Interferon-alpha is a potent inhibitor of basic fibroblast growth factor-stimulated cell proliferation in human uterine cells.
OBJECTIVE
Abnormal uterine bleeding is a significant health problem for many women and is the number-one reason for performing hysterectomy in the United States. Leiomyomas (uterine fibroids) are benign neoplasms that are a frequent cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of the anti-angiogenic cytokine, interferon (INF)-alpha, on the proliferation of both leiomyoma and normal uterine cells.


METHODS
Primary cultures of leiomyoma, myometrial, and endometrial stromal cells were established for in vitro study. The effects of INF-alpha (10, 100, and 1000 U/ml) were tested on serum-stimulated and basic fibroblast growth factor-stimulated cell proliferation using the [3H]thymidine incorporation assay.


RESULTS
INF-alpha was a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation for all three cell types, with endometrial stromal cells showing the greatest sensitivity. The antiproliferative effect did not appear to result from toxic effects on the cells.


CONCLUSIONS
INFs may prove to be useful therapeutic agents for the treatment of leiomyoma-related abnormal uterine bleeding.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
B S
BS
Lee
E A
EA
Stewart
M
M
Sahakian
R A
RA
Nowak
D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000166:cytology; D009215:Myometrium / Q000166:cytology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors