REGULAR ARTICLES

Cell Research (2002); 12(5-6):373-383

Regulation of cellular adhesion molecule expression in murine oocytes, peri-implantation and post-implantation embryos

David P LU^1,2, Lina TIAN^1,2, Chris O' NEILL², Nicholas JC KING^1,*

¹Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
²Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Physiology, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW 2065, Australia

Received Sep-27-2002  Revised Nov-15-2002 Accepted Nov-19-2002

Correspondence: Dr Nicholas JC KING Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia Tel: 61 2 9351 4553,      Fax: 61 2 9351 3429, E-mail: nickk@pathology.usyd.edu.au

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Abstract

Expression of the adhesion molecules, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, NCAM, CD44, CD49d (VLA-4, a chain), and CD11a (LFA-1, a chain) on mouse oocytes, and pre- and peri-implantation stage embryos was examined by quantitative indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. ICAM-1 was most strongly expressed at the oocyte stage, gradually declining almost to undetectable levels by the expanded blastocyst stage. NCAM, also expressed maximally on the oocyte, declined to undetectable levels beyond the morula stage. On the other hand, CD44 declined from highest expression at the oocyte stage to show a second maximum at the compacted 8-cell/morula. This molecule exhibited high expression around contact areas between trophectoderm and zona pellucida during blastocyst hatching. CD49d was highly expressed in the oocyte, remained significantly expressed throughout and after blastocyst hatching was expressed on the polar trophectoderm. Like CD44, CD49d declined to undetectable levels at the blastocyst outgrowth stage. Expression of both VCAM-1 and CD11a was undetectable throughout. The diametrical temporal expression pattern of ICAM-1 and NCAM compared to CD44 and CD49d suggest that dynamic changes in expression of adhesion molecules may be important for interaction of the embryo with the maternal cellular environment as well as for continuing development and survival of the early embryo.

Key words: CD11a/CD18, CD49d, CD44, CD54, CD56, CD106, Embryo.