Description of Research: Regulation of basigin production and secretion in extracellular vesicles by steroid hormones in bovine uterine cells.

Summary: My project is to comprehensively explore the role of basigin, a multifunctional glycoprotein, in the context of Bovine Uterine Epithelial Cells (BUTE) and Bovine fibroblast (BFIB) and its potential influence on the elongation of bovine embryos. This study encompasses several critical aspects 1) Identification of basigin in BUTE Cells and BFIB cells, the project commences with the identification and localization of basigin within BUTE and BFIB cells 2) Regulation of basigin in BUTE Cells and BFIB cells by Progesterone, Estrogen, and IGF-1. Subsequently, I will investigate how steroid hormones (Progesterone and Estrogen) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) influence the expression and regulation of basigin in BUTE cells and BFIB cells.

This project also includes the Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) from BUTE Cells and BFIB cells: EVs, including exosomes and microvesicles, are isolated from BUTE cells and BFIB cells using ultracentrifuge machine. Characterization of EVs: Detailed characterization of the isolated EVs includes assessing their size, morphology, and biomarkers. Techniques like electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and proteomic analysis will be employed.

Identification of basigin in EVs: I will investigate whether basigin is present within the isolated EVs from BUTE cells and BFIB cells.  After identification I will investigate the regulation of basigin in EVs from BUTE Cells and BFIB cells through Steroid Hormones. The study further delves into how steroid hormones influence basigin expression and packaging into EVs. I will investigates the expression of basigin in cow endometrial biopsies at different stages of the estrous cycle and its expression in bovine embryos at different stages of embryonic development. I will also investigate the effect of EVs on Bovine Embryo Elongation: To assess the functional significance of EVs, I will examine its impact on the elongation of bovine embryos. Co-culture experiments with bovine embryos will be conducted, and morphological changes will be monitored.