title: Corticotrophin-releasing hormone and platelet-activating factor induce transcription of the type-2 cyclo-oxygenase gene in human fetal membranes.
abstract: Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) are considered to be involved in the physiological processes of human labour. Both may have dual effects, directly regulating myometrial contractility and fetal membrane prostaglandin production. During this study, we investigated the mechanisms through which CRH and PAF exert their latter effect. CRH and PAF increased prostaglandin production from intact fetal membrane discs, with a maximum stimulation after 8 h of culture. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses using primers specific for type-2 cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) showed that CRH and PAF increased the transcription of COX-2 mRNA two-fold after 8 h culture. These data indicate that the increased fetal membrane prostaglandin production in response to CRH or PAF may involve the induction of COX-2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Alvi
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; D015232:Dinoprostone