Expression of Indian hedgehog signaling in murine oviductal infundibulum and its relationship with epithelial homeostasis

AbstractHomeostasis of the oviductal infundibulum epithelium is continuously regulated by signaling pathways under physiological and pathological conditions. Herein, we investigated the expression of hedgehog (Hh) signaling –related components in the murine oviductal infundibulum, which is known to maintain homeostasis in the adult epithelium. Additionally, using autoimmune disease-prone MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice showing abnormal morphofunction of the ciliated epithelium of the infundibulum related to the oviductal inflammation, we examined the relationship between Hh signaling and pathology of the infundibulum. The expression and localization of Pax8, a marker for progenitor cells in the oviductal epithelium, and Foxj1, a marker for ciliogenesis, were examined in the infundibulum. The results showed that Pax8 was downregulated and Foxj1 was upregulated with aging, suggesting that homeostasis of the infundibulum epithelium of MRL/lpr mice was disturbed at 6  months of age. In all mice, the motile cilia of ciliated epithelial cells in the infundibulum harbored Hh signaling pathway-related molecules: patched (Ptch), smoothened (Smo), and epithelial cells harbor Gli. In contrast,Ptch,Smo, andGli2 were significantly downregulated in the infundibulum of MRL/lpr mice at 6  months of age. The expression levels ofPax8 andFoxj1 were significantly positively correlated with those ofPtch1,Smo, andGli2. Hh signaling is thought to be involved in homeostasis of the ciliated epi...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - Category: Cytology Source Type: research