Functional effects of BMPR1B in porcine endometrium provides novel insights into the high fecundity of Taihu pigs

Zhexi Liu; Han Zhang; Ji Wang; Depeng Wang; Tong Zeng; Xiaohua Ai; Xiaofeng Wang; Xingbo Zhao; Keliang Wu

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139188

Functional effects of BMPR1B in porcine endometrium provides novel insights into the high fecundity of Taihu pigs

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Dec 26:139188. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139188. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Zhexi Liu¹, Han Zhang², Ji Wang², Depeng Wang², Tong Zeng², Xiaohua Ai², Xiaofeng Wang³, Xingbo Zhao², Keliang Wu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Frontier Technology Research Institute of China Agricultural University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518119, China.
² Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
³ Beijing Municipal General Station for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Service, Beijing 100107, China.
⁴ Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; CAU-SC Advanced Agricultural & Industrial institute, CAU-SCCD Advanced Agricultural & Industrial institute, China Agricultural University, Chengdu 611430, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39732258
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139188

Abstract

Litter size in pigs is affected by factors such as ovulation number, embryonic survival, and uterine environment conditions. Endometrial epithelial and stromal cells represent the first site of contact between the embryo and sows; therefore, dynamic changes in the growth and development of these cells are among the major factors affecting the intrauterine environment and implantation. Bone morphogenetic protein receptor type-1B (BMPR1B) is a receptor of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family that has been identified as a candidate gene for reproductive traits in pigs. In our previous study, we used whole-genome resequencing to identify BMPR1B as a candidate gene affecting sow litter size in Taihu pigs and revealed the transcriptional regulation of BMPR1B in the endometrium. However, the functional role of BMPR1B in the growth and development of the endometrium in pigs has not been comprehensively elucidated. In this study, we isolated, characterized, and immortalized Meishan pig endometrial cells, and systematically explored the biological function of BMPR1B using a cell model. BMPR1B promoted cell proliferation and migration of endometrial stromal cells but inhibited that of endometrial epithelial cells. Transcriptome sequencing revealed potential pathways through which BMPR1B influences the growth and development of endometrial cells, including vascular system development, gland morphology, cell migration and adhesion, and reproductive system development. Moreover, the outstanding uterine function of Meishan pigs from endometrial genomic aspects was performed elucidated through CUT&Tag experiments. Most biological process, including reproductive system development, embryonic morphogenesis, and angiogenesis, were enriched by genes that were differentially bound by enhancer markers. These findings provide a valuable resource for future research on the mechanisms underlying the excellent uterine function in Meishan pigs.

Keywords: BMP/SMAD; BMPR1B; Endometrial epithelial and stromal cells; Meishan pigs; Prolificacy.