Transforming growth factor-beta stimulates, and glucocorticoids and epidermal growth factor inhibit brain natriuretic peptide secretion from cultured human amnion cells.
We previously reported the massive secretion of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) from human amnion cells and suggested the possible role of BNP in the maintenance of human pregnancy. In this study, to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of BNP secretion from amnion cells, we measured the BNP level in the culture medium of amnion cells by RIA after incubation in the presence of various substances. Among the agents examined, cortisol (1 x 10(-7) to 1 x 10(-6) mol/L), dexamethasone (1 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-6) mol/L), and epidermal growth factor (EGF; 2 x 10(-11) to 2 x 10(-8) mol/L) inhibited BNP secretion from the cultured amnion cells in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta; 4 x 10(-11) to 4 x 10(-9) mol/L) caused a 3- to 5-fold increase in BNP secretion. TGF beta-augmented BNP secretion was abolished by the addition of cortisol or EGF to the culture medium. Moreover, in this study, we revealed the presence of bioactive TGF beta in human amniotic fluid (approximately 4 x 10(-10) mol/L). The present finding of tight regulation of BNP secretion from amnion cells by cortisol, EGF and TGF beta, all at the concentrations physiologically present in human amniotic fluid, implies a physiological role of BNP secretion from amnion cells in the pregnant uterus.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
H
H
Itoh
N
N
Sagawa
M
M
Hasegawa
K
K
Inamori
H
H
Ueda
K
K
Kitagawa
H
H
Nanno
Y
Y
Ihara
F
F
Kobayashi
T
T
Mori
D000650:Amnion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D006854:Hydrocortisone