Modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and thymidine phosphorylase in normal human endometrial stromal cells.
OBJECTIVE
To study the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP), two angiogenic factors, in cultured endometrial stromal cells. The effects of steroids, E2, and P, the gonadotropin, hCG, and hypoxia were investigated.


METHODS
Quantitative experimental study.


METHODS
Academic medical department.


METHODS
Women undergoing hysterectomy for benign causes.


METHODS
Endometrial cells were collected from subjects and cultured.


METHODS
The secretion of VEGF in supernatant media and the numbers of cells expressing VEGF or TP.


RESULTS
Estradiol increased VEGF secretion and the number of cells that contained VEGF and TP, and those effects were inhibited by hCG. Human chorionic gonadotropin alone could increase number of cells that expressed VEGF and TP. Hypoxia increased both VEGF secretion and number of cells containing VEGF and TP. Progesterone had no observed effect on VEGF secretion or number of VEGF- or TP-containing cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Vascular endothelial growth factor and TP are present in stromal cells of normal endometrium, and E2 may interact with gonadotropins to regulate angiogenic compounds to modulate stromal functioning.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the New Zealand Centre for Reproductive Medicine, New Zealand.
Maysoon M
MM
Abbas
John J
JJ
Evans
Peter H
PH
Sykes
Peter S
PS
Benny
D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D013256:Steroids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase