Effects of cytokines on VEGF expression and secretion by human first trimester trophoblast cell line.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanism through which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulation occurs at the feto-maternal interface is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various cytokines on VEGF expression and secretion by trophoblast cells.


METHODS
We investigated the effects of cytokines on VEGF expression in human first trimester trophoblast cell line by analyzing VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and VEGF protein secretion by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The trophoblast cells expressed VEGF mRNA constitutively and the main subtypes were identified as VEGF121 and VEGF165. When cultured in the presence of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)- 1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-2, or IL-10, VEGF mRNA expression was found to be significantly increased by IL-1beta, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha but to be unaffected by IL-2 and IL-10. Moreover, VEGF secretion was most significantly increased by IFN-gamma treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha may regulate the production of VEGF in early gestational trophoblasts.
Choi
Sun Ju
SJ
Department of Microbiology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Kangwon-do, Korea.
Park
Joo Young
JY
Lee
Young Kyu
YK
Choi
Hyun Il
HI
Lee
Young Sim
YS
Koh
Choon-Myung
CM
Chung
In-Bai
IB
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000502:physiology; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000502:physiology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000502:physiology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000502:physiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016753:Interleukin-10; D016899:Interferon-beta