Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) may improve embryonic development and implantation by increasing vitronectin receptor (integrin ανβ3) expression in peri-implantation mouse embryos

摘要

>Purpose: This study investigated the effects of HB-EGF on expression of integrin and implantation of embryos.>Methods: Two-cell embryos were recovered and cultured with or without 10 ng/mL HB-EGF for 96h. Expression of integrin in cultured embryos was examined by real time-RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis; embryos were cultured with or without HB-EGF, then transferred into the uteri of pseudo-pregnant female mice in order to analyze their implantation rate.>Results: HB-EGF improved embryonic hatching and outgrowth during extended culture, and up-regulated expression of integrin in both the preimplantation embryo and outgrowing blastocyst. Also, integrin subunits were localized at the pericellular borders and cell–cell contact areas. The number of successful implantation sites of transferred HB-EGF-treated embryos in the uterus was increased when compared to number of implantation sites with non-treated controls.>Conclusions: HB-EGF may improve implantation by accelerating expression of integrin in peri-implantation mouse embryos.