Immunomodulation by maternal autoantibodies of the fetal serotoninergic 5-HT4 receptor and its consequences in early BALB/c mouse embryonic development

摘要

BackgroundThe presence of functional 5-HT4 receptors in human and its involvement in neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) have prompted us to study the receptor expression and role during embryogenesis. Earlier we managed to demonstrate that female BALB/c mice immunized against the second extracellular loop (SEL) of the 5-HT4 receptor gave birth to pups with heart block. To explain this phenomenon we investigated the expression of 5-HT4 receptors during mouse embryogenesis. At the same time we looked whether the consequence of 5-HT4 receptor immunomodulation observed earlier is in relation to receptor expression.We studied the expression of 5-HT4 receptor at the mRNA level and its two isoforms 5-HT4(a) and 5-HT4(d) at the protein level in embryos from BALB/c mice, at 8^th, 12^th, 18^th gestation days (GD) and 1 day post natal (DPN). Simultaneously the receptor activity was inhibited by rising antibodies, in female mice against SEL of the receptor. The mice were mated and embryos were collected at 8^th, 12^th, 18^th GD and 1 DPN.