Characterization of interleukin-1 beta 2, a novel interleukin-1 expressed by the early pig conceptus during establishment of pregnancy

It is essential that the early mammalian embryo attaches to the uterus or implants to survive. Most embryonic mortality is associated with complications during this process resulting in a loss of 25-60% of embryos or pregnancies. To promote implantation, the embryo will release proinflammatory cytokines. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B) is a proinflammatory cytokine released by the human, rodent and pig embryo that is believed to be important for implantation. The gene encoding IL-1B has duplicated in the pig resulting in two distinct genes; IL-1B1 and a novel gene referred to as interleukin-1 beta 2 (IL-1B2). It�s believed that IL-1B2, rather than IL-1B1, is released by the early pig embryo, however, the function of IL-1B2 is unknown. To better understand the involvement of proinflammatory cytokines during implantation, we characterized IL-1B2�s activity within the pig endometrium. Based on experiments presented in this dissertation we conclude that pig embryos release IL-1B2 as early as Day 6 of development, IL-1B2 increases the activity and production of proteins within the endometrium that may be necessary for implantation and within the endometrium, IL-1B2 may have less activity when compared with IL-1B1. Overall, the early pig embryo releases a newly discovered IL-1 that likely creates a balanced proinflammatory environment within the endometrium to enhance implantation. Investigations of embryo implantation, with a special emphasis on IL- 1 system, will increase our understanding of early pregnancy in humans and in animals used in production of food and biomedical research