Effect of activin A on tumor necrosis factor-alpha/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 pathway in endometrial stromal cells.
OBJECTIVE[S]: Activin A and inhibin A are growth factors expressed by human endometrium involved in the control of endometrial functions. In the present study we investigated the effects of activin A and inhibin A in modulating the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha/intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 system in cultured human endometrial stromal cells.


METHODS
Endometrial samples were obtained from 34 reproductive age women undergoing laparoscopy for benign ovarian cysts or infertility. Endometrial stromal cells were cultured and soluble ICAM-1 and TNF-alpha were measured in cell-free supernatants following treatment with or without activin A or inhibin A. Cell surface ICAM-1 was assayed by flow cytometry by staining endometrial cells with specific monoclonal antibodies.


RESULTS
Activin A and inhibin A did not influence either the expression of cell surface ICAM-1 or soluble ICAM-1 shedding by cultured endometrial cells. On the other hand, TNF-alpha secretion significantly increased in presence of activin A but not of inhibin A.


CONCLUSIONS
Since TNF-alpha modulates several endometrial processes such as menstruation, proliferation, apoptosis, implantation and decidualization, an effect of activin A in the physiological control of endometrium is further supported by the present data.
Mangioni
Silvia
S
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Clinica L. Mangiagalli, University of Milano, Milano, Italy.
Viganò
Paola
P
Florio
Pasquale
P
Borghi
Orietta
O
Vignali
Michele
M
Petraglia
Felice
F
Di Blasio
Anna Maria
AM
D028341:Activins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000494:pharmacology; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C422405:activin A; C422362:inhibin A; D028341:Activins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007265:Inhibins; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits