Investigation of expression of human leukemia inhibitory factor( LIF) gene in uterine endometrium

• Main Authors: Huang, Yi-Ping, 黃怡萍
• Other Authors: Hsu Li-Wei
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1997
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/45327145073962224465

碩士 === 中國醫藥學院 === 醫學類 === 85 === Leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF) is a multi-functional cytokine that plays pleiotropic activities in varioustissues. It has been demonstrated to be essential for blastocyst implantation in mice. LIF transcript is restricted in endometrial glands of uterus in adult mice. The level of LIF mRNA fluctuated the estrous cycle and reached to peak after ovulation(specially on day 4 of pregnancy). Expression of human LIF gene in uterus has been demonstrated by Northern blot and RT-PCR analysis recently. Glandular epithelial cells of the mid-luteal phase, at the expected time of implantation in the human, produced significantly more than that of the other stages. The role of LIF on human reproduction needs to befurther defined. Therefore, we have analyzed the expression of LIF gene in human uterine endometrium.Specimens were obtained by biopsy from volunteer participants. The anti-sense RNA probes labeled with35S was employed for in situ hybridization. The anti-sense RNA probes labeled with 32P wasemployed for RNase protection. Our data showed that LIF gene was expressed with a low level inglandular and luminal epithelium, and stroma cells at proliferative phase. In early secretary phase, theexpression of LIF gene in laminal and glandular epithelium was significantly elevated . Unlike the previous results obtained in mice, our preliminary results demonstrated that LIF gene expression is not restricted in glandular epithelium of human uterus. The results suggested that maternalexpression of LIF restricted in luminal and glandular epithelium of uterus might contribute to autocrineand/or paracrine regulation of uterine proliferation. It could be essential for providing an ideal environment accessible for embryo implantation.