Expression and regulation of transforming growth factor and#946;2 matrix metalloproteinases 2 9 and estrogen receptor family mRNAs in mice uterus

Abstract

Reproductive system is the most dynamic organ system carrying out cyclical proliferation and remodeling of organs in adult organisms. Throughout the reproductive life of both humans and rodents, the uterus went through various morphological and histological alterations and numerous cycles of growth, cellular differentiation, shedding and revival every 28 days in humans and 4-5 days in rodents to facilitate implantation of embryo. The changes are mainly carried out by two major sex steroids: estrogen or its most active form 17and#946;-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) throughout the estrous or menstrual cycle. Estrogen mediates cellular proliferation, whereas progesterone suppresses it. Besides these steroids, the cyclical regulation in uterus is also carried out by myriad of other factors such as, cytokines, proteases and growth factors. Microarray analysis revealed that many proteases including matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 11 (MMP2 and MMP11) are upregulated during late secretory phase. Also members of transforming growth factor and#946; (TGFand#946;) superfamily are expressed abundantly within the endometrium and carry out various functions like proliferation and differentiation of tissues, angiogenesis, apoptosis and remodeling of tissues. Thus, this class of growth factors play a key role in orchestrating various cellular events like proliferation, decidualization and embryo implantation during pregnancy. newlineMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc ion-dependent proteases that functions within the extra cellular matrix (ECM) to cleave the ECM proteins and carry out remodeling process of tissues. Since uterus is a dynamic organ undergoing cycles of variations either estrous or menstrual, MMPs are one of the major protein components that are differentially expressed within this organ during entire cycle, mostly carry out apoptosis during estrous cycle and endometrial shedding during menstruation.