The role of leukemia inhibitory factor in regulating angiogenesis-related gene expression in a mouse model of recurrent miscarriage.

Background: Recurrent miscarriage is an early pregnancy complication that affects approximately 1-3 % of pregnant couples. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) plays an important role in various biological processes, including angiogenesis and pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the role of LIF in regulating angiogenesis-related genes in a mouse model of recurrent miscarriage.

Method: Female CBA/J mice mated with DBA/2J males were utilized as a miscarriage model. The study population was randomly assigned to three groups, normal group, mating female CBA/J mouse with male Balb/c without injection; miscarriage model control group with PBS injection; and the miscarriage group, in which LIF was injected. Following detection of a vaginal plug, mice were dissected on days 4, 7, and 14 of pregnancy. Uterine and placental tissues were collected to assess the expression of angiogenesis-related genes, including VEGF, PDGF, ANG1, FGF, and TGF-β, using real-time PCR.

Result: Data analysis revealed no significant differences in the expression of angiogenesis-related genes on days 4 and 7 of pregnancy compared with the control group. However, on day 14 of pregnancy, the expression of VEGF and TGF-β was significantly elevated in the miscarriage group receiving LIF compared to other groups (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). The placental expression of the studied genes also exhibited a non-significant increase in the miscarriage group, with VEGF and TGF-β showing the most prominent increases, although these changes were not statistically significant. Correlation analysis between uterine and placental gene expression on day 14 revealed no significant association.

Conclusion: LIF regulates the uterine and placental expression of angiogenesis-related genes, particularly VEGF and TGF-β. These findings highlight the role of LIF in regulating angiogenesis-related gene expression and suggest that LIF could be a potential therapeutic candidate for improving pregnancy outcomes in cases of recurrent miscarriage.