title: Ovarian steroids modulate human monocyte tumor necrosis factor alpha messenger ribonucleic acid levels in cultured human peripheral monocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels in human peripheral monocytes are regulated by ovarian steroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human granulosa-luteal cells and cultured, activated human peripheral monocytes were subjected to Northern blot analysis for TNF-alpha mRNA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two human female volunteers of reproductive age and in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human granulosa-luteal cells produce TNF-alpha mRNA. Physiological levels of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) modulate TNF-alpha mRNA from peripheral blood monocytes with an apparent inverse relationship between steroid concentration and TNF-alpha message.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Progesterone and E2 at physiological concentrations regulate TNF-alpha mRNA production. The P antagonist mifepristone (RU486) and the E2 agonist/antagonist tamoxifen modulate total TNF-alpha mRNA levels, suggesting involvement of specific receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Loy
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Loukides
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Polan
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009000:Monocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol