The immunolocalization of cadherins and beta-catenin in the cervix and vagina of cycling cows

Autor: Hakan Sağsöz, Narin Liman
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Veterinary Research Communications.
ISSN: 1573-7446
0165-7380
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10075-4
Popis: The adherens junction (AJ) maintains the structural integrity and barrier function of the epithelial cell layers. AJs also play a key role in a variety of biological and pathological processes, from morphogenesis to tumor progression. AJs perform these functions through the cadherin-catenin adhesion complex. In this study, we investigated the presence, cell-specific localization, and temporal distribution of AJ components such as cadherins and beta-catenin in the cow cervix and vagina during the oestrous cycle using immunohistochemistry. The cow genitalia (n = 30) were collected from an abattoir and the cervix and vagina were categorized into the follicular and luteal groups based on cyclicity. Results demonstrated constitutive expression of beta-catenin and placental (P)- and epithelial (E)-cadherins, but not neural (N)-cadherin, in ciliated and non-ciliated columnar cervical cells, the luminal, parabasal, intermediate, and basal layers of the stratified vaginal epithelium of the bovine cervix and vagina throughout the oestrous cycle. The honeycomb-like membrane staining pattern for selected junctional molecules was observed in the epithelial cells. While there were no noticeable variations in the immunostaining intensity of P- and E-cadherin and beta-catenin proteins in the cervical and vaginal epithelium between the oestrous phases, the immunolocalization patterns altered by structural changes that occurred in response to oestrogen and progesterone hormone levels during the oestrous cycle. These results may indicate that P- and E-cadherin and beta-catenin participate in maintaining the integrity and barrier function of the cervical and vaginal epithelium throughout the oestrous cycle, thus helping to maintain the sterility of the uterine cavity.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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