Uterine cellular changes during mammalian pregnancy and the evolution of placentation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica S Dudley ◽  
Christopher R Murphy ◽  
Michael B Thompson ◽  
Bronwyn M McAllan
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Uterine Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cellular Changes ◽  
Different Types

Abstract There are many different forms of nutrient provision in viviparous (live bearing) species. The formation of a placenta is one method where the placenta functions to transfer nutrients from mother to fetus (placentotrophy), transfer waste from the fetus to the mother and respiratory gas exchange. Despite having the same overarching function, there are different types of placentation within placentotrophic vertebrates, and many morphological changes occur in the uterus during pregnancy to facilitate formation of the placenta. These changes are regulated in complex ways but are controlled by similar hormonal mechanisms across species. This review describes current knowledge of the morphological and molecular changes to the uterine epithelium preceding implantation among mammals. Our aim is to identify the commonalities and constraints of these cellular changes to understand the evolution of placentation in mammals and propose directions for future research. We compare and discuss the complex modifications to the ultrastructure of uterine epithelial cells and show that there are similarities in the changes to the cytoskeleton and gross morphology of the uterine epithelial cells, especially of the apical and lateral plasma membrane of the cells during the formation of a placenta in all eutherians and marsupials studied to date. We conclude that further research is needed to understand the evolution of placentation among viviparous mammals, particularly concerning the level of placental invasiveness, hormonal control and genetic underpinnings of pregnancy in marsupial taxa.

310. CAVEOLIN 1 AND 2 IN THE UTERUS DURING EARLY PREGNANCY

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
R. J. Madawala ◽  
C. R. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Basolateral Membrane ◽  
Membrane Curvature ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Uterine Epithelial Cells ◽  
Caveolin 1 ◽  
Blastocyst Implantation

Rat uterine epithelial cells undergo many changes during early pregnancy in order to become receptive to blastocyst implantation. These changes include basolateral folding and the presence of vesicles of various sizes which are at their greatest number during the pre-implantation period. The present study investigated the possible role that caveolin 1 and 2 plays in this remodelling specifically days 1, 3, 6, 7, and 9 of pregnancy. Caveolin is a major protein in omega shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane called caveolae that are considered to be specialised plasma membrane subdomains. Caveolae are rich in cholesterol, glycosphingolipids, and GPI anchored proteins and are involved in endocytosis and membrane curvature. Immunofluorescence microscopy has shown caveolin 1 and 2 on day 1 of pregnancy are localised to the cytoplasm of luminal uterine epithelial cells, and by day 6 of pregnancy (the time of implantation), it concentrates basally. By day 9 of pregnancy, expression of both caveolin 1 and 2 in luminal uterine epithelia is cytoplasmic as seen on day 1 of pregnancy. A corresponding increase in protein expression of caveolin 1 on day 6 of pregnancy in luminal uterine epithelia was observed. Interestingly however, caveolin 2 protein expression decreases at the time of implantation as found by western blot analysis. Both caveolin 1 and 2 were localised to blood vessels within the endometrium and myometrium and also the muscle of the myometrium in all days of pregnancy studied. In addition, both caveolin 1 and 2 were absent from glandular epithelium, which is interesting considering that they do not undergo the plasma membrane transformation. The localisation and expression of caveolin 1 and 2 in rat luminal uterine epithelium at the time of implantation suggest possible roles in trafficking of cholesterol and/or various proteins for either degradation or relocation. Caveolins may contribute to the morphology of the basolateral membrane seen on day 6 of pregnancy. All of which may play an important role during successful blastocyst implantation.

scholarly journals Research on ecosystem services in Brazil: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucilia Maria Parron ◽  
Elaine Cristina Cardoso Fidalgo ◽  
Alessandra Polli Luz ◽  
Monica Matoso Campanha ◽  
Ana Paula Dias Turetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Graduate Courses ◽  
Scenario Analyses ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Evaluation And Monitoring ◽  
Hydrological Services

Studies using the ‘ecosystem services’ (ES) approach developed in Brazil based on the framework of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), and range from quantitative and qualitative evaluation to the development of economic instruments for payment for ecosystem services (PES) or compensation for their maintenance, mainly for hydrological services. In order to summarize current knowledge regarding ES, the structure for teaching in ES, and also to provide a basis for future research in Brazil, we carried out a systematic review of publications on ES and a study on the availability of undergraduate and graduate courses related to ES. We found 282 publications for the 2006-2017 period, which included peer-reviewed articles, books, book chapters, theses, dissertations, articles in annals and technical publications. We identified current knowledge, knowledge gaps and trends in ES researches that may guide surveys and scenario analyses for future studies, in different biomes and regions of the country. Atlantic Forest and Amazon are the most-studied biome. Most of the studies were related to the evaluation of different types of ES and to the development of methodologies for their evaluation and monitoring.  The most common ES are related to biodiversity, carbon sequestration and water.

I. Visions of epithelial research

2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (4) ◽  
pp. G547-G550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshall H. Montrose
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Laser Capture Microdissection ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
The Body ◽  
Transepithelial Transport ◽  
Future Research ◽  
New Methodologies ◽  
Functionally Diverse ◽  
Microarray Analyses ◽  
Laser Capture

Epithelial cells are gatekeepers that sit at the interface between two compartments. By controlling the flow of molecules and information between two compartments, epithelial cells provide unique benefit to the body. This article provides a brief appraisal of our current knowledge about the functions of gastrointestinal epithelial cells as a functionally diverse set of cells mediating transepithelial transport and as a continually renewing layer of cells. The convergence of new methodologies in laser capture microdissection, microarray analyses, microscopic analyses, and generation of mutant animals provides an exciting template for future research.

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