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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40254588 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-025-02191-2

IGF-1 promotes trophectoderm cell proliferation of porcine embryos by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Cell Commun Signal 23(1):188

Authors: Min Ju Kim, Hyo-Gu Kang, Se-Been Jeon, Ji Hyeon Yun, Eun Young Choi, Pil-Soo Jeong, Bong-Seok Song, Sun-Uk Kim, Seong-Keun Cho, Bo-Woong Sim

Affiliations

  • Futuristic Animal Resource & Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources & Life Science, Pusan National University, Miryang, Republic of Korea.
  • Futuristic Animal Resource & Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
  • Futuristic Animal Resource & Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Department of Animal BioScience, School of Animal Life Convergence, Hankyong National University, Ansung, Republic of Korea.
  • Futuristic Animal Resource & Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
  • Futuristic Animal Resource & Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources & Life Science, Pusan National University, Miryang, Republic of Korea. Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Life and Industry Convergence Research Institute (LICRI), Pusan National University, Miryang, Republic of Korea.
  • Futuristic Animal Resource & Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) influences various aspects of embryogenesis, including embryonic development. This study investigated the effects of IGF-1 on early embryonic development in pig embryos, focusing on its interaction with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a key regulator of cell adhesion and proliferation.

METHODS

Porcine embryos were used for experiments with chemical treatments to study blastocyst development and underlying mechanism. Apoptosis, immunochemistry, gene expression, and protein quantification were performed, with statistical significance assessed.

RESULTS

IGF-1 treatment during the early stages of embryonic development significantly enhanced developmental parameters, in particular blastocyst formation rates. Interestingly, IGF-1 increased trophectoderm (TE) cell proliferation. The TE is an essential component of the blastocyst, maintaining its structure. Successful development of pig embryos was dependent on the proper formation and function of the TE. IGF-1 upregulated the expression of functional proteins related to TE differentiation and tight junctions. Notably, these effects were more pronounced when IGF-1 treatment was performed during the last 3 days of embryonic development (days 3-6) compared to the first 3 days (days 0-3). In addition, we found that IGF-1 promoted activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, including increasing β-catenin levels and related gene expression. To confirm the interaction between IGF-1 signaling and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in TE development, embryos were cultured with picropodophyllin, an IGF-1 receptor inhibitor. Picropodophyllin suppressed developmental parameters, β-catenin levels, TE cell differentiation, and tight junction formation. These effects were successfully rescued by IGF-1 and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling activator ChiR99021.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide new insights into the interaction between IGF-1 and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway during embryogenesis and highlight the potential of IGF-1 to improve reproductive outcomes by enhancing TE formation and quality.

MeSH

Cells, Genes, Cell Proliferation, Blastocyst, Catenins, Embryonic Development, Tight Junctions, Cell Communication, Therapeutics, Gene Expression, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I