Top: Timeline of opossum development showing the slow versus rapid developmental phases and the onset of syncytial knot formation. Shell coat hatching occurs at 12 dpc and syncytialization on day 13. Lactation from 14.5 to 70.5 dpc is linearly compressed for clarity. Timing of anti-inflammatory injection experiments are marked. Photos show M. domestica litter on the day of birth (left) and litter ~1 month into the lactation period (right). Bottom left: Inferred cell-cell ligand-receptor interactions of select inflammatory cytokines originating from syncytial knots and their inhibitors at the 13.5 dpc utero-placental interface. Bottom right: Hematoxlin and eosin-stained 13.5 dpc uterus showing apposition of syncytial knots to uterine lumen and underlying vasculature.
#Marsupial #pregnancy is short; an #inflammation spike has been proposed to be a maternal immune response that limits #gestation. This study shows that in #opossums, inflammatory signaling shapes maternal #vascular investment to promote offspring survival @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4sdsDKL
