Role of foxj1 and estrogen receptor alpha in ciliated epithelial cell differentiation of the neonatal oviduct

in Journal of Molecular Endocrinology
Authors:
A Okada
Search for other papers by A Okada in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Y Ohta
Search for other papers by Y Ohta in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
SL Brody
Search for other papers by SL Brody in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
H Watanabe
Search for other papers by H Watanabe in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
A Krust
Search for other papers by A Krust in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
P Chambon
Search for other papers by P Chambon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
T Iguchi
Search for other papers by T Iguchi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Free access

Sign up for journal news

Estrogen regulates proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells in the mammalian oviduct, but pathways for cell-specific differentiation are not well understood. In the epithelial cells of the developing rat oviduct, we found estrogen receptor (ER) alpha is expressed at birth and persists in all cells through neonatal day (ND) 7 when ciliated cells appear. To determine a specific function of ER and foxj1, a transcription factor known to have fundamental roles in ciliogenesis in the lung, in differentiation of the ciliated epithelial cells, we treated newborn rats from ND 0 to 5 with estradiol-17beta (E2) with and without a selective ER antagonist. E2 enhanced the number of proliferating cells and accelerated the process of epithelial cell differentiation resulting in ciliogenesis by ND 5, and co-treatment with an ER antagonist inhibited these changes. Foxj1 was expressed only in the infundibulum and ampulla (INF/AMP). That expression preceded the appearance of cilia and was induced by E2. Cilia were absent in oviducts of foxj1-deficient mice, indicating that foxj1 plays a critical role in oviductal ciliogenesis. However, we found the presence of cilia in the ERalpha-deficient mouse oviduct. The widespread expression of ERalpha in oviductal epithelium, but restriction of cilia to the INF/AMP regions, and importantly, the presence of cilia in the ERalpha-deficient mice, suggested ER signaling is not essential for ciliated epithelial cell differentiation. These observations demonstrate that, although E2 stimulates the differentiation process of ciliated epithelial cells, foxj1 is directly required for epithelial cell ciliogenesis of the neonatal oviduct.

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand