Interferons and the maternal–conceptus dialog in mammals

Abstract

Two-way communication between the conceptus and the mother during early pregnancy is essential if the pregnancy is to survive. In this review, our primary focus is on biochemical communication between the conceptus and mother in the ruminant ungulate species. We emphasize, in particular, the role played by interferon-tau (IFNT) in triggering maternal responses in cattle and sheep and how maternal factors intervene to up-regulate IFNT gene (IFNT) expression in trophoblast. However, we also consider the possibility that different signaling cytokines or the physical presence of trophoblast may induce a partial IFN response in endometrium of those species where there is no evidence for large scale trophoblast IFN production. Conceivably, disparate signaling mechanisms trigger common downstream events necessary to secure a successful pregnancy.

Interferon Stimulated Genes (Isgs): Novel Pregnancy Specific Biomarker In Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis

“…Prominent expression of ISGs in uterine endometrium as well as in PBMCs during early pregnancy period may be indispensible for implantation and maintenance of pregnancy and may play a significant Interferon-tau (IFNT) seems to be a crucial signalling molecule between conceptus and mother, secreted from the trophectoderm cells of blastocysts during days 17 of pregnancy and increases with elongation of conceptus in ruminants [7][8][9] . The IFNT expression was elevated during day 16-17 of pregnancy in cattle 10 .…”

The evolution of interferon-tau

“…We also will speculate why IFNT was selected to serve as the maternal recognition of pregnancy factor in ruminants. Several excellent reviews already exist on this topic (Roberts et al 2003(Roberts et al , 2008. This article will summarize that information and provide additional insights into what has been learned and what still remains unclear about the evolution of IFNT.…”

“…IFND emerged in mammal genomes much earlier than IFNT, and it is not a direct ancestor of IFNT (Cochet et al 2009). Noteworthy features about IFND gene retention in mammals and its potential biological functions during pregnancy in pigs have been described elsewhere (Roberts et al 2008, Sang et al 2014.…”

“…Higher primates, for example, produce chorionic gonadotrophin (CG; hCG in humans) to maintain CL function. Sheep, cattle, goats and presumably other pecoran ruminants rescue CL function by preventing the pulsatile release of uterine prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), the luteolytic agent that causes CL regression (Spencer et al 2004, Roberts et al 2008). This event is one critical feature of physiological adjustments the maternal system must make in order to accommodate pregnancy.…”

Função do interferon-tau durante o reconhecimento materno da gestação em ruminantes

“…O IFNT é um produto secretado em grandes quantidades pelas células do trofoblasto do concepto (embrião e anexos embrionários) de ruminantes antes da implantação (FARIN et al, 1989;GUILLOMOT et al, 1990;GRAY et al, 2002). É classificado como interferon do tipo I e sua principal função é evitar o retorno à ciclicidade, preservando o funcionamento do corpo lúteo (CL) durante a gestação (para revisão ROBERTS et al, 2008). O IFNT produzido pelo concepto age de maneira parácrina no útero, inibindo a expressão dos receptores de estrógeno (ESR1) e de ocitocina (OXTR) no epitélio luminal do endométrio, evitando assim, a liberação de pulsos luteolíticos de prostaglandina F2 alfa (PGF2 ; SPENCER & BAZER, 1996), hormônio responsável pelo início da luteólise (MCCRACKEN et al, 1970).…”