGB5、ACTN和PTK2聚集物的大型粘着斑,且在妊娠期间增加。SPP1和LGALS15沿两个子宫角的LE和Tr界面存在,但FN或VTN不存在。这些数据支持这样的观点,即母体 - 孕体界面处的粘着斑组装反映了对胎儿生长引起的不断增加的力的适应。多种整合素与沉积在母体 - 孕体界面的SPP1的协同结合形成了一个粘着镶嵌体,以维持绵羊上皮绒毛膜胎盘区域子宫和胎盘表面之间的紧密连接。