Fig. 5.

Nuclear localization of NF-κB proteins increase in mouse uterus as term approaches and is further increased by SP-A injection into amniotic fluid. (A) NF-κB activation increases in the pregnant mouse uterus as term approaches. Nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions obtained from uteri of mice at 16, 17, 18, and 19 dpc were subjected to immunoblotting by using antibodies against p50 and p65. This immunoblot is representative of findings obtained using pregnant mice from three independent gestational series. (B) Injection of SP-A into all amniotic sacs of one uterine horn on 15 dpc increases activation of NF-κB in the pregnant uterus. Fifteen dpc mice were i.a. injected either with SP-A or vehicle (Control). The injected mice were killed 4.5 h after surgery. Uterine cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions prepared from the injected (inj) and contralateral noninjected (non inj) horns were analyzed for p65 by immunoblotting.