Human umbilical vessels and cultured umbilical vein endothelial and smooth muscle cells lack detectable protein and mRNA encoding estrogen receptors.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and characterize estrogen receptors in human umbilical vascular tissues and in cultured cells derived from the human umbilical vein.


METHODS
Human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) and human umbilical vein smooth muscle (HUVSM) cells were isolated. Immunohistochemical, radioligand binding. Western immunoblotting, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods were used to detect estrogen receptors in vascular tissues and in cells derived from the umbilical cord.


RESULTS
Estrogen receptor protein was not detected in either umbilical vessel tissue or in isolated HUVE or HUVSM cells. Messenger RNAs for the classic estrogen receptor (alpha) and estrogen receptor beta isoforms also were undetectable by RT-PCR.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the effects of estradiol observed in this widely used vascular model are mediated by very low concentrations of receptors that evade standard methods of detection. Alternatively, this steroid may affect umbilical vascular cells through mechanisms that do not involve the classic genomic estrogen-receptor pathway.
Baker
V L
VL
W. M. Keck Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Molecular Biology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Chao
V A
VA
Murai
J T
JT
Zaloudek
C J
CJ
Taylor
R N
RN
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007536:Isomerism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014316:Tritium; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014316:Tritium; D004958:Estradiol; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases