Functions of alpha 2 macroglobulins in pregnancy.

The alpha 2 macroglobulins (A2M) are a family of abundant plasma proteins produced predominantly by the mammalian liver. Pregnancy zone proteins (PZP) of humans and rats are A2M family members that bind a wide variety of macromolecules including the important pregnancy-associated molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor, placenta growth factor and glycodelin (also called PP14). Recently, a mouse gene analogous to PZP (A2M of pregnancy or A2Mp) was cloned.

Characterization of a murine alpha 2 macroglobulin gene expressed in reproductive and cardiovascular tissue.

Full-length cDNA for a mouse gene A2-macroglobulin induced by pregnancy (A2mp) was cloned from mesometrial decidua at Gestation Day 10. The 4622-base pair cDNA encodes a protein of 1473 AA with >70% sequence identity and all typical domains of other A2M-family members in humans and rodents, despite unique absence of hepatic expression. The bait region is most distinct and has the greatest sequence similarity with rat acute-phase A2m.

Uterine natural killer cells: insights into their cellular and molecular biology from mouse modelling.

In primates, including women, and in rodents, natural killer lymphocytes (NK cells) have a unique relationship with the decidualizing uterus. Implantation sites from genetically modified and transplanted mice have proven useful models for understanding potential mechanisms involved in the recruitment, activation and functions of human CD56(bright) uterine (u)NK cells. Key findings are reviewed in this article.

Decidual natural killer cells: key regulators of placental development (a review).

Establishment of pregnancy initiates a dynamic and predictable series of changes in the uterus. In rodents, the trophectoderm of the blastocyst develops through the stage of an ectoplacental cone to become the placenta. The inner cell mass becomes the fetus and its associated extra-embryonic ectoderm and mesoderm.