Cultured human endometrial epithelial cells produce thymus and activation-regulated chemokine with stimulation of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines on the production of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) by cultured endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) and endometrial stromal cells (ESC).


METHODS
The effects of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-beta) on the production of TARC and MDC were investigated.


METHODS
Research laboratory at a medical school.


METHODS
Fifteen endometrial specimens in the mid-late secretory phase were used.


METHODS
The EEC and ESC were incubated for 24 hours with recombinant human IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-gamma, and TNF-beta.


METHODS
The concentrations of TARC and MDC in the culture media were measured using ELISA.


RESULTS
Small amounts of TARC were detected in the culture medium of nonstimulated EEC. The increase in levels of TARC in the culture media of EEC paralleled the addition of increasing amounts of IL-4 and IL-13. Other cytokines, however, did not affect the production of TARC by EEC. Production of TARC by ESC was not detected under either nonstimulated or cytokine-stimulated conditions. Production of MDC was not detected in the culture media of EEC and ESC.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that IL-4 and IL-13 secreted from the embryo during the implantation period may selectively up-regulate the production of TARC by EEC. The controlled production of TARC in the endometrium may contribute to the modulation of the immune reaction by the regulation of Th2 lymphocyte trafficking and functions.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Japan. nasu@med.oita-u.ac.jp
Kaei
K
Nasu
Bing
B
Sun
Masakazu
M
Nishida
Junichiro
J
Fukuda
Hisashi
H
Narahara
Isao
I
Miyakawa
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054414:Chemokine CCL17; D054422:Chemokine CCL22; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
C106230:CCL17 protein, human; C515482:CCL22 protein, human; D054414:Chemokine CCL17; D054422:Chemokine CCL22; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D003470:Culture Media; D018793:Interleukin-13; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4