Abstract
Abstract Previous work identified in blastocele fluid a soluble activity which killed cmbryonal carcinoma cells with trophectodermal potential but not those with embryonic potential [35]. From use of a malignant caricature of the late blastocyst, this toxic activity was postulated to be H20, [8]. The purpose of this paper was to determine if blastocele fluid also contained amounts of H 2O, capable of mediating the preferential killing of malignant pretrophectodermal cells (ECa 247). We not only observed that blastocele fluid is not toxic for these cells in the presence of catalase, but that malignant cells with embryonic potential (P19) that normally survive exposure to blastocele fluid become sensitive to it if their intracellular glutathione levels are lowered. Thus, it is concluded that the blastocyst contains amounts of H20, toxic to malignant pretrophectodermal cells and that glutathione-dependent mechanisms protect malignant inner cell mass cells with embryonic potential. Apparently, H202production and glutathione-dependent protection mechanisms are developmentally regulated in the inner cell mass. These results are discussed with regards to apoptosis and the regulation of tissue mass.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call