Spatiotemporal expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C in mice fetal-maternal tissues during periimplantation (D4–D7)

Abstract

Objective: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a glycoprotein acting as a potent angiogenic factor. This growth factor initiates vasculogenesis and promotes angiogenesis during early embryogenesis which is crucial for successful pregnancy. The present study determines the cell types expressing VEGF-C and its intensity in mice fetal-maternal tissue during periimplantation (D4–D7). Settings: Molecular Endocrinology & Reproductive Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Materials and methods: VEGF-C was localized in the fetal-maternal tissues using anti VEGF-C monoclonal antibody in paraffin embedded sections. Western blot and immunohistochemical studies were performed using DAB for chromogenic reactions to study the expression of VEGF-C. The growth factor transcript was detected by Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). Main outcome measures: VEGF-C was localized in the uterine epithelium and glandular epithelium on D4 and D5 of gestation. The decidual cells of primary decidual zone (PDZ) on D5 which expands to secondary decidual zone (SDZ) on D6 showed the expression of VEGF-C. The trophectodermal cells and cells of ectoplacental cone on the embryo showed expression of the growth factor. Intensity of the growth factor was different in different cell types. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis confirmed translation and transcription of the growth factor during this period. Major conclusion: Programmed spatio - temporal VEGF-C expression in fetal-maternal tissue during periimplantation (D4–D7) in mice could be the key process for growth and development of the embryo. Expression of the growth factor changes quantitatively in different cell types according to the requirements during early embryogenesis.

Keywords

• Decidual cells
• Ectoplacental cone
• Embryogenesis
• Periimplantation
• VEGF-C