Changes in vascular endothelial growth factor production associated with decidualization by human endometrial stromal cells in vitro.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to clarify changes in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during decidualization by endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) in vitro.


METHODS
ESCs were separated by enzymic digestion and filtration, and were cultured with RPMI 1640 in 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP) to induce decidualization in vitro. The levels of prolactin (PRL) in the culture media were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and the levels of VEGF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of VEGF mRNA by ESCs and decidualized cells was analyzed by Northern blot analysis.


RESULTS
In treated cells, PRL production was significantly increased due to treatment with both db-cAMP (0.5 mmol/L) and MPA (100 nmol/L). VEGF mRNA expression was detected without any stimulation by ESCs. VEGF production was also significantly greater in cells treated with db-cAMP (0.5 mmol/L) and MPA (1 nmol/L or 100 nmol/L) than in control cells. VEGF mRNA was also increased in association with decidualization in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF production increased in association with decidualization in this in vitro study. Decidualization of ESCs may play a role in the induction of growth in the human fetus and/or placentation. The mechanism involved may include influencing the production of angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF.
Matsui
Naohiko
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita Medical University, Hasama, Oita, Japan.
Kawano
Yasushi
Y
Nakamura
Satomi
S
Miyakawa
Isao
I
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003656:Decidua / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D011388:Prolactin