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Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, Vol. 48, 699-708, May 2000, Copyright © 2000, The Histochemical Society, Inc.

ARTICLE

Fluctuating Gene Expression and Localized Cellular Distribution of Vasoactive Intestinal Contractor (VIC) in Mouse Uterus

Tsuyoshi Uchidea, Hiromi Masudaa, Yun-Sik Leea, Yasushi Makiyamaa, Youji Mitsuia, and Kaname Saidaa
a National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

Correspondence to: Kaname Saida, Nat. Inst. of Bioscience and Human-Technology, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, 1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan. E-mail: ksaida@nibh.go.jp

To understand the physiological roles of vasoactive intestinal contractor (VIC) and endothelin-2 (ET-2) in the uterus, we examined the expression levels of VIC mRNA by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-linked polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and characterized the cellular distribution of VIC peptide and mRNA by immunostaining and in situ hybridization in mouse uterus. In pregnant mouse uterus, VIC mRNA expression changed considerably between Days 10.5 and 12.5 of pregnancy. The expression levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher (approximately fivefold) in the later stage of pregnancy (Days 12.5–17.5) than in the earlier stage (Days 7.5–10.5). In nonpregnant uterus, VIC mRNA expression was significantly (p <0.05) higher (approximately threefold) in proestrus and estrus than in diestrus. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of VIC peptide in endometrial epithelial cells, myometrial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells during the estrous cycle and pregnancy and after parturition. Notably, myometrial cells showed dominant immunostaining in proestrus and estrus, in the later pregnancy stage, and in the early postpartum period, analogous to the expression pattern of VIC mRNA. In situ hybridization confirmed localization of VIC mRNA in myometrial cells. These findings suggest that VIC may play an important role in the function of myometrial cells. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:699–707, 2000)

Key Words: vasoactive intestinal contractor, (VIC), endothelin, mouse, uterus, estrous cycle, pregnancy, parturition, real-time quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry


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