title: Effects of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone on interleukin-6 production and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
abstract: The present investigation was performed to study the effects of steroids on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production and on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC were isolated and cultured in 24-well dishes until confluency was achieved. Afterwards cells were stimulated with either 17beta-estradiol or progesterone at concentrations of 10(-12)-10(-6) mol/l. IL-6 concentrations in cell supernatants were measured by ELISA and cell proliferation was determined by flow-cytometric assessment of S-phase-cells. 17Beta-estradiol significantly inhibited basal IL-6 secretion at doses of 10(-12)-10(-6) mol/l whereas progesterone had no measurable effects. Neither 17beta-estradiol nor progesterone affected the proliferation rate of endothelial cells. The results of our study suggest that 17beta-estradiol at non-proliferative doses regulates IL-6 secretion of endothelial cells and thereby modulates processes of vascular physiology.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Freiburg, Germany. CKECK@FRK1.UKL.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keck
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herchenbach
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pfisterer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breckwoldt
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol