[Effect of estrogen and progesterone on the expression of VEGF mRNA in epithelial ovarian cancer cell line].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E(2)) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on the expression of VEGF mRNA in epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell line in vitro.


METHODS
Human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 cells were exposed to 17beta-E(2) (10(-12) approximately 10(-8) mol/L) or MPA (10(-9) approximately 10(-5) mol/L), the expression level of VEGF mRNA was determined by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
The PCR products of VEGF were mainly 606 bp and 474 bp. The expression of VEGF mRNA in the 17beta-E(2)-treated cells was significantly higher than in the untreated control (P < 0.05), the expression level of VEGF mRNA increased with the increase in 17beta-E(2) concentration. The expression of VEGF mRNA in SKOV3 cells treated with MPA (10(-9) approximately 10(-5) mol/L) was significantly lower than in the untreated control (P < 0.05), especially that of 606 bp.


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen can up-regulate, while progesterone can down-regulate mRNA expression of VEGF. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism.
Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.
Hua
H
Li
Hong
H
Sun
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D004958:Estradiol; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate