Expression, production, and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 by granulosa cells is comparable in women with and without endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the production and secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein by granulosa luteal cells (GCs) in vivo and in vitro in women with and without endometriosis.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
A private, university-affiliated assisted reproduction unit and a university center.


METHODS
Women with severe endometriosis (n = 6) or without the disease (n = 14) after laparoscopy, undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer.


METHODS
GCs were obtained from each aspirate.


METHODS
Intracellular and secreted protein, as well as mRNA for both VEGF and IL-6 in GCs.


RESULTS
The expression of VEGF and IL-6 mRNAs in vivo and in vitro was similar in both groups. Also, GCs from patients with endometriosis produced and secreted equal amounts of these proteins compared with controls without the disease, either in freshly isolated cells or in 24-hour cultures.


CONCLUSIONS
The GC function in terms of VEGF and IL-6 production does not seem to be altered in patients with endometriosis in comparison with those without this condition.
Garrido
N
N
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Valencia University School of Medicine, Valencia, Spain.
Albert
C
C
Krüssel
J S
JS
O'Connor
J E
JE
Remohí
J
J
Simón
C
C
Pellicer
A
A
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D017931:DNA Primers; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012016:Reference Values; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D017931:DNA Primers; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors