| Popis: |
The known accumulation of macrophages in corpora lutea (CL) at the time of luteal regression prompted us to investigate whether the chemoattractant protein monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is expressed in the rat CL. On the day of confirmed mating (Day 0 of pregnancy), regressing CL from the previous (nonfertile) estrous cycle contained immunodetectable MCP-1 and numerous monocytes/macrophages, whereas the newly formed CL of pregnancy, within the same ovary, contained little MCP-1 and few monocytes/macrophages. MCP-1 diminished in the regressing CL on Days 3 and 9 of pregnancy, although numerous monocytes/macrophages remained. The CL of pregnancy on Days 3 and 9 of pregnancy contained minimal MCP-1 and relatively few monocytes/macrophages. By Days 17 and 21 of pregnancy, however, prior to parturition and prior to an accumulation of monocytes/macrophages, expression of MCP-1 increased in the CL of pregnancy. Northern blots revealed a resurgence of luteal MCP-1 mRNA on Day 21 of pregnancy: 3805 +/- 1077 on Day 21 vs. 1059 +/- 177 on Day 9 (p0.05; expressed as densitometric units relative to beta-actin). In conclusion, the expression of MCP-1 in the rat CL in association with, or preceding, the appearance of monocytes/macrophages at the time of luteal regression is consistent with the known role of MCP-1 as a potent chemoattractant for monocytes/macrophages. This suggests that MCP-1 might have a prominent role in the immunological process of luteal regression. |
