Project description:In this study, a genetically repressed VEGF mouse model was used to analyze uterus transcriptome at G2.5 (gestation day 2.5) by Solexa/ Illumina’s digital gene expression (DGE) system. 831 uterus-specific and 2398 VEGF regulated genes were identified. Gene ontology analysis indicated that genes actively involved in uterus development were members of collagen biosynthesis, cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. Uterus-specific genes were enriched in activities of phosphatidyl inositol phosphate kinase, histone H3-K36 demethylation and protein acetylation. Among VEGF regulated genes, up-regulated genes were associated with RNA polymerase III activity while down-regulated genes were strongly associated with muscle development.Comparable numbers of antisense RNA transcripts were also identified. Expression levels of the antisense RNAs were found tightly correlated with their sense expression levels, an indication of possibly non-specific transcripts generated around the active promoters and enhancers. The antisense RNAs with exceptionally high or low expression levels and the antisense RNAs under VEGF regulation were also identified. These transcripts may be important candidates in regulation of uterus development. This study provides a global survey on genes and antisense transcripts regulated by VEGF in the pre-implantation stage. Results will contribute to the further studies of candidate genes and pathways in regulating implantation process and related diseases. Uteri mRNA profiles of G2.5 VEGF-normal (Dox+) and VEGF-repression (Dox-) were generated by Solexa/ Illumina’s digital gene expression (DGE) system.
Project description:In this study, a genetically repressed VEGF mouse model was used to analyze uterus transcriptome at G2.5 (gestation day 2.5) by Solexa/ Illumina’s digital gene expression (DGE) system. 831 uterus-specific and 2398 VEGF regulated genes were identified. Gene ontology analysis indicated that genes actively involved in uterus development were members of collagen biosynthesis, cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. Uterus-specific genes were enriched in activities of phosphatidyl inositol phosphate kinase, histone H3-K36 demethylation and protein acetylation. Among VEGF regulated genes, up-regulated genes were associated with RNA polymerase III activity while down-regulated genes were strongly associated with muscle development.Comparable numbers of antisense RNA transcripts were also identified. Expression levels of the antisense RNAs were found tightly correlated with their sense expression levels, an indication of possibly non-specific transcripts generated around the active promoters and enhancers. The antisense RNAs with exceptionally high or low expression levels and the antisense RNAs under VEGF regulation were also identified. These transcripts may be important candidates in regulation of uterus development. This study provides a global survey on genes and antisense transcripts regulated by VEGF in the pre-implantation stage. Results will contribute to the further studies of candidate genes and pathways in regulating implantation process and related diseases.
Project description:Embryo implantation is a complex process which involves biochemical and physiological interactions between an implantation-competent blastocyst and a receptive uterus. However, the exact biochemical changes of uterine fluid, uterus, and plasma during peri-implantation remain unclear. This study aims to characterize the biochemical and metabolic changes that occur during the peri-implantation period of early pregnancy, using mice as an animal model. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the metabolite profiles of the uterus, uterine fluid, and maternal plasma at pre-implantation and implantation. The multivariate analyses, ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test, were applied to detect significant changes in metabolites and metabolic pathways. The metabolic networks were reconstructed in silico based on the identified metabolites and KEGG metabolic framework. Between pre-implantation day 1 and day 4, dramatic metabolic changes were observed in the uterine fluid that could be important for blastocyst development and protection against the harsh uterine environment. Palmitoleic acid, fumaric acid, and glutaric acid changed levels at day 4 in the uterus, suggesting that they may be associated with endometrial receptivity. Both the uterus and maternal plasma showed profound changes in cellular metabolism at the early implantation period, including upregulation of branched-chain amino acids and intermediates of one-carbon metabolism, an upregulation of glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and downregulation of aerobic respiration; all of which could be involved in the regulation of the maternal-fetal interface, alternative nutrient utilization, and energy preservation for implantation as well as later placentation and fetal development to ensure successful embryo implantation.
Project description:The aim of this study was to examine differential gene expression profile in mouse uterus on day 5 of pregnancy between implantation sites and inter-implantation sites. There are 104,520 tags sequenced and acquired, 51,306 for non-implantation site, and 53,214 for implantation site. Keywords: Implantation, Uterus, Differential gene expression, Implantation sites and inter-implantation sites were isolated from the mouse uteri on day 5 of pregnancy from at least 20 mice. Implantation sites were identified by tail-vein injection of 0.1 ml of 1% Chicago blue 5 min before sample collection. SAGE analysis was used to examine differential gene expression in mouse uterus during embryo implantation.
Project description:Establishment of the mammalian body plan occurs shortly after the embryo implants into the maternal uterus, and our understanding of post-implantation developmental processes remains limited. While methods for in vitro culture of pre- and peri-implantation mouse embryos are routinely utilized, approaches for robust culture of post-implantation embryos from egg cylinder stages until advanced organogenesis remain to be established. We develop herein highly stable ex utero post-implantation mouse embryo culture platforms, that enable appropriate development of embryos before gastrulation (E5.5) until the hind limb formation stage (E11). Late gastrulating embryos (E7.5) are grown in 3D rotating bottles settings, while extended culture from pre-gastrulation stages (E5.5 or E6.5) requires a combination of novel static and rotating bottle culture protocols. Histological, molecular, and single cell RNA-seq analysis validate that the ex utero developed embryos recapitulate precisely in utero development. This culture system is amenable to introducing a variety of embryonic perturbations and micro-manipulations that can be followed ex utero for up to 6 days. Establishment of a system to robustly grow normal mouse embryos ex utero from pre-gastrulation to advanced organogenesis represents a valuable tool to investigate post-implantation embryogenesis, eliminating the uterine barrier to mechanistically interrogate morphogenesis and tissue specification in mammals.
Project description:The aim of this study was to examine differential gene expression profile in mouse uterus on day 5 of pregnancy between implantation sites and inter-implantation sites. There are 104,520 tags sequenced and acquired, 51,306 for non-implantation site, and 53,214 for implantation site. Keywords: Implantation, Uterus, Differential gene expression,
Project description:Comparison of the gene expression profiles of pre-implantation embryos at day 3.5 post coitum from normal pregnant mice (control); embryos from mice treated with ICI (specific estrogen receptor inhibitor); and embryos in the oviduct that were blocked from entering the uterus by ligation. Results provide insight into the function of estrogen regulated genes and uterine factors involved in the early implantation process. RNA were extracted from 3 groups of 100-120 embryos (a) embryos at d3.5 from uterus of normal pregnant mice; (b) embryos at d3.5 from uterus of ICI treated mice; and (c) embryos at d3.5 from the ligated oviduct.