Getting out of a mammalian egg: the egg tooth and caruncle of the echidna

In the echidna, after development in utero, the egg is laid in the pouch and incubated for 10 days. During this time, the fetuses develop an egg tooth and caruncle to help them hatch. Using rare and unprecedented access to limited echidna pre- and post-hatching tissues, development of the egg tooth and caruncle were assessed by micro-CT, histology and immunofluorescence. Unlike therian tooth germs that develop by placode invagination, the echidna egg tooth developed by evagination, similar to the first teeth in some reptiles and fish. The egg tooth ankylosed to the premaxilla, rather than forming a tooth root with ligamentous attachment found in other mammals, with loss of the egg tooth associated with high levels of activity odontoclasts and apoptosis. The caruncle formed as a separate mineralisation from the adjacent nasal capsule, and as observed in birds and turtles, the nasal region epithelium on top of the nose expressed markers of cornification. Together, this highlights that the monotreme egg tooth shares many similarities with typical reptilian teeth, suggesting that this tooth has been conserved from a common ancestor of mammals and reptiles.

Changes in arterial blood vessels and VEGF and Ang-1 expression in pregnant and non-pregnant yak uterine caruncle

We investigated the structural features of arterial blood vessels in yak uterine caruncle and the effects of the expression of vascular regulation-related factors on angiogenesis in pregnant and non-pregnant yak uterus. Three-dimensional specimens of the uterine artery of non-pregnant and pregnant yaks were produced to observe and measure the distribution characteristics and number of arterial vessels in the uterus and caruncle in the two periods. The uterine caruncle structure was observed and analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression features of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in the uterine caruncle were detected with immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blotting. The length and number of blood vessels in the caruncle were increased, the degree of curvature was decreased, and the folding was more complicated during pregnancy as compared with that during non-pregnancy. The immunohistochemical results demonstrated that VEGF and Ang-1 were mainly expressed strongly in the mucosal epithelial cytoplasm. The glandular lumen of the uterine gland, lymphocytes, and the media and adventitia of blood vessels are widely distributed, and they are all positive. VEGF and Ang-1 mRNA and protein levels were highest in pregnancy, followed by that in the luteal phase and in the follicular phase, and three stages were significantly different (p < 0.05). These findings provide an anatomical reference and theoretical basis for improving the diagnosis and treatment of yak reproductive disorders and other diseases in high-altitude and low-oxygen environments.

Clinical and histopathological profile of primary caruncular lesions

Purpose

To provide a retrospective analysis of lesions of the caruncle which have been very rarely reported in the literature.

Methods

A retrospective review of all the caruncular lesions between January 2000 and January 2020 was done at a single tertiary eye care hospital. The lesions were classified as benign and malignant lesions. Clinicopathological correlation was done for the excised lesions.

Results

A total of 87 caruncular lesions were included in the study. Males (59%) were affected more than females (41%). The mean age at presentation was 44 ± 20 years. The mean duration of complaint was 36 ± 62 months. A total of 36 patients underwent surgical excision whereas the rest opted for conservative management. Recurrence was noted in five patients. Fifteen different types of lesions were identified histopathologically. Benign lesions (78%) were far more common than malignant ones (22%). Epithelial inclusion cyst was the most common benign lesion and sebaceous gland carcinoma was the most common malignant lesion. Correct clinicopathological correlation was seen in 52.7% of the cases. Caruncular tuberculosis, oncocytoma, and basosquamous cell carcinoma were some of the rare lesions.

Conclusion

Caruncular lesions are uncommon and very diverse, which makes clinical diagnosis challenging. Epithelial inclusion cyst and sebaceous gland carcinoma were the most common benign and malignant lesions respectively. Correct clinicopathological correlation was seen in more than half of the cases.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the caruncle: a solitary location

A 78-year-old Caucasian male presented with diplopia and decreased vision in the left eye for 1 month, in addition to a painless fleshy lesion in the inner corner of the left eye for 3-month duration. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 and 20/50. Slit lamp examination revealed a left medial conjunctival and caruncular lesion, measuring 6 mm by 4 mm. Histology of the excised mass showed a cellular submucosal spindle cell neoplasm without cytologic atypia and rare mitoses, immunohistologically diffusely positive for CD34 and STAT6, and negative for SMA. Based on these findings, solitary fibrous tumor was diagnosed. With the combined diagnostic power of light microscopy and immunohistochemistry, SFTs are diagnosed increasingly and more accurately in the orbit. With this first case report of a caruncular SFT, we believe that SFTs should remain on the differential for mesenchymal tumors of the conjunctiva and caruncle.

Conjunctival Lesions: A 5-Year Basic Demographic Data and Clinicopathological Review in a Tertiary Eye Care Hospital

Background

Conjunctival lesions are common with a wide spectrum of benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions. Few histopathological studies have been conducted on conjunctival lesions with variable designs and results. Our aim in this study is to provide information on common conjunctival lesions seen in an ophthalmology tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A retrospective, observational study of all consecutive conjunctival tissue specimens sent for histopathological assessment to the pathology department from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed. Clinical data were collected from medical records, and the histopathological slides were reviewed by a single pathologist.

Results

A total of 110 conjunctival specimens from 108 patients were included (mean age: 53 years, 67 males and 43 females). Bilateral involvement was mostly found in inflammatory lesions (40%). Most lesions were benign (91%), with a significantly longer duration of symptoms in malignant lesions (p = 0.036*). The clinical diagnosis matched the final histopathological diagnosis in 75.5% of the total specimens. The most frequent category of benign lesions was fibrodegenerative and proliferative lesions (53.6%), with a significantly higher prevalence among adult males (p < 0.001). Melanocytic lesions were more common in children (33.3%) than adults (9.8%), and the mean age of children was significantly lower (p = 0.013). The most frequent malignant lesion was ocular surface squamous neoplasia (50%), with equal prevalence among males and females. The overall outcome was favorable in 89.4% and unfavorable in 10.6%, mostly due to surgical complications, further progression of the lesion, or recurrence.

Conclusion

This study shows variability in the frequency of conjunctival lesions based on gender, age, geographical, racial, and environmental factors. There has been a shift in the gender-based prevalence of ocular squamous neoplasia over the last three decades, probably due to a change in lifestyle.

Clinico-pathological correlation of lacrimal caruncle tumors: a retrospective analysis over 22 years at the University Eye Hospital Bonn

Purpose

The lacrimal caruncle is composed of numerous structures including different glands as well as hair follicles. Accordingly, the spectrum of benign and malignant lesions is broad, and the clinical diagnosis is often challenging. Here we systematically analyzed excised caruncular tumors over the past 22 years with special emphasis on the clinico-pathological correlation to provide a guidance for clinicians.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation with clinico-pathologic correlation of surgically removed caruncular tumors between 1998 and 2020 at a tertiary referral center.

Results

Eighty-two caruncular tumors were identified in the respective period. The patients were between 11 and 85 years of age (mean, 46.8 years; median, 49 years). Nevi (n = 35), cystic lesions (n = 14), oncocytoma (n = 9), papilloma (n = 8), sebaceous gland hyperplasia (n = 8), and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 4) were observed most frequently. Besides, we are the first reporting herniated orbital fat accompanied by a pyogenic granuloma. 2.4% (n = 2) were malignant tumors (sebaceous gland carcinoma, conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with pyogenic granuloma).

Conclusion

Caruncular tumors show a broad spectrum of mostly benign tumors. They can occur in patients of any age. However, 8/9 oncocytomas and both malignant lesions were detected in patients older than 60 years. Although the clinical diagnosis was confirmed in only 68.3% by the histopathological analysis, the two malignant lesions were identified as such already clinically. Caruncular lesions with a history of growth or other signs of malignancy should be excised followed by detailed histopathological examination to allow a final diagnosis and exclude rare malignant tumors with lethal potential.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00417-021-05464-x.

Oncocytic lesions of the ocular adnexa: A review of the histopathology with a brief discussion of the pathogenesis

Oncocytic lesions may be metaplastic, hyperplastic, or neoplastic and occur in a variety of tissues, including those of the ocular adnexa. Oncocytes are enlarged epithelial cells with abundant eosinophilic granules in the cytoplasm, which represent large mitochondria with distorted cristae. The causes of oncocytic lesions remain uncertain, although in some sites such as the lacrimal sac, chronic inflammation may be a factor. Oncocytic neoplasms in all adnexal sites are generally benign (oncocytoma/oncocytic adenoma) and oncocytic adenocarcinomas are uncommon. Research into oncocytic neoplasms, particularly of the kidney and thyroid, has shed some light on the complicated genomic and metabolic changes that are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in such neoplasms. The major driver event is mutation of mitochondrial DNA-encoding subunits of complex I in the respiratory chain. The subsequent metabolic events may promote tumorigenesis and inhibit malignant transformation. This review discusses the histopathology and histogenesis of two examples of oncocytoma in the ocular adnexa and presents a simplified synopsis of the genomic and metabolic changes that are significant in the pathogenesis of these neoplasms.

Expression and functional role of IGFs during early pregnancy in placenta of water buffalo

Adequate vascularisation is a key factor for successful fetal development. We hypothesized that Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF) family members regulate angiogenesis along with promoting fetal development and growth. In this experiment, we determined the expression and functional role of IGF family in placental compartments (caruncle; CAR, cotyledon; COT) during different stages of early pregnancy in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Samples were collected from early pregnancy 1 (EP1, 28-45 days), early pregnancy 2 (EP2, 45-90 days), and third stage of estrous cycle (11-16 days), which was taken as control. In addition, the role of IGF1 on mRNA expression of vWF, StAR, CYP11A1, 3βHSD, PCNA, and BAX were elucidated in cultured trophoblast cells (TCC) obtained from EP2. Quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR), westernblot, and immunohistochemistry were done to investigate the gene expression, protein expression, and localization of examined factors, and RIA was also done to assess progesterone (P₄) concentration. Expression of IGFs, its receptors and binding proteins were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in both CAR and COT as compared to control during early pregnancy, except binding proteins IGFBP1, 3 and 4 which were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in COT with advancement of pregnancy. mRNA expression was consistent with the findings of immunoblotting and immunolocalization experiments. Trophoblasts cell culture (TCC) study showed a significant time and dose-dependent effect of IGF1 onsteroidogenic transcript, which was found to be maximum at 100 ng/ml that paralleled with P₄ accretion in the media (p < 0.05). Further, IGF1 upregulated the transcripts of vWF, PCNA, and downregulated BAX at the same concentration (p < 0.05). Overall, our results demonstrated that the expression of IGFs is a site-specific phenomenon in placentome, which indicates autocrine/paracrine and endocrine function. Our in-vitro finding support that IGF1 plays a critical role in placental development by promoting angiogenesis, steroid synthesis, and cell proliferation during early pregnancy.

Villous Sebaceous Adenoma Arising from the Caruncular Surface Squamous Epithelium

A 68-year-old woman developed an asymptomatic left caruncular multilobular lesion over one year. Excision of the lesion displayed a benign sebaceous neoplasm taking origin from the surface squamous epithelium which invaginated into the stroma to create crypts resembling the conjunctival pseudoglands of Henle or the glands of Lieberkuhn of the small intestine. Scattered sebaceous cells were also discovered in the surface squamous epithelium. The cryptal walls spawned lateral sebaceous gland lobules that were adipophilin positive. p16 was positive in the surface epithelium, the cryptal walls, and in the basal cells of the sebaceous lobules. No defects in nuclear mismatch repair protein expression were identified, which together with the absence of a familial cancer history, rendered unlikely an association with the Muir-Torre syndrome.

Histopathological and Molecular Features of a Conjunctival Caruncular Deep Penetrating Nevus

We describe the first presentation of a deep penetrating nevus (DPN) on the lacrimal caruncle. This lesion was seen in an 18-year-old woman presenting with hemorrhage of a long-standing pigmented mass on the caruncle. Histology showed a combined melanocytic neoplasm that consisted of two different melanocytic components. The differential diagnosis, based on histological examination, was a conventional melanocytic nevus, a Spitz nevus, or a combined melanocytic nevus. On the molecular level, one of the components revealed a mutation in the CTNNB1 gene encoding the β-catenin protein, while both components harbored a BRAF V600E mutation, without molecular features of a malignant melanocytic lesion. This presentation of a DPN of the lacrimal caruncle emphasizes the similarities of the caruncle with the skin.

Expression and functional role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in placenta during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of this study was to document the expression and functional role of BMPs in the placental (caruncle; CAR, cotyledon; COT) during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo. Samples collected from Early pregnancy 1 (EP1); Early pregnancy 2 (EP2), Mid pregnancy (MP), Late pregnancy (LP) while the third stage of oestrus cycle (NP) was taken as control. Also, the synergistic role of BMP4/BMP7 or combination on mRNA expression of vWF, PCNA, StAR, CYP11A1, 3βHSD, and BAX were studied in trophoblast cells cultured (TCC) during an early stage. The qPCR and immunoblotting studies revealed that BMP2, BMPR1A, BMPR1B, and BMPR2 mRNA level was significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated during early pregnancy in COTs while in CARs it was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during all the stages of pregnancy.BMP4 mRNA level was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during early pregnancy in COTs as well as in CARs. BMP6 expression was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during early and late stages of pregnancy. BMP7 mRNA level was upregulated (p < 0.05) during the late stage of pregnancy in COTs. At 100 ng/ml, the BMP4 maximally stimulated the transcripts of StAR, CYP11A1, and 3βHSD while BMP7 maximally stimulated the transcripts of 3βHSD that paralleled with P4 accretion in the media (P < 0.05). BMP4 as well as BMP7 upregulated the transcripts of PCNA, vWF, and downregulated BAX in the TCC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BMPs are expressed in a regulated manner with stage-specific differences in the placenta and promotes the angiogenesis, proliferation, cell survivability, and steroidogenesis thereby regulating placental function in an autocrine/paracrine manner in water buffalo.

Expression and functional role of fibroblast growth factors (FGF) in placenta during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study documented the expression and functional role of Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) family and their receptors (Fibroblast growth factor receptor, FGFRs) in placenta (Cotyledon; COT, Caruncle; CAR) during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo. Samples were collected from Early pregnancy 1 (EP1); Early pregnancy 2 (EP2); Mid pregnancy (MP) and Late pregnancy (LP) while diestrus stage of oestrus cycle (NP) was taken as control. In addition, modulatory role of FGF2 on mRNA expression of von Willebrand factor (vWF), Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and BCL2 Associated X (BAX) were studied in cultured trophoblast cells (TCC), obtained from EP2. Real-time PCR (qPCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were applied to investigate mRNA and protein expressions, and the localization of examined factors whereas, P4 secretion was assessed by RIA. The mRNA and protein expression of FGFs and its receptors were maximum (P < 0.05) during EP (EP1 and EP2) in COT. However, FGFR1 and FGFR4 were upregulated (P < 0.05) during EP2 and MP in COT. Similarly, the mRNA and protein expression of FGFs and its receptors were upregulated (P < 0.05) during all stages of pregnancy in CAR. FGF family members were localized in the cytoplasm of trophoblast cells as well as in fetal blood vessels. At 100 ng/ml dosage, FGF2 stimulated the transcript of vWF maximally (P < 0.05). P4 secretion in trophoblast cells treated with FGF2 was maximum with the highest dose at 72 h. These findings corroborate that FGF acts locally in the trophoblast cells to modulate steroid hormone viz. progesterone synthesis, promote angiogenesis and favors cell survivability indicating that this factor may play an essential role in the regulation of placental formation and function in buffalo.

Molecular and biochemical analysis of the castor caruncle reveals a set of unique genes involved in oil accumulation in non-seed tissues

BACKGROUND

With the increasing demand for vegetative oil and the approach of peak seed oil production, it is important to develop new oil production platforms from non-seed tissues. Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is one of the crops for vegetable oil for industrial applications with yield around 1.4 ton oil per hectare produced in seed. The castor caruncle is a non-seed tissue attached to seed.

RESULTS

Caruncle accumulates up to 40% oil by weight in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG), with a highly contrasting fatty acid composition when compared to the seed oil. Biochemical analysis indicated that the caruncle synthesizes TAGs independent of the seed. Such non-seed tissue has provided an excellent resource for understanding the mechanism of oil accumulation in tissues other than seeds. Transcriptome analysis revealed the key members of gene families involved in fatty acid synthesis and TAG assembly in the caruncle. A transient expression assay of these selected genes resulted in a 20-fold increased TAG accumulation in leaves.

CONCLUSIONS

Castor caruncle utilizes an independent system to synthesize TAGs. Results provide the possibility of exploiting caruncle gene set to engineer oil production in non-seed tissues or microbes.

Immune response profile of caruncular and trophoblast cell lines infected by high- (Nc-Spain7) and low-virulence (Nc-Spain1H) isolates of Neospora caninum

Background

Bovine neosporosis, one of the main causes of reproductive failure in cattle worldwide, poses a challenge for the immune system of pregnant cows. Changes in the Th-1/Th-2 balance in the placenta during gestation have been associated with abortion. Cotyledon and caruncle cell layers form the maternal-foetal interface in the placenta and are able to recognize and induce immune responses against Neospora caninum among other pathogens. The objective of the present work was to elucidate the immunomodulation produced by high- (Nc-Spain7) and low-virulence (Nc-Spain1H) isolates of N. caninum in bovine trophoblast (F3) and caruncular cells (BCEC-1) at early and late points after infection. Variations in the mRNA expression levels of toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2), Th1 and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-8, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-17, IFN-γ, TGF-β1, TNF-α), and endothelial adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) were investigated by RT-qPCR, and protein variations in culture supernatants were investigated by ELISA.

Results

A similar pattern of modulation was found in both cell lines. The most upregulated cytokines in infected cells were pro-inflammatory TNF-α (P < 0.05–0.0001) and IL-8 (P < 0.05–0.001) whereas regulatory IL-6 (P < 0.05–0.001) and TGF-β1 (P < 0.05–0.001) were downregulated in both cell lines. The measurement of secreted IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α confirmed the mRNA expression level results. Differences between isolates were found in the mRNA expression levels of TLR-2 (P < 0.05) in both cell lines and in the mRNA expression levels (P < 0.05) and protein secretion of TNF-α (P < 0.05), which were higher in the trophoblast cell line (F3) infected with the low-virulence isolate Nc-Spain1H.

Conclusions

Neospora caninum infection is shown to favor a pro-inflammatory response in placental target cells in vitro. In addition, significant immunomodulation differences were observed between high- and low-virulence isolates, which would partially explain the differences in virulence.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3466-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Caruncular Oncocytoma: Report of Two Cases with Review of Literature

Caruncular lesions are uncommon and could be related to hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and accessory lacrimal gland harbored in caruncle. As the lesions of caruncle are diverse, the clinical diagnosis is difficult. Majority of the caruncular lesions are benign although rare malignant lesions have also been reported. Caruncular oncocytoma (CO) is a rare ocular neoplasm with an incidence of <3%, as per the Western literature. However, only two cases of ocular oncocytoma are reported in the Indian literature. Here, we report two more cases of CO from India with their histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics.

Differential susceptibility of bovine caruncular and trophoblast cell lines to infection with high and low virulence isolates of Neospora caninum

Background

Neospora caninum, one of the main causes of abortion in cattle, is very effective at crossing the placental barrier and placental damage is crucial in the pathogenesis of abortion. Bovine trophoblast and caruncular cell layers are key cellular components in the maternal-foetal interface in placentomes, playing a fundamental role in placental functionality.

Methods

We studied tachyzoite adhesion, invasion, proliferation and egress of high- (Nc-Spain7) and low- (Nc-Spain1H) virulence N. caninum isolates in established cultures of bovine caruncular epithelial (BCEC-1) and trophoblast (F3) cells. The parasite invasion rate (pInvR) and the cell infection rate (cInfR) were determined by immunostaining plaque assay at different time points and multiplicities of infection (MOIs), respectively. In addition, tachyzoite growth kinetics were investigated using real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis and immunostaining plaque assay at different times.

Results

Neospora caninum invaded and proliferated in both cell lines. The pInvR was higher in F3 compared to BCEC-1 cells for the Nc-Spain7 isolate (P < 0.05), and higher for the Nc-Spain7 than the Nc-Spain1H in F3 cells (P < 0.01). The cInfR was also higher in F3 cells than in BCEC-1 cells for both isolates (P < 0.0001), and the cInfR for the Nc-Spain7 isolate was higher than for the Nc-Spain1H isolate in both cell lines (P < 0.05). Tachyzoite growth kinetics showed tachyzoite exponential growth until egress at 58 hpi for both isolates in F3, whereas Nc-Spain1H showed a non-exponential growth pattern in BCEC-1. Asynchronous egress of both isolates was observed from 22 h post-infection onwards in BCEC-1. In addition, the tachyzoite yield (TY_58h) was higher in F3 than in BCEC-1 infected by both isolates (P < 0.0001), highlighting better replication abilities of both parasites in F3. Nc-Spain7 showed shorter doubling times and higher TY_58h compared to Nc-Spain1H in F3 cells; adhesion, invasion and proliferation mechanisms were very similar for both isolates in BCEC-1.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a highly similar behavior of high- and low-virulence isolates in their interactions with maternal caruncular cells and suggest an important role of foetal trophoblasts in the pathogenesis of N. caninum infection.

Caruncular Oncocytoma Mimicking Malignant Melanoma

Purpose

To report a case of pigmented caruncular oncocytoma that simulated malignant melanoma and discuss the associated ultrasonographic and pathologic features.

Method

Case report.

Results

An 81-year-old female presented with a painless caruncular mass with a smooth brown surface suspicious for melanoma. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed a round mass with a large central cavity, more suggestive of a cystic rather than solid lesion. Following complete surgical resection, histopathology revealed a cystadenomatous lesion composed of bland cells with copious eosinophilic cytoplasm consistent with oncocytoma that had a central blood-filled cavity.

Conclusions

Oncocytoma is a benign tumor that can appear pigmented clinically and resemble melanoma. The definitive diagnosis requires histopathologic evaluation. Oncocytoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pigmented caruncular mass.

Differential gene expression profiling of endometrium during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle between a repeat breeder (RB) and non-RB cows

BACKGROUND

Repeat breeding directly affects reproductive efficiency in cattle due to an increase in services per conception and calving interval. This study aimed to investigate whether changes in endometrial gene expression profile are involved in repeat breeding in cows. Differential gene expression profiles of the endometrium were investigated during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle between repeat breeder (RB) and non-RB cows using microarray analysis.

METHODS

The caruncular (CAR) and intercaruncular (ICAR) endometrium of both ipsilateral and contralateral uterine horns to the corpus luteum were collected from RB (inseminated at least three times but not pregnant) and non-RB cows on Day 15 of the estrous cycle (4 cows/group). Global gene expression profiles of these endometrial samples were analyzed with a 15 K custom-made oligo-microarray for cattle. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the cellular localization of proteins of three identified transcripts in the endometrium.

RESULTS

Microarray analysis revealed that 405 and 397 genes were differentially expressed in the CAR and ICAR of the ipsilateral uterine horn of RB, respectively when compared with non-RB cows. In the contralateral uterine horn, 443 and 257 differentially expressed genes were identified in the CAR and ICAR of RB, respectively when compared with non-RB cows. Gene ontology analysis revealed that genes involved in development and morphogenesis were mainly up-regulated in the CAR of RB cows. In the ICAR of both the ipsilateral and contralateral uterine horns, genes related to the metabolic process were predominantly enriched in the RB cows when compared with non-RB cows. In the analysis of the whole uterus (combining the data above four endometrial compartments), RB cows showed up-regulation of 37 genes including PRSS2, GSTA3 and PIPOX and down-regulation of 39 genes including CHGA, KRT35 and THBS4 when compared with non-RB cows. Immunohistochemistry revealed that CHGA, GSTA3 and PRSS2 proteins were localized in luminal and glandular epithelial cells and stroma of the endometrium.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that endometrial gene expression profiles are different between RB and non-RB cows. The identified candidate endometrial genes and functions in each endometrial compartment may contribute to bovine reproductive performance.

Expression and localization of interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 1 receptor (type I) in the bovine endometrium and embryo

The interleukin-1 (IL1) system likely mediates mammalian embryo-maternal communication. In cattle, we have reported that the uterine fluid of heifers carrying early embryos shows downregulated IL1 beta (IL1B), which could lead to reduced NFkB expression and dampening of maternal innate immune responses. In this work, we assessed the expression of IL 1 beta (IL1B) and its receptor, interleukin 1 receptor type I (IL1R1) in the bovine endometrium and embryos by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot at the time of blastocyst development. Day 8 endometrium, both collected from animals after transfer of day 5 embryos (ET) and sham transferred (ST), showed IL1B and IL1R1 mRNA transcription and protein co-localization. Similarly, day 8 blastocyst, from ET animals and entirely produced in vitro, showed IL1R1 mRNA transcription and IL1B and IL1R1 protein co-localization. IL1B mRNA was detected in the analyzed blastocysts, but at very low levels that precluded its quantification. IL1B and IL1R1 immunostaining was observed in luminal epithelial cells, glandular epithelium and stromal cells. The presence of embryos increased endometrial IL1B protein locally, while no differences regarding IL1R1 protein and IL1B and IL1R1 mRNA were detected. These results suggest that the early preimplantation bovine embryo in the maternal tract might interact with the maternal immune system through the IL1 system. Such a mechanism may allow the embryo to elicit local endometrial responses at early stages, which are required for the development of a receptive endometrium.

Kimura disease involving a caruncle

A 35-year-old woman presented with history of a painless, slow-growing nodule in a left eye caruncle over the last 2 months. The visual acuity was 20 / 20 and the ocular movements were in the normal range. The venereal disease research laboratory test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum angiotensin converting enzyme level, and chest radiograph were all normal. An excisional biopsy was done to confirm the diagnosis. A 1.3 × 0.5 × 0.3 cm sized nodule was extracted and sent for histopathologic examination. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed follicular hyperplasia with perifollicular fibrosis, an eosinophil infiltrate, and proliferation of capillary vessels. The capillaries were lined by normal-appearing, flat, spindle-shaped endothelial cells. On the basis of these histopathologic findings, the diagnosis of Kimura disease in a caruncle was established. This is the first report describing Kimura disease localized to a caruncle. Kimura disease should be suspected and included in the differential diagnosis of a caruncular mass lesion.