Localization of Connective Tissue Growth Factor during the Period of Embryo Implantation in the Mouse¹

^a Departments of Surgery and ^b Medical Biochemistry, The Ohio State University and Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205

A role for connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in reproductive function has been suggested from recent studies in the pig. To extend these findings, we have analyzed the immunohistochemical localization of CTGF during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in mice. During the diestrous and early proestrous stages, CTGF was localized at high levels to both luminal and glandular uterine epithelial cells and at much lower levels in the stroma or myometrium. Epithelial expression of CTGF was considerably reduced at estrus. On Days 1.5–3.5 of pregnancy, CTGF was localized mainly to the uterine epithelial cells, which showed a substantially reduced level of CTGF on Day 4.5. On Days 5.5 and 6.5, CTGF was present at high levels in uterine decidual cells. CTGF was detected in the trophectoderm and inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo on Day 4.5 and became preferentially localized to embryonic endoderm and mesoderm on Days 5.5–6.5. Multiple mass forms of CTGF (M_r 14 000–38 000) were present in endometrial extracts and uterine luminal flushings. Collectively, these data support a role for CTGF in uterine cell growth, migration, adhesion, and extracellular matrix production during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy, as well as in early development of the embryo.

¹ This work was supported by NIH grant HD30334 awarded to D.R.B.

² Correspondence: D.R. Brigstock, Department of Surgery, Wexner Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Dr., Columbus, OH 43205. FAX: 614 722 2716;brigstod{at}pediatrics.ohio-state.edu

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Rimon, B. Chen, A. L. Shanks, D. M. Nelson, and Y. Sadovsky Hypoxia in Human Trophoblasts Stimulates the Expression and Secretion of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Endocrinology, June 1, 2008; 149(6): 2952 - 2958. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Chen, H. Ni, X.-H. Ma, S.-J. Hu, L.-M. Luan, G. Ren, Y.-C. Zhao, S.-J. Li, H.-L. Diao, X. Xu, et al. Global analysis of differential luminal epithelial gene expression at mouse implantation sites. J. Mol. Endocrinol., August 1, 2006; 37(1): 147 - 161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Klein, S. Bauersachs, S. E. Ulbrich, R. Einspanier, H. H.D. Meyer, S. E.M. Schmidt, H.-D. Reichenbach, M. Vermehren, F. Sinowatz, H. Blum, et al. Monozygotic Twin Model Reveals Novel Embryo-Induced Transcriptome Changes of Bovine Endometrium in the Preattachment Period Biol Reprod, February 1, 2006; 74(2): 253 - 264. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. C. Trackman and A. Kantarci CONNECTIVE TISSUE METABOLISM AND GINGIVAL OVERGROWTH Crit. Rev. Oral. Biol. Med., May 1, 2004; 15(3): 165 - 175. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E E-D A Moussad, M A E Rageh, A K Wilson, R D Geisert, and D R Brigstock Temporal and spatial expression of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2; CTGF) and transforming growth factor {beta} type 1 (TGF-{beta}1) at the utero-placental interface during early pregnancy in the pig Mol. Pathol., June 1, 2002; 55(3): 186 - 192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M A E Rageh, E E-D A Moussad, A K Wilson, and D R Brigstock Steroidal regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2; CTGF) synthesis in the mouse uterus Mol. Pathol., October 1, 2001; 54(5): 338 - 346. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Uzumcu, M.F.A. Homsi, D.K. Ball, S. Coskun, K. Jaroudi, J.M.G. Hollanders, and D.R. Brigstock Localization of connective tissue growth factor in human uterine tissues Mol. Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2000; 6(12): 1093 - 1098. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Binart, C. Helloco, C. J. Ormandy, J. Barra, P. Clement-Lacroix, N. Baran, and P. A. Kelly Rescue of Preimplantatory Egg Development and Embryo Implantation in Prolactin Receptor-Deficient Mice after Progesterone Administration Endocrinology, July 1, 2000; 141(7): 2691 - 2697. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. R. Brigstock The Connective Tissue Growth Factor/Cysteine- Rich 61/Nephroblastoma Overexpressed (CCN) Family Endocr. Rev., April 1, 1999; 20(2): 189 - 206. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				P. R. Segarini, J. E. Nesbitt, D. Li, L. G. Hays, J. R. Yates III, and D. F. Carmichael The Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein/alpha 2-Macroglobulin Receptor Is a Receptor for Connective Tissue Growth Factor J. Biol. Chem., October 26, 2001; 276(44): 40659 - 40667. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]