Regulation of polymeric immunoglobulin A receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in rodent uteri: effect of sex hormones

Previously we have shown that estradiol stimulates the production of secretory component, the external domain of the polymeric immunoglobulin A (IgA) receptor (pIgR) responsible for transporting IgA from tissues into secretions. In the present study, levels of pIgR messenger RNA (mRNA) in uterine tissues of rats were correlated with pIgR expression in epithelial cells and secretory component in uterine secretions. Analysis of uterine pIgR mRNA and pIgR expression in epithelial cells during the estrous cycle indicated that levels were high at proestrus and estrus and low at diestrus. When ovariectomized rats were treated with estradiol for 3 days, and pIgR mRNA was measured 4 and 12 h after the last injection, levels of uterine pIgR mRNA were significantly greater than those in saline-treated controls. High levels of pIgR were also detected in uterine epithelial cells and uterine secretions. When estradiol and progesterone were given in combination, progesterone partially reversed the effect of estradiol on pIgR mRNA levels and expression of pIgR in epithelial cells. These studies demonstrate that changes in uterine pIgR mRNA levels correlate with pIgR expression during the estrous cycle and in response to estradiol and progesterone. These findings suggest that mucosal immune responses in the reproductive tract are regulated in part by the actions of estradiol and progesterone on pIgR mRNA expression.