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Equine cervical remodeling during placentitis and the prepartum period: a transcriptomic approach
Hossam El-Sheikh Ali1,2, Kirsten E Scoggin1, Rebecca Ruby3
1Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|March 29, 2021
Summary
Equine cervical remodeling during placentitis involves inflammatory signaling and protease upregulation. Normal prepartum remodeling shows distinct gene expression patterns, offering insights into labor preparation in mares.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Equine science
- Molecular mechanisms of labor
Background:
- Cervical remodeling is crucial for term and preterm labor in mammals.
- Molecular mechanisms of cervical remodeling in mares are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the equine cervix transcriptome during placentitis and normal prepartum period.
- To identify key molecular regulators of cervical remodeling in mares.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome analysis of equine cervical mucosa (CM) and stroma (CS).
- Comparison between placentitis, normal prepartum, and control groups (n=5, 3, 4 respectively).
- Identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathway analysis.
Main Results:
- Placentitis showed significant DEGs (5310 in CM, 907 in CS) dominated by inflammatory pathways (Toll-like receptor, interleukin signaling, T/B cell activation).
- Upregulation of proteases (MMPs, cathepsins, ADAMTS) and cervical hydration markers (AQP9, RLN, ACAN) observed during placentitis.
- Normal prepartum remodeling associated with ADAMTS1, ADAMTS4, NOS3, and THBS1 upregulation, suggesting early labor preparation.
Conclusions:
- Equine cervical remodeling during placentitis is driven by inflammation and protease activity.
- Distinct molecular pathways are involved in normal prepartum cervical changes in mares.
- Findings reveal key regulators for equine cervical remodeling in health and disease.
