Figure 5.

LIF controls the IHH pathway during stromal decidualization. A, Ihh signaling is down-regulated in the uteri of WE^d/d mice. Real-time RT-PCR was performed to monitor the expression of Ihh, Ptch1, and COUP-TFII in the uteri of Esr1^fl/fl and WE^d/d mice at 20 hours after decidual stimulation. The levels of Rplp0 and Ck18 were used as an internal control to normalize gene expression. B, Ihh signaling is restored in WE^d/d mice during the rescue of decidualization by LIF. Real-time PCR was performed to monitor the expression of Ihh, Ptch1, and COUP-TFII in the uteri of Esr1^fl/fl, WE^d/d, and WE^d/d plus LIF at 20 hours after decidual stimulation. The levels of Rplp0 and Ck18 were used as an internal control to normalize gene expression. The data are represented as the mean fold induction ± SEM. *, P ≤ .05; **, P ≤ .01.