Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis and release by human luteal cells in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is essential for normal luteal development and function, but little is still known about the regulation of its production by human midluteal phase luteal cells.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or local factors, including chemical hypoxia, IGF-I and IGF-II, prostaglandin (PG)E(2), and PGF(2alpha) prevail in modulating VEGF mRNA and protein production in human midluteal phase luteal cells. The effect of progesterone (P) on luteal VEGF mRNA expression and protein secretion was also evaluated. Finally, we investigated whether VEGF could directly affect luteal P secretion.


METHODS
In human midluteal phase luteal cells, VEGF mRNA expression was evaluated by semiquantitative RT-PCR, whereas VEGF and P release was evaluated by ELISA and RIA, respectively.


RESULTS
hCG was unable to significantly affect luteal VEGF mRNA and protein synthesis, which in turn was significantly increased by both chemical hypoxia and IGFs. Conversely, VEGF mRNA and protein production was reduced by PGs and P. Finally, VEGF did not affect P luteal secretion.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that local ovarian factors, rather than hCG, predominate in regulating VEGF mRNA and protein production by human midluteal phase luteal cells. For VEGF, a lack of a direct luteal steroidogenic effect was also demonstrated.
Tropea
Anna
A
Cattedra di Fisiopatologia della Riproduzione Umana, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italia.
Miceli
Fiorella
F
Minici
Francesca
F
Tiberi
Federica
F
Orlando
Mariateresa
M
Gangale
Maria Francesca
MF
Romani
Federica
F
Catino
Stefania
S
Mancuso
Salvatore
S
Navarra
Pierluigi
P
Lanzone
Antonio
A
Apa
Rosanna
R
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D011374:Progesterone; D015232:Dinoprostone