Complement regulation in ovine lymph nodes during early pregnancy

Abstract

A fetus changes immune responses in the uterus and the maternal immune system, and lymph nodes are associated with regulating maternal adaptive immunity. Complement activation is associated with abnormal pregnancy in mice and humans. The aim of the present study was to explore the expression levels of complement components in maternal lymph nodes during early pregnancy in sheep. Maternal inguinal lymph nodes were sampled on day 16 of the estrous cycle, and days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation in ewes. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses were used to detect the expression levels of complement components C1q, C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4a, C5b and C9 in the lymph nodes. The results revealed that the protein and mRNA levels of C1q, C1s and C5b were enhanced during early pregnancy, and that C1r and C4a were upregulated at day 25 of pregnancy. The mRNA and protein levels of C2 and C9 peaked at day 16 of pregnancy, but C3 was decreased at day 25 of pregnancy. C3 protein was located in the subcapsular sinuses and lymph sinuses of the maternal lymph node. In summary, the present study detected changes in the expression levels of complement components in maternal lymph nodes, which may be associated with maternal immune regulation during early pregnancy in sheep.

Early Pregnancy Regulates Expression of IkappaB Family in Ovine Spleen and Lymph Nodes

“…Furthermore, the expression of ISGs, progesterone receptor, prostaglandin synthases, Th cytokines, MT1, gonadotropin-releasing hormone and its receptor, and prolactin and its receptor are changed in lymph nodes during early pregnancy in sheep [ 24 , 25 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. On the other hand, early pregnancy regulates the expression of Toll-like receptor signaling members, complement components, nuclear factor kappa B family and NOD receptors in the ovine maternal lymph nodes [ 9 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Early Pregnancy Modulates Expression of the Nod-like Receptor Family in Lymph Nodes of Ewes

“…Proteins of melatonin receptor 1, gonadotropin-releasing hormone and its receptor, prolactin and its receptor, and a cluster of differentiation 4 are increased in the lymph nodes during ovine early gestation [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Furthermore, gestation regulates expression of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), TNF receptor-associated factor 6, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 [ 29 ], as well as the complement components C1q, C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4a, C5b and C9 and the NF-κB family in maternal lymph nodes [ 30 , 31 ].…”