Expression and hormone regulation of UCP2 in goat uterus

The Role of Sirt1 in Regulating Inflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress in the Transition Mechanism from Depressive Disorder to Alzheimer's Disease

This study aimed to investigate the role of Sirt1 in the transition from depressive disorder (DD) to Alzheimer's disease (AD), focusing on the regulation of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress through modulation of acetylation substrates. Male C57BL/6 and APP/PS1 mice were used to establish a mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Depressive and anxiety behaviors, as well as cognitive function, were evaluated in model mice. A range of techniques, including immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, western blotting, and ELISA, was used to investigate the performance of the model mice. VENN analysis was used to identify hub genes and signaling pathways regulated by Sirt1. Finally, differential expression analysis between the AD + DD and DD groups was conducted using transcriptome sequencing, and data processing was conducted using DESeq2 software. Behavioral experiments revealed that, following CUMS stimulation, both APP/PS1 and C57BL/6 mice exhibited significantly reduced responsiveness, anhedonia, depression, despair, and impaired spatial exploration abilities. Performance analysis further demonstrated that CUMS treatment activated microglial cells, suppressed both the mRNA and protein expression of Sirt1, and promoted the expression of GM-CSF, IL-6, TNF-α, NO, MDA, and ROS. In addition, CUMS exposure inhibited the expression of SOD. Bioinformatic analysis and transcriptome sequencing of the Sirt1 receptor indicated that Sirt1 regulates the RelA/NLRP3 signaling pathway, which might subsequently affect the expression and function of differentially expressed genes, thereby promoting the transition from DD to AD. CUMS stimulation induced depressive and anxious behaviors, cognitive impairments, activation of microglial cells, reduced expression of Sirt1, and increased levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress markers in AD mice. Bioinformatic analysis and transcriptome sequencing suggested that Sirt1 may influence the expression and function of differentially expressed genes by regulating the RelA/NLRP3 signaling pathway, thereby promoting the transition from DD to AD.

Epidermal growth factor: Expression in goat endometrial epithelia during early pregnancy and regulation by interferon tau and FOXO1

In ruminants, establishment and maintenance of pregnancy depends upon a well-coordinated interaction between the conceptus and the maternal endometrium. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is important for embryo implantation and pregnancy establishment. However, the regulatory mechanisms of EGF expression remain unclear. FOXO1, a member of the Forkhead box O (FOXO) subfamily of transcription factors, is currently accepted as a novel endometrial receptivity marker for humans and mice owing to its timely and specific expression at the window of implantation. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal expression profile of EGF in goat uterus during early pregnancy (Day 0 to Day 50 of pregnancy) and verified that EGF expression was regulated by FOXO1 and interferon tau (IFNT). Our results showed that EGF was highly expressed in the luminal epithelium (LE) and the glandular epithelium (GE) during conceptus adhesion (Day 16 to Day 25 of pregnancy). After implantation, EGF protein signals were continuously detected in the endometrial epithelia and appeared in the conceptus trophectoderm. Furthermore, EGF expression could be up-regulated by IFNT in goat uterus and primary endometrial epithelium cells (EECs). The luciferase assay results showed that FOXO1 could promote EGF transcription by binding to its promoter. And FOXO1 positively regulates EGF expression in goat EECs. These findings contribute to better understanding the role and regulation mechanisms of EGF during ruminant early pregnancy.

An IFNT/FOXO1/PTGS2 axis regulates prostaglandin F2α synthesis in goat uterus during early pregnancy

In ruminants, IFN-tau (IFNT) regulates the production of prostaglandins (PG) in the endometrium, which is crucial for conceptus adhesion. However, the related molecular regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), a member of the FOXO subfamily of transcription factors, is known to be important for mouse implantation and decidualization. In this study, we determined the spatiotemporal expression profile of FOXO1 in goat endometrium during early pregnancy. FOXO1 was highly expressed in the glandular epithelium since the onset of conceptus adhesion (d 16 of pregnancy). Then, we validated that FOXO1 could bind to the promoter of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and increase its transcription. And the expression profile of PTGS2 was similar to that of FOXO1 in the peri-implantation uterus. Moreover, IFNT could upregulate the levels of FOXO1 and PTGS2 in goat uterus and primary endometrial epithelium cells (EEC). In EEC, the intracellular content of PGF2α was positively correlated with the levels of IFNT and FOXO1. Altogether, we found an IFNT/FOXO1/PTGS2 axis that controls the synthesis of PGF2α but not prostaglandin E2 in goat uterine glands. These findings contribute to better understanding the function of FOXO1 in the reproductive physiology of goats and provide more insights into the implantation of small ruminants.