earticle

영어

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) comprise a family of zinc-dependent proteinases. Proteins of the MMPs family are involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes, such as embryonic development. Successful implantation is closely linked to the expression of MMPs which greatly influences ability of an embryo to degrade the basement membrane of the uterine epithelium, mainly composed of type IV collagen, and invade the uterine stroma. The purpose of this study was to determine the MMP-2 & -9, also known as type IV collagenase, concentrations in mouse uterine fluid during implantation window, investigate the roles of MMP-2 & -9 on mouse trophoblastic cells invasion in vitro and study the effect of MMP-2 & -9 cotransfer with mouse embryos on reproductive performances. Protein level was detected by Elisa kit and invasiveness was assessed by an invasion assay. Optimal concentrations of MMP-2 and -9 was co-transferred to 2.5 dpc recipients using the non-surgical embryo transfer. Our results showed that MMP-2 & -9 protein levels in mouse uterine fluid were significantly increased at 2.5 dpc. Moreover, in vitro treatment significantly promoted both spreading and invasion of mouse trophoblastic cells as compared with the non-treated. Embryo transfer results showed that MMP-9 cotransfer enhanced mouse implantation and pregnancy rate compared with the control and MMP-2 cotransfered groups, however, that was not significant. Taken together, our findings imply that MMP-9 cotransfer with embryos can regulate embryo invasion during preimplantation, which may have serious consequence on embryo implantation and can be applied in other mammals so far as human being.