INCREASED EXPRESSION OF VEGF IN MOUSE MATERNAL-FETAL INTERFACE IN A MULTIPARITY MODEL.

BARRIENTOS, LITWIN S, PRADOS MB, ROUX ME AND MIRANDA S

Graz, Austria

Congreso; Fourth European Congress of Reproductive Immunology; 2006

We previously reported that multiparous mouse placentae showed an increase in the number of macrophages and in the grade of trophoblast invasion. The aim of this study was to analyze VEGF and VEGF-sRI in the same animal model. Methods: CBA/JxCBA/J, CBA/JxBALB/c and the abortion-prone CBA/JxDBA/2 mouse combinations were divided into three groups: Primiparous Young (PY): 3,0±0.5 months old; Primiparous Old (PO): 8.5±0.5 months old and Multiparous Old (MO): 8.5±0.5 months old with 4 pregnancies. Non-pregnant (NP) CBA/J sera plus placentae and sera from term pregnancies were obtained. Placental VEGF expression was investigated by IHC, and serum VEGF and VEGF-sRl levels by ELISA. Results: AH groups showed similar quantity of VEGF+ cells in spongiotrophoblast and laberynthine. Among the PY groups, CBA/JxDBA/2 presented a lower expression of VEGF in the area next to the decidua compared to that observed in the normal CBA/JxBALB/c combination. Ah MO groups showed a similar high expression of VEGF in this region. In contrast, at term of pregnancy, sera from the primiparous CBA1JxBÁLB/c group showed the highest concentration of VEGF-sRl while both CBA/JxBÁLB e and CBA/JxDBA/2 multiparous females demonstrated similar and low circulating levels. Ah groups analyzed showed no differences in VEGF levels. Conclusions: Muitiparity increased VEGF expression in maternal-fetal interface without modifying circulating levels. We suggest that multiparity enhances trophoblast invasion and that VEGF participate in this process.