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BMC veterinary research2019; 15(1); 465; doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2215-z

Different expression of Defensin-B gene in the endometrium of mares of different age during the breeding season.

Abstract: Despite being one of the major causes of infertility in mares, the mechanisms responsible for equine endometrosis are still unclear and controversial. In the last few years, many investigations focused on local immune response modulation. Since it is generally accepted that endometrial fibrosis increases with age, we hypothesize that older mares could show altered local immune modulation, initiating a pro-inflammatory and tissue remodeling cascade of events that could lead to endometrosis. The aim of this study, indeed, is to evaluate and describe the local gene expression of genes involved in acute inflammatory response and fibrosis (COL1A1, COL3A1, TNFA, MMP9, IL6, TGFB1 and TGFBR1), together with others associated to immune modulation (DEFB4B, IDO1 and FOXP3), in uterine specimens from mares of different age. Results: Twenty-five Standardbred mares were involved in the study with age ranging from 7 to 19 years (mean 10.40 ± 4.42). They were divided by age into two groups: G1 (n = 15, less than 10 years old) and G2 (N = 10, greater than 11 years old). Specimens from the uterus' right horn-body junction were collected and processed for histology evaluation and RT-qPCR assay.Gene expression of DEFB4B, MMP9 and TNFA was higher in younger mares, suggesting a balance in immune modulation and tissue remodeling. Interleukin-6 and COL3A1 gene expressions were greater in older animals, probably indicating inflammatory pathways activation and fibrosis increase. Although no differences in fibrosis and inflammation distribution could be found with histological examination among G1 and G2, our results suggest a possible involvement of DEF4BB in regulating the local immune response in younger mare's uterus (G1); age may contribute to the dis-regulation of DEFB4B transcription and, indirectly, influence the extracellular matrix homeostasis. Transcription of IDO1 and FOXP3 genes, instead, does not seem to be age related, or to be involved in local immune-response and tissue remodeling functions. Conclusions: Further investigations are needed in order to clarify the interactions between the expression of DEFB4B, IL6, TNFA, COL3A1 and MMP9 and other local signals of immune-modulation and tissue remodeling, in mares in a prospective study design.
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Publication Date: 2019-12-21 PubMed ID: 31864349PubMed Central: PMC6925900DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2215-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on the different expression of the Defensin-B gene in mares’ endometrium during the breeding season, exploring how this could impact equine endometrosis, a major cause of infertility. The study samples were segregated by age and evaluated for gene expression to determine the relationship between age and immune modulation.

Objective and Hypothesis

  • The researchers aim to understand the local gene expression involved in immune modulation, acute inflammation response, and fibrosis in the uterus of mares at distinct age intervals.
  • The hypothesis is that older mares might display altered local immune modulation, prompting a pro-inflammatory cascade and tissue remodeling activities potentially leading to endometrosis.

Methodology

  • Twenty-five Standardbred mares aged between 7 to 19 years were analyzed in the study, split into two groups by age (G1: less than 10 years and G2: greater than 11 years).
  • Uterus samples were taken from these mares for histology evaluation and tests to determine the expression of various genes.

Results Analysis

  • Findings showed higher expression of the DEFB4B, MMP9 and TNFA genes in younger mares, indicating a balance in immune modulation and tissue remodeling.
  • In contrast, older mares displayed greater expressions of Interleukin-6 and COL3A1 genes, suggesting the activation of inflammatory pathways and increased fibrosis.
  • It was proposed that age may contribute to the dis-regulation of DEFB4B transcription, impacting the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix.
  • However, the transcription of the IDO1 and FOXP3 genes appeared unrelated to age or the functions of local immune-response and tissue remodeling.

Conclusion and Further Study

  • While the distribution of fibrosis and inflammation remained the same between the two groups in histological examination, the results suggest a potential involvement of DEF4BB in regulating the local immune response in younger mares.
  • The authors concluded that more research is required to clarify the interactions between the expression of DEFB4B, IL6, TNFA, COL3A1 and MMP9 genes, and other local signals of immune-modulation and tissue remodeling.

Cite This Article

APA
(2019). Different expression of Defensin-B gene in the endometrium of mares of different age during the breeding season. BMC Vet Res, 15(1), 465. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-2215-z

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 465
PII: 465

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Defensins / genetics
  • Defensins / metabolism
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibrosis
  • Gene Expression
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / metabolism
  • Horses / physiology
  • Inflammation
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The Authors have no personal interest, direct or indirect, in any matter that raises or may raise a conflict and declare that they have no financial competing interests. Authors Lakamy Sylla and Giuseppe Stradaioli, as Associate Editors, had no role in the editorial process.

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Citations

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