Immunohistochemical analysis of beta 1-integrin receptors displayed by murine uterine natural killer cells over the course of successful pregnancy
Abstract
Granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells are a natural killer (NK) cell-like population present in large numbers in the pregnant rodent uterus. By day 8 of gestation GMG cells are large and granulated and localized to the mesometrial side of each implantation site. GMG cells appear to be highly migratory both in vivo and in vitro; however, little is known regarding their functions. Using indirect fluorescence immunohistochemistry, murine uteri and implantation sites were studied on successive days of gestation to characterize the extracellular matrix receptors of the VLA-integrin family displayed by GMG cells. On days 3 and 6 of gestation, double immunostaining using the monoclonal antibody LGL-1 was employed to recognize GMG cells because their morphology early in pregnancy resembles that of other lymphocytes. Between days 8-15 of gestation, GMG cells can be recognized by their unique morphology. The day 3 and day 6 LGL-1+ cells were positive for all antigens examined; that is, beta 1 plus alpha 1, alpha 3, alpha 4, alpha 5 and alpha 6. From days 8-15 of gestation, GMG cells were beta 1+, alpha 4+, alpha 5+ but alpha 1-, alpha 3-, alpha 6-. Thus, between days 6-8 of gestation, major changes occur in the uterine NK/GMG cell populat...Continue Reading
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