Uterine chemokines in reproductive physiology and pathology.
OBJECTIVE
Chemokines are increasingly recognized as important regulators of uterine function.


METHODS
The following is a review of uterine chemokines, especially monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-8, and regulated-upon-activation normal-T-cell-expressed and -secreted (RANTES) protein, in reproductive physiology and pathology.


RESULTS
It is increasingly clear that IL-8, MCP-1, RANTES and their receptors are produced by endometrial, myometrial, and trophoblast cell types in a timed and co-ordinated manner. In addition to the regulation of leukocyte migration and function, uterine chemokines also display specific roles in endometrial angiogenesis, apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES are regulated by local growth factors and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma, and IL-1. IL-8 takes part in cervical ripening and parturition. IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES are also found at high levels in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Co-ordination of chemokine-chemokine receptor interactions plays an important role in the menstrual cycle and successful pregnancy. Moreover, unbalanced chemokine expression contributes to pathologic conditions typified by uncontrolled cellular proliferation, migration and invasion.
Kayisli
Umit A
UA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8063, USA.
Mahutte
Neal G
NG
Arici
Aydin
A
D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000276:immunology; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000502:physiology; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000502:physiology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000502:physiology; D008598:Menstruation / Q000276:immunology; D009215:Myometrium / Q000276:immunology; D036801:Parturition / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D018925:Chemokines; D016209:Interleukin-8; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine