Cyclic changes of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mRNA in the human follicle during the normal menstrual cycle and immunolocalization of G-CSF protein.
BACKGROUND
Ovulation has several similarities with inflammation and is closely connected to the activity of leukocytes and inflammatory cytokines. Since granulocytes are one of the major leukocytes, we focused our attention on the presence and local production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the human ovary.


METHODS
The presence of G-CSF protein in the follicular fluid and perifollicular tissues was examined by Western blot analysis (n = 5) and immunohistochemical staining (n = 10). The relative expression levels of G-CSF mRNA in relation to GAPDH in granulosa, theca and luteal cells during the menstrual cycle were measured by quantitative RT-PCR using TaqMan technology (n = 15).


RESULTS
G-CSF protein was detected in all follicular fluid and located mainly in granulosa cells of the follicle and luteal cells. The expression level of G-CSF mRNA in the late follicular phase was 137.6 +/- 18.5, which was approximately 10-fold greater than other phases during the menstrual cycle (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that G-CSF is produced in the human follicle shortly before the ovulatory phase and may play an important role in the mechanism of ovulation.
Yanagi
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan.
Makinoda
S
S
Fujii
R
R
Miyazaki
S
S
Fujita
S
S
Tomizawa
H
H
Yoshida
K
K
Iura
T
T
Takegami
T
T
Nojima
T
T
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D005498:Follicular Phase; D015870:Gene Expression; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000737:chemistry*; D010060:Ovulation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000737:chemistry
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor