Placental defects and embryonic lethality in mice lacking suppressor of cytokine signaling 3

Abstract

Mice lacking suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) exhibited embryonic lethality with death occurring between days 11 and 13 of gestation. At this stage, SOCS3-/- embryos were slightly smaller than wild type but appeared otherwise normal, and histological analysis failed to detect any anatomical abnormalities responsible for the lethal phenotype. Rather, in all SOCS3-/- embryos examined, defects were evident in placental development that would account for their developmental arrest and death. The placental spongiotrophoblast layer was significantly reduced and accompanied by increased numbers of giant trophoblast cells. Delayed branching of the chorioallantois was evident, and, although..