Low-dose irradiation of mouse embryos increases Smad-p21 pathway activity and preserves pluripotency.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To study the outcomes of mouse preimplantation embryos irradiated with low doses of X-rays (≤ 1 Gy) and investigate apoptosis and pluripotency of the irradiated embryos.

Methods

Mouse embryos at the 2-cell stage were collected for in vitro culture. After reaching the 8-cell stage, embryos were irradiated with various low doses of X-rays (0-1 Gy). Blastocysts with a normal appearance were transferred into a pseudopregnant uterus. The developmental rate to blastocysts and the survival rate following embryo transfer were examined. Expression levels of p21, Smad2, Foxo1, Cdx2, Oct4, and Nanog genes were measured by RT-PCR. Apoptotic cells in mouse blastocysts were examined immunofluorescently by staining for cleaved caspase-3.

Results

More than 90% of non-irradiat

SUBMITTER: Hayashi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6030001 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature