Trophoblast giant cells express NF-κB2 during early mouse development

• Published in: Developmental genetics 1999, Vol.25 (1), p.23-30
• Main Authors: Muggia, Anna, Teesalu, Tambet, Neri, Antonino, Blasi, Francesco, Talarico, Daniela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Base Sequence; Cells, Cultured; DNA Primers; early mouse development; Embryonic and Fetal Development - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Giant Cells - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Hybridization; in vitro culture of ectoplacental cone; Mice; NF-kappa B - genetics; NF-kappa B p52 Subunit; NF-κB transcription factors; nfkb2; RNA, Messenger - genetics; trophoblast giant cells; Trophoblasts - metabolism
• ISSN: 0192-253X; 1520-6408
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1520-6408(1999)25:1<23::AID-DVG3>3.0.CO;2-K

To investigate whether transcription factors of the NF‐κB family could play a role in early mammalian development, we have analyzed the expression of nfkb1, nfkb2, c‐Rel, RelA, RelB, and bcl‐3 from 6.5‐ to 10.5‐day mouse embryo implantation sites. Our study shows that nfkb2 mRNA and protein are specifically localized in trophoblast giant cells throughout the stages analyzed. Trophoblast giant cells obtained upon in vitro cultures of 7.5‐day ectoplacental cones display NF‐κB DNA‐binding activity that is supershifted by the anti‐NF‐κB2 antibody. Trophoblast giant cells are embryo‐derived cells that form an interface between embryonic and maternal tissues during early mouse development; they are involved in decidual remodeling and expansion of the embryonic cavity, placenta formation, and possibly avoidance of maternal immune response to the embryo. Our study suggests that NF‐κB2 could play a role in the modulation of genes expressed in trophoblast giant cells during the course of early embryogenesis, and therefore be relevant for tissue remodeling and morphogenesis of placenta. Dev. Genet. 25:23–30, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.