Chemokines in the corpus luteum: Implications of leukocyte chemotaxis

Abstract

Chemokines are small molecular weight peptides responsible for adhesion, activation, and recruitment of leukocytes into tissues. Leukocytes are thought to influence follicular atresia, ovulation, and luteal function. Many studies in recent years have focused attention on the characterization of leukocyte populations within the ovary, the importance of leukocyte-ovarian cell interactions, and more recently, the mechanisms of ovarian leukocyte recruitment. Information about the role of chemokines and leukocyte trafficking (chemotaxis) during ovarian function is important to understanding paracrine-autocrine relationships shared between reproductive and immune systems. Recent advances regarding chemokine expression and leukocyte accumulation within the ovulatory follicle and the corpus luteum are the subject of this mini-review.

Gene expression profiles in the bovine corpus luteum (CL) during the estrous cycle and pregnancy: Possible roles of chemokines in regulating CL function during pregnancy

“…One notable characteristic of chemokine receptors is that many different ligands bind the same receptor and many ligands bind multiple receptors. Eotaxin, lymphotactin and ENA-78, which is a CXC chemokine, bind CCR3, XCR1 and CXCR2, respectively [ 28 ].…”

The Contribution of the Maternal Immune System to the Establishment of Pregnancy in Cattle

“…The last phase of leukocyte migration consists of phagocytic monocytes (Mo); MΦ’s increase in the sow and ewe follicles at the time of ovulation ( 6 , 7 ) (Figure 1 C), possibly in response to peak estradiol concentrations ( 8 ). The temporal changes in the influx of leukocytes appear to occur in response to various chemoattractant cues produced by the developing follicle ( 9 ), indeed leukocyte chemoattractant activity has been demonstrated in bovine, ovine, and human follicular fluid of ovulatory follicles ( 10 – 12 ). Immunohistochemical characterization of the immune cell repertoire of the bovine ovary has largely focused on the formation and regression of the CL, which will be discussed later.…”

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

“…Corpo lúteo e luteólise O CL é descrito como uma glândula temporária formada a partir de um folículo que ovulou, tendo como sua secreção primária a progesterona, esteroide necessário para a ciclicidade ovariana e o estabelecimento e manutenção da gestação na maioria dos mamíferos (MCCRACKEN et al, 1999;NISWENDER et al, 2000;DAVIS & RUEDA, 2002). No CL de ovinos, foram isolados e identificados dois tipos de células esteroidogênicas; as células grandes e as células pequenas, que podem ser identificadas mediante características morfológicas e bioquímicas (FITZ et al, 1982;NISWENDER et al, 1985).…”

“…A produção intraluteal de prostaglandinas já foi descrita em várias espécies (MCCRACKEN et al, 1999;NISWENDER et al, 2000;DAVIS & RUEDA, 2002) e existem evidências que sugerem o funcionamento de um sistema luteal de metabolismo, transporte e sinalização de PGE2 e PGF2 , sugerindo que as prostaglandinas luteais possam contribuir para a autorregulação do CL (HAYASHI et al, 2003;AROSH et al, 2004). Adicionalmente, a estimulação luteal pela PGF2 aumenta a liberação de ocitocina luteal (FLINT & SHELDRICK, 1982), que potencializa a liberação de PGF2 uterina (WATHES & LAMMING, 1995) e luteal (SHIRASUNA et al, 2007).…”