Osteopontin is up-regulated in human decidual stromal cells.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze expression and regulation of osteopontin in human stromal endometrial and decidual cells.


METHODS
Study by immunohistochemistry, RNase protection assay, and in vitro study.


METHODS
Academic research unit.


METHODS
Twenty-five fertile women.


METHODS
Expression of osteopontin mRNA and protein was analyzed by RNase protection assay (RPA) and immunohistochemistry in secretory endometrium and decidua. Regulation of osteopontin expression in endometrial epithelial cell and stromal cells was analyzed by incubation with 17beta-estrogen, progesterone, IL-1beta, IL-6, and LIF and by incubation with cell culture supernatants of decidual natural killer cells. Furthermore, osteopontin expression was studied in stromal cells, decidualized in vitro.


METHODS
mRNA and protein expression and regulation of endometrial stromal osteopontin.


RESULTS
Osteopontin mRNA and protein are expressed at increasing concentrations in human secretory endometrium and in decidua. High concentrations in total decidua were due to high osteopontin concentrations in decidualized stromal cells. Osteopontin mRNA and protein expression was not regulated by incubation of endometrial epithelial and stromal cells with steroids, cytokines, and natural killer cell supernatant for 6 and 24 hours. In contrast, decidualization of stromal cells for 7, 14, and 21 days resulted in significant up-regulation of osteopontin mRNA and protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Osteopontin is expressed at high concentrations in secretory endometrium in epithelial cells and in decidua in stromal cells. Decidual stromal expression of osteopontin is up-regulated by decidualization.
von Wolff
Michael
M
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Women's University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Vossstrasse 9, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany. michael.von.wolff@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Bohlmann
Michael K
MK
Fiedler
Christiane
C
Ursel
Stefanie
S
Strowitzki
Thomas
T
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D053495:Osteopontin; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C506895:SPP1 protein, human; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D013256:Steroids; D053495:Osteopontin