Expression of nuclear factor kappa B components in the ovine maternal liver in early pregnancy periods

There is a systemic immunological adaptation to maintaining tolerance towards the allogeneic fetus, and the liver participates in the adaptive immune tolerance during normal pregnancy. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) signalings contribute to immune regulation and liver homoeostasis. The objective of this study is to explore the effects of early pregnancy on expression of NF-kappa B components in the maternal liver in sheep. The maternal livers were sampled on Day 16 of the estrous cycle, and Days 13, 16, and 25 of gestation, and the expression of NF-kappa B components, including NF-kappa B1 (p50), NF-kappa B2 (p52), RelA (p65), RelB, and c-Rel, was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical analysis. Our data revealed that early pregnancy inhibited the expression of NF-kappa B1 and c-Rel, but the expression of NF-kappa B1 and c-Rel was increased during early pregnancy. However, early pregnancy enhanced the expression of NF-kappa B2, RelA, and RelB with the pregnancy progress. In conclusion, early pregnancy regulates the expression of NF-kappa B components in the maternal livers, which may contribute to maintaining maternal liver homeostasis and immune tolerance during early pregnancy in sheep.