title: Expression and function of interleukin-11 and its receptor alpha in the human endometrium.
abstract: The interleukin-11 (IL-11) receptor alpha has an important function in decidualization of mouse endometrial stroma but the function of IL-11 and its receptor in the human endometrium remains unknown. The mRNA for IL-11 and its receptor alpha in human endometrial tissue samples were analysed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and RNase protection assays respectively. The proteins were detected in frozen endometrial tissue samples by immunofluorescence. The effect of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) on secretion of IL-11 by cultured endometrial stromal cells was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The proliferative potential of IL-11 in endometrial stromal cells was assessed by [(3)H]thymidine uptake. IL-11 and its receptor alpha mRNAs and proteins were detected in the endometrium throughout the cycle. Distinct patterns of localization of the ligand and receptor were observed. HB-EGF induced IL-11 secretion by cultured stromal cells, and IL-11 induced [(3)H]thymidine uptake by these cells. Our data suggest that IL-11-receptor interactions may perform different functions in the human endometrium at different stages of the cycle, and that secretion of IL-11 is modulated by local growth factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstretrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karpovich
authors.forename: Katya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chobotova
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carver
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Mardon
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D053703:Interleukin-11 Receptor alpha Subunit; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D053702:Receptors, Interleukin-11; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C508428:IL11RA protein, human; C508429:Il11ra1 protein, mouse; C508431:Il11ra2 protein, mouse; D017370:Interleukin-11; D053703:Interleukin-11 Receptor alpha Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053702:Receptors, Interleukin-11; D004247:DNA; D013936:Thymidine