Journal article

IL11 Antagonist Inhibits Uterine Stromal Differentiation, Causing Pregnancy Failure in Mice

Ellen Menkhorst, Lois Salamonsen, Lorraine Robb, Evdokia Dimitriadis

BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION | OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC | Published : 2009

Abstract

Hormonal contraceptives are unsuitable for many women; thus, the development of new, nonhormonal contraceptives is of great interest. In women, uterine epithelial expression of interleukin 11 (IL11) and its receptor (IL11RA) suggests IL11 is critical for blastocyst attachment during implantation. Il11ra-deficient mice are infertile due to a defective decidualization response to the blastocyst, leading to total pregnancy loss. We examined the effect of administering a PEGylated IL11 antagonist, PEGIL11A (where PEG is polyethylene glycol), on pregnancy outcomes in mice and IL11 signaling in human endometrial epithelial cells (HES). PEGIL11A was detected in sera up to 72 h after intraperitoneal..

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Grants

Awarded by Eastern Virginia Medical School


Awarded by NH& MRC of Australia


Funding Acknowledgements

Supported by the Consortium for Industrial Collaboration in Contraceptive Research Program of the Contraceptive Research and Development Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School (Sub-project CIG-07116) and by the NH& MRC of Australia (# 388901, # 388916, and # 461219).