Differences in extracellular matrix remodeling in the placenta of mares that retain fetal membranes and mares that deliver fetal membranes physiologically.
Abstract: In mammals, placenta separation at term may involve degradation of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The activity of MMPs is modulated by TIMPs. We hypothesized that the placentas of mares that deliver fetal membranes physiologically and those that retain fetal membranes (FMR) differ in terms of histology; mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9; protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2; and the potential activity of both MMPs. Methods: Placenta biopsies were taken from mares (n = 9; 4 FMR, 5 controls) immediately after foal expulsion. Retention was defined as failure to expel all fetal membranes within 3 h of expulsion. All mares were monitored for time of expulsion. The degree of allantochorial/endometrial adhesion was determined in FMR mares, and biopsies from all mares were histologically examined. mRNA expression, protein immunolocalization, protein amount and potential enzyme activity were determined with RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting and zymography, respectively. Results: FMR mares had strong to extremely strong allantochorial/endometrial adhesion, and significantly more connective tissue in the allantochorial villi than controls. The range of MMP-2 mRNA expression levels was more than 13 times greater in FMR mares than in controls. Protein content of both MMPs and TIMP-2 differed significantly between groups. The range of potential MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was larger in FMR mares, and MMP-2 potential activity was 1.4 times higher in controls (P = 0.02). Conclusions: These results indicate differences in extracellular matrix remodeling in FMR mares and controls, and suggest dysregulation of MMP expression and activation in FMR mares.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-08-07 PubMed ID: 26297153DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.126Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigated differences in the processing of the environment surrounding cells (extracellular matrix) in horse placentas that retain fetal membranes compared to those that deliver them normally. The study posits that the differences in the delivery of fetal membranes are attributable to variations in the expression and activity of certain proteins and enzymes that break down this matrix.
Hypothesis and Methodology
- The researchers hypothesized that the placentas of mares that retained fetal membranes (FMR) differed from those with normal deliveries, in terms of tissue structure, certain protein expressions, as well as the potential activity of enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
- They collected placenta samples from 9 mares (4 FMR, 5 controls) immediately after the delivery of the foal, defining retention as a failure to expel all fetal membranes within 3 hours of delivery.
- The researchers examined the degree of attachment between different layers of the placenta in FMR mares.
- Expression levels of proteins and potential enzyme activity were determined using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting, and zymography, respectively.
Results
- It was found that FMR mares had stronger attachments between different layers of the placenta and more connective tissue in certain areas of the placenta compared to controls.
- The range of MMP-2 protein expression levels was significantly higher in FMR mares than in controls.
- Protein content and the range of potential activity of both enzymes were notably different between the two groups.
- The potential activity of one of the enzymes, MMP-2, was, however, 1.4 times higher in control mares.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that there exist differences in the way extracellular matrix is processed in FMR mares compared to those with regular fetal membrane delivery.
- The research suggests that the expression and activation of MMPs in FMR mares may dysregulated, potentially leading to the retention of fetal membranes.
Cite This Article
APA
Rapacz-Leonard A, Kankofer M, Leonard M, Wawrzykowski J, Dąbrowska M, Raś A, Paździor-Czapula K, Janowski T.
(2015).
Differences in extracellular matrix remodeling in the placenta of mares that retain fetal membranes and mares that deliver fetal membranes physiologically.
Placenta, 36(10), 1167-1177.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.126 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Oczapowskiego 14, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: anna.rapacz@uwm.edu.pl.
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences, ul. Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland.
- University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 14, 10719 Olsztyn, Poland.
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences, ul. Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Oczapowskiego 14, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Oczapowskiego 14, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Oczapowskiego 14, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Case-Control Studies
- Connective Tissue / pathology
- Endometrium / metabolism
- Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
- Extraembryonic Membranes / enzymology
- Extraembryonic Membranes / pathology
- Female
- Horses
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
- Placenta / pathology
- Placenta, Retained / enzymology
- Placenta, Retained / pathology
- Pregnancy
- Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Jaworska J, Ropka-Molik K, Piórkowska K, Szmatoła T, Kowalczyk-Zięba I, Wocławek-Potocka I, Siemieniuch M. Transcriptome Profiling of the Retained Fetal Membranes-An Insight in the Possible Pathogenesis of the Disease. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 3;11(3).
- Barton AK, Richter IG, Ahrens T, Merle R, Alalwani A, Lilge S, Purschke K, Barnewitz D, Gehlen H. MMP-9 Concentration in Peritoneal Fluid Is a Valuable Biomarker Associated with Endotoxemia in Equine Colic. Mediators Inflamm 2021;2021:9501478.
- Warnakulasooriya DN, Marth CD, McLeod JA, Hanlon DW, Krekeler N. Treatment of Retained Fetal Membranes in the Mare-A Practitioner Survey. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:128.
- Rapacz-Leonard A, Leonard M, Chmielewska-Krzesińska M, Siemieniuch M, Janowski TE. The oxytocin-prostaglandins pathways in the horse (Equus caballus) placenta during pregnancy, physiological parturition, and parturition with fetal membrane retention. Sci Rep 2020 Feb 7;10(1):2089.
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