isolation-primary-human-decidual-cells-from-fetal-membranes-term

Isolation of Primary Human Decidual Cells from the Fetal Membranes of Term Placentae

The decidua, also known as the pregnant endometrium, is a critically important reproductive tissue. Decidual cells, comprised mainly of decidualized ...

University of Toronto

Sinai Health System

Peripheral maternal leukocytes are activated in response to cytokines secreted by uterine tissues of pregnant women.

Preterm labour (PTL) is a leading cause of perinatal mortality and postnatal morbidity. Contractions of the uterine muscle (myometrium) that determine the onset of labour depend on the expression of contraction-associated proteins (CAPs, i.e. connexin43) regulated by dimeric AP-1 transcription factors. Here, we examined subcellular (by immunoblotting) and tissue expression (by immunohistochemistry) of myometrial AP-1 proteins (cJUN, JUNB, JUND, cFOS, FOSB, FRA1, FRA2) throughout gestation and TL in different species (mouse, rat and human). To identify the critical AP-1 members associated with preterm birth, we studied their expression in mouse model of 'infectious' (LPS-induced) and 'sterile' (RU486-induced) PTL. We found that (1) myometrial AP-1 composition is preserved in vivo between different species (rodents and human) indicating that Fos/Jun heterodimer (i.e. FRA2/JUND) may be indispensable for labour initiation. (2) Our in vivo study using murine models of gestation shows that there is a similarity in the myometrial AP-1 protein composition during TL and pathological PTL of different aetiology suggesting the involvement of similar molecular machinery in the induction of labour. (3) This study is first comprehensive protein analysis of seven AP-1 members in human labouring versus non-labouring myometrium, showing their cellular expression and tissue distribution in relation to labour status.

Tali Farine

Department of Physiology

University of Toronto

Isolation of Primary Human Decidual Cells from the Fetal Membranes of Term Placentae

Tali Farine

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Physiology

University of Toronto

Isolation of Primary Human Decidual Cells from the Fetal Membranes of Term Placentae

Department of Physiology