Bovine scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) exhibit specific patterns of regulation in the endometrium during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy

In mammals, tight regulation of maternal endometrial function is critical for pregnancy success. In bovine species, endometrial expression of members of the scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) has been listed in high-throughput analyses, but very little is known about the involvement of these immune factors during implantation in mammals. To provide first insights into the contribution of SR-A to endometrial physiology, we analysed the expression and regulation of all members of SR-A (SR-A1, SR-A3-SR-A6) during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy in cattle. Levels of SR-A1 were increased on Day 20 of pregnancy, whereas SR-A3 levels were increased on Day 13 of the oestrous cycle and of the pregnancy. Although SR-A4 levels were reduced on Day 20 of the oestrous cycle, they remained high in pregnant animals. SR-A5 levels increased by Day 13 of the oestrous cycle and decreased on Day 20, but remained high in pregnant animals. Interferon-τ does not affect SR-A gene expression, whereas progesterone regulates the expression of the SR-A3 and SR-A5 transcripts. Endometrial SR-A3 appeared significantly higher in cows carrying invitro-produced embryos than in AI cows. Our data suggest that members of the SR-A family are involved in endometrial remodelling and regulation of endometrial gland physiology, both processes being critical for implantation in mammals.

Analysis of STAT1 expression and biological activity reveals interferon-tau-dependent STAT1-regulated SOCS genes in the bovine endometrium

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are critical for the regulation of numerous biological processes. In cattle, microarray analyses identified STAT1 as a differentially expressed gene in the endometrium during the peri-implantation period. To gain new insights about STAT1 during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy, we investigated STAT1 transcript and protein expression, as well as its biological activity in bovine tissue and cells of endometrial origin. Pregnancy increased STAT1 expression on Day 16, and protein and phosphorylation levels on Day 20. In cyclic and pregnant females, STAT1 was located in endometrial cells but not in the luminal epithelium at Day 20 of pregnancy. The expression of STAT1 during the oestrous cycle was not affected by progesterone supplementation. In vivo and in vitro, interferon-tau (IFNT) stimulated STAT1 mRNA expression, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation in IFNT-stimulated endometrial cells, we demonstrated an increase of STAT1 binding on interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH), suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 and 3 (SOCS1, SOCS3) gene promoters consistent with the induction of their transcripts. Our data provide novel molecular insights into the biological functions of STAT1 in the various cells composing the endometrium during maternal pregnancy recognition and implantation.

SOCS genes expression during physiological and perturbed implantation in bovine endometrium

In mammals, suppressor of cytokine signalling (CISH, SOCS1 to SOCS7) factors control signalling pathways involved in the regulation of numerous physiological processes including pregnancy. In order to gain new insights into the biological functions of SOCS in the endometrium, a comprehensive analysis of SOCS gene expression was carried out in bovine caruncular (CAR) and intercaruncular (ICAR) tissues collected i) during the oestrous cycle, ii) at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy and at implantation in inseminated females, iii) following uterine interferon-tau (IFNT) infusion at day 14 post-oestrus, iv) following a period of controlled intravaginal progesterone release and v) following transfer of embryos by somatic-cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The regulatory effects of IFNT on in vitro cultured epithelial and stromal cells were also examined. Altogether, our data showed that CISH, SOCS4, SOCS5 and SOCS7 mRNA levels were poorly affected during luteolysis and pregnancy. In contrast, SOCS1, SOCS2, SOCS3 and SOCS6 mRNA levels were strongly up-regulated at implantation (day 20 of pregnancy). Experimental in vitro and in vivo models demonstrated that only CISH, SOCS1, SOCS2 and SOCS3 were IFNT-induced genes. Immunohistochemistry showed an intense SOCS3 and SOCS6 staining in the nucleus of luminal and glandular epithelium and of stromal cells of pregnant endometrium. Finally, SOCS3 expression was significantly increased in SCNT pregnancies in keeping with the altered immune function previously reported in this model of compromised implantation. Collectively, our data suggest that spatio-temporal changes in endometrial SOCS gene expression reflect the acquisition of receptivity, maternal recognition of pregnancy and implantation.

Immunity and inflammation in the uterus

Microbes often infect the uterus and particularly the endometrium of animals. Infections are most commonly associated with natural service, pregnancy and the post-partum period, leading to inflammation with the elaboration of cytokines, chemokines and prostaglandins. Clinical diseases such as metritis, endometritis and abortion are important causes of infertility. The adaptive immune response to infection has been characterized previously, so the present review aims to highlight the emerging role for innate immunity in the endometrium. The detection of microbes and the innate immune response depends on the detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns by pattern recognition receptors. The main families of pattern recognition receptors are Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors and C-type lectin receptors. These receptors are most often expressed by hematopoietic cells, but the epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium also possess functional receptors. For example, endometrial cells express TLR4 for recognition of the lipopolysaccharide endotoxin of Gram-negative bacteria, leading to secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and prostaglandin E(2) . It is likely that the epithelial and stromal cells provide a first line of defence in the endometrium to alert hematopoietic cells to the presence of microbes within the uterus.