Analysis of follicular helper T cell percentage and expression levels of functionally related cytokines in a mouse model of incomplete embryo implantation disorders
- VernacularTitle:不完全型胚胎着床障碍模型小鼠滤泡辅助性T细胞占比及功能相关细胞因子表达水平分析
- Author:
Peng WANG
1
;
Xiaoyun GONG
1
;
Manli ZHANG
1
;
Yunian ZHANG
1
;
Xiaolin LA
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: follicular helper T cells; embryo implantation disorder; C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5 protein; B-cell lymphoma 6 protein; cytokines; endometrial receptivity
- From: Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):38-44
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: ObjectiveTo detect the proportion of splenic follicular helper T （Tfh） cells and their functionally related cytokine expression levels in the incomplete embryo implantation disorder （EID） model mice， and to explore the immunological mechanism of Tfh in infertility caused by embryo implantation disorder. MethodsSixteen female Kunming mice were randomly divided into two groups， with eight mice in each group. On day 4 of pregnancy， an incomplete EID mouse model was established by oral gavage of mifepristone suspension， while an equal volume of saline was administered to the control group. On day 8 of pregnancy， the mice were euthanized. Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of Tfh cells in the spleen lymphocytes of both incomplete EID mice and normal control mice. qRT-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of B-cell lymphoma 6 （Bcl-6） and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5 protein （CXCR5） in the spleen lymphocytes of both groups. Western blot was employed to assess the protein expression levels of Bcl-6 and CXCR5 in the spleen lymphocytes of both groups. Serum levels of interleukin-4 （IL-4）， IL-6， and IL-21 were measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to observe the expression levels of progesterone receptor （PR）， Bcl-6， and CXCR5 proteins in the uterine endometrial tissue of mice in both groups. ResultsIncomplete-type EID mice had a reduced number of embryo implantation points and reduced endometrial PR expression. Flow assay results showed that the proportion of CD4+CXCR5+Tfh cells in splenic lymphocytes of incomplete-type EID mice was significantly higher than that of normal controls （P<0.05）. Compared with the normal control group， Bcl-6 and CXCR5 mRNA levels and protein levels were elevated in splenic lymphocytes of incomplete EID mice， with statistically significant differences （P<0.05）； serum IL-4， IL-6， and IL-21 levels were elevated in incomplete EID mice， and Bcl-6 and CXCR5 proteins in the endometrium were significantly elevated （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe increase of Tfh cells and their associated cytokines Bcl-6 and CXCR5 is associated with the development of incomplete EID， and may be involved in the development of female immune infertility.
