The embryo--maternal dialogue during early pregnancy in primates

Hearn, Jack

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0760809

Cited by 82 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…However, based on our observations, no clearcut division between inhibitory or activating haplotypes, as observed in humans, exists in rhesus macaques, which is a confirmation of previous findings [36,37]. Indeed, if placentation is a strong selective force in humans [44], in rhesus macaques this influence may be less because the trophoblast-maternal interface is much smaller [45]. Recently, human KIR gene organization was compared with that of chimpanzee [46].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The extreme plasticity of killer cell Ig‐like receptor (KIR) haplotypes differentiates rhesus macaques from humans

et al. 2011

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NK cells are essential in shaping immune responses and play an important role during pregnancy and in controlling infections. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) educate the NK cell and determine its state of activation. Our goal was to determine how the KIR repertoire of the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) has been shaped during evolution. The presence or absence of 22 KIR gene groups was determined in 378 animals. Some unexpected observations were made in an outbred colony comprising animals of different origins. For instance, the KIR region appears to be highly plastic, and an unprecedented number of genotypes and haplotypes was observed. In contrast to humans, there is no distinction between group A and B haplotypes in the rhesus macaque, suggesting that different selective forces may be operative. Moreover, specific genes appear to be either present or absent in animals of different geographic origins. This extreme plasticity may have been propelled by co-evolution with the rhesus macaque MHC class I region, which shows signatures of expansion. The mosaic-like complexity of KIR genotypes as observed at the population level may represent an effective strategy for surviving epidemic infections. [3] but they are also involved with the vascularisation process during placentation, and thus contribute to reproductive success [4]. The education and activation state of the NK-cell is determined by the interactions of its receptors with their cognate ligands [5]. It is the shift in equilibrium of inhibitory and activating receptor signaling that ultimately leads to NK-cell activation in the form of cytokine production, cytotoxicity, or priming of the adaptive immune system [6].Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) may influence this balance through interactions with their ligands, the MHC molecules, which are called human leukocyte antigens 2719(HLA) in humans. Since both the HLA system and the KIR gene complex are characterized by variation in locus content, and segregate independent of each other, the potential array of interactions can vary considerably between individuals. Understanding the evolution and complexity of these receptor systems has broad medical relevance, since particular combinations of KIR and HLA alleles are associated with the outcome of viral infection, relapse of leukemia after transplantation, susceptibility to autoimmune disease, and successful pregnancy [7][8][9][10]. Because of its close evolutionary relationship to humans, and evidenced by similar immunological responses, the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is an important animal model to study the onset, progression, and outcome of infectious diseases, experimentally induced autoimmunity, and transplantation [11][12][13]. Moreover, certain human pathogens or their simiantrophic family members have adapted to primates as their natural host, and may show a host-specific pathology. Since in an experimental setting the onset of disease or the actual challenge with a pathogen can be controlled, it is possible to stu...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The extreme plasticity of killer cell Ig‐like receptor (KIR) haplotypes differentiates rhesus macaques from humans

et al. 2011

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“…For the common marmoset, which serves as a preferred primate model in biomedicine in general and in reproductive research specifically (Moore et al 1985, Hearn 1986, Saunders et al 1987, Smith et al 1987, Hearn et al 1988, we previously found that CG is strongly expressed in the marmoset pituitary instead of LH (Muller et al 2004b). This finding was confirmed when only CGB but not LHB gene expression was found in the NWM Ma's night monkey (Aotus nancymaae) and the brown squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis; Scammell et al 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel two-promoter-one-gene system of the chorionic gonadotropin β gene enables tissue-specific expression

Adams

Henke²,

Gromoll³

2011

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology

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The New World monkey (NWM), Callithrix jacchus, a preferred model in medical research, displays an interesting endocrine regulation of reproduction: LH, the heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, is functionally replaced by the chorionic gonadotropin (CG), a hormone indispensable for establishment of pregnancy in humans and normally expressed in the placenta. In the marmoset pituitary, the expression of the b-subunit (CGB) gene is regulated similar to human LH b-subunit, but its placental regulation is unknown. This study intended to decipher the underlying mechanism of tissue-specific expression of CGB in the marmoset placenta. We identified a new placental transcriptional start site, described a new, previously undiscovered exon, and define a novel placental core promoter in the marmoset CGB gene. This promoter contains a TATA box and binding sites for activating protein 2 and selective promoter factor 1, the latter acting synergistically by forming a regulation cassette. Differential first exon usage directed the tissue-specific expression. Methylation analyses revealed a tissue-specific pattern in the placental promoter indicating additional epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Our findings point toward a hitherto unknown evolutionary plasticity in the LH/CG hormonal system in NWM, which could be used as a model to study human CGB regulation in clinical pathologies.

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“…Implantation is highly invasive and interstitial in man and the apes, but relatively superficial in monkeys (simians) Hertig & Rock, 1945;Hendrickx & Enders, 1980;Enders et ai, 1983;Moore et ai, 1985;Hearn & Summers, 1986;Smith et ai, 1987;Hearn et ai, 1988a, b, in press; Enders, 1989). Therefore, the morphology of implantation is now relatively well described for a few primate species, showing a similar general pattern, albeit with distinct species differences (Hearn, 1986).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Chorionic gonadotrophin and embryo-maternal recognition during the peri-implantation period in primates

Hearn

Webley²,

Gidley-Baird³

1991

Reproduction

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The embryo--maternal dialogue during early pregnancy in primates

Cited by 82 publications

References 27 publications

The extreme plasticity of killer cell Ig‐like receptor (KIR) haplotypes differentiates rhesus macaques from humans

The extreme plasticity of killer cell Ig‐like receptor (KIR) haplotypes differentiates rhesus macaques from humans

A novel two-promoter-one-gene system of the chorionic gonadotropin β gene enables tissue-specific expression

Chorionic gonadotrophin and embryo-maternal recognition during the peri-implantation period in primates

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