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Methods for Studying Interferon Tau Stimulated Genes

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Placenta and Trophoblast

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Medicine™ ((MIMM,volume 122))

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Abstract

Interferon (IFN)τ, a Type I IFN produced by the conceptus trophectoderm, is the pregnancy recognition signal in ruminants that prevents development of the endometrial luteolytic mechanism. In addition, IFNτ acts in a paracrine manner on the ovine endometrium to induce or increase expression of type I IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Initially, endometrial explants were cultured with native IFNτ, and the secreted radiolabeled proteins that responded to IFNτ were identified by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Next, the ontogeny of putative ISGs was determined in endometrium from cyclic and pregnant ewes; ISGs were confirmed in cyclic ewes that were infused with IFNτ into the uterus. These studies found that most ISGs are increased in the endometrial stroma and glandular epithelium using signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (Stat1)-dependent pathways. Most ISGs are not induced or increased by IFNτ in the Stat1-negative endometrial luminal epithelium. Recent experiments have used human 2fTGH and U3A (Stat1 null) cells to determine the IFNτ signaling pathway and discover ISGs regulated by IFNτ using transcriptional profiling. Given that ISGs are increased in the endometrium during pregnancy across diverse species, they may be important in establishment of uterine receptivity to implantation of the conceptus.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

    Fuller W. Bazer & Thomas E. Spencer

Authors
  1. Fuller W. Bazer
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  2. Thomas E. Spencer
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Maternal-Fetal Biology Division of Cancer and Developmental Biology Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

    Michael J. Soares

  2. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

    Joan S. Hunt (University Distinguished Professor, Vice Chancellor for Research) (University Distinguished Professor, Vice Chancellor for Research)

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© 2006 Humana Press Inc.

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Bazer, F.W., Spencer, T.E. (2006). Methods for Studying Interferon Tau Stimulated Genes. In: Soares, M.J., Hunt, J.S. (eds) Placenta and Trophoblast. Methods in Molecular Medicine™, vol 122. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-989-3:367

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-989-3:367

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-608-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-989-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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