MRNA Destabilizing Factors: Tristetraprolin Expression at the Porcine Maternal-fetal Interface

Problem: To evaluate the expression of the tristetraprolin family and their selected targets during porcine pregnancy.

Method Of Study: Using qPCR and Western blot, mRNA and protein levels were compared between endometrium and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) associated with healthy and impaired conceptuses at gestation day (gd) 20 and gd50, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine localization of TIS11 family members at gd20 and 50.

Results: Multiple significant differences (P < 0.05) in TIS11 family transcripts were observed in the aforementioned comparisons. GM-CSF was significantly higher in healthy endometrium and CAM from impaired conceptus attachment sites. TNF-α was elevated in CAM as compared to endometrium at gd50, regardless of conceptus health status. Immunohistochemical staining shows TIS11 family expressed in the glandular and luminal epithelium, as well as stromal cells in the uterus.

Conclusions: The shift in the expression of tristetraprolin (TTP) and TIS11D points to a potential role of these genes in regulating spontaneous fetal loss.