Alteration of the timing of implantation by in vivo gene transfer: delay of implantation by suppression of nuclear factor κB activity and partial rescue by leukemia inhibitory factor

Abstract

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is activated in the murine endometrium during implantation period [Am. J. Reprod. Immunol. 51 (2004) 16]. Transient transfection of IκBα mutant (IκBαM) cDNA into the mouse uterine cavity using hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope vector suppressed uterine NF-κB activity less than half of that observed in control on days 3.5 and 4.5 p.c. IκBαM cDNA transfection led to significant delay of implantation. After IκBαM cDNA transfection, LIF mRNA expression in the uterus was significantly suppressed on days 3.5 and 4.5 p.c. Co-transfection of LIF cDNA with IκBαM cDNA in the uterus partially rescued the delay of implantation induced by suppression of NF-κB activity. Taken together, these findings indicate that NF-κB activation determines the timing of the implantation, at least in part, via control of LIF expression.