RESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to determine the respective role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on vaginal epithelium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor expression in ovariectomized rats and vitamin D3 treated rats. Bilateral ovariectomies were performed in 20 mature, non-pregnant Wistar female rats. All the animals were divided into 2 groups consisting of 10 rats each. Group I served as control. In group II, animals were injected intramuscularly with vitamin D3 (50, 00 IU/kg). Two weeks after the injections, vaginas of animals in group I and group II were removed removed and processed for immunohistochemistry. Epithelial differentiation, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and cornifin beta expression were investigated in vaginal epithelium of control group (ovariectomized) and vitamin D3 treated rats. Vaginal epithelial cells from vitamin D3 treated animals changed into highly- stratified keratinizing layers. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and cornifin beta as a marker of squamous differentiation were present in ovariectomized rats treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In contrast, cornifin beta and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor were absent in all layers of vaginal epithelium in control group. We demonstrated for the first time that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induced proliferation of vaginal epithelium consistent with the cornifin beta expression and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 up-regulated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor expression in vaginal epithelium.
Asunto(s)
Calcitriol/fisiología , Proteínas de la Membrana/biosíntesis , Receptores de Calcitriol/biosíntesis , Vagina/metabolismo , Animales , Proliferación Celular , Proteínas Ricas en Prolina del Estrato Córneo , Células Epiteliales/citología , Células Epiteliales/metabolismo , Epitelio/metabolismo , Femenino , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Vagina/citologíaRESUMEN
Implantation presents the remarkable synchronisation between the development of embryo and differentiation of endometrium. Cell-cell adhesion is an important phenomenon taking place during blastocyst implantation in uterine membrane. We think that the investigation of existence and the level of integrins in women can be a guide for treatment of infertility. Our purpose in this study was to show expression beta1 and beta4 integrins on gestational days 4, 6, 12 by immunohistochemical methods and to investigate whether beta4 integrin is a useful marker for receptivity. beta1 and beta4 integrin were exhibited on surface epithelium on gestational day 4. On the other hand, strong beta4 immunoreactivity was detected on surface epithelium and glandular cells on gestational day 12 but no beta1 reactivity was present in the surface epithelium and glandular cells on day 12. In conclusion, both beta1 and beta4 integrins may have a role in implantation process because positive immunoreactivity was seen on apical membrane of surface epithelium on day 4 when implantation occurred. The localization to apical pole of surface epithelium suggest a role for beta1, beta4 integrins in initial embryo and endometrium interaction. It does not seem that beta1 integrin has a role supporting pregnancy since expression of beta4 on surface epithelium and glandular epithelium disappeared on day 12. beta4 integrin expression increasing on day 12 of pregnancy leads us to think a possible functional role supporting pregnancy.