Roles of p38 and c-jun in the differentiation, proliferation and immortalization of normal human endometrial cells.
BACKGROUND
It has been reported that p38 and c-jun operate as mediators of cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, by studying the roles of c-jun and p38 in the proliferation and differentiation of normal human endometrial cells, we can better understand the mechanism of these processes in endometrial cells.


METHODS
Separation of glandular and stromal components was based on a modification of the work of Satyaswaroop et al. To confirm the purification of the endometrial cells and the expression of the transfected SV40 large T antigen, immunocytochemical analysis and western blot analysis were performed.


RESULTS
There were polygonal shapes in the stromal cells in the early passage 1-2, while the aged endometrial stromal cells were spindle shaped. To investigate passage-dependent molecular events in endometrial cells, the c-jun and pp38 levels were examined. Both c-jun and pp38 were significantly reduced with cellular aging and passages. To understand the role of c-jun, endometrial stromal cells were treated with SP600125 which is a specific inhibitor of c-jun. SP600125 induced morphological changes of young endometrial stromal cells with polygonal shape; the young cells appeared as aged endometrial cells with spindle shape. In addition, an immortalized endometrial cell line was established and shown to express activated c-jun, similiar to normal endometrial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the modulation of p38 and c-jun may play an important role in the differentiation and proliferation of human endometrial cells.
Hong
In-Sun
IS
Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tumor Biology, Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
Kim
Seok-Hyun
SH
Koong
Mi Kyoung
MK
Jun
Jin Hyun
JH
Kim
Sung-Hoon
SH
Lee
Yong-Soon
YS
Kang
Kyung-Sun
KS
D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases