Expression of interleukin-18 receptor mRNA in the mouse endometrium.
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and a variety of cancers, and is expressed in mouse uteri. Our previous study suggested that IL-18 acts as a paracrine factor, regulating endometrial function. To elucidate the physiological roles of IL-18 in the mouse endometrium, the expression of the IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) alpha subunit was analyzed. IL-18Ralpha mRNA was expressed in several mouse organs in addition to the endometrium. In situ hybridization analysis using a biotin-labeled mouse IL-18Ralpha riboprobe demonstrated that IL-18Ralpha mRNA expression was detected in glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells around uterine glands, and myometrial cells in the mouse uterus, suggesting that these cells are targets for IL-18. The uterine IL-18Ralpha mRNA expression level changed with the estrous cycle. The uterine IL-18Ralpha mRNA levels of estrous mice were higher than those of diestrous mice. In addition, the IL-18Ralpha mRNA levels in uteri at 3 and 14 days after ovariectomy were higher than those at diestrus and decreased following treatment with estradiol-17beta or progesterone. These findings suggest that IL-18Ralpha gene expression is regulated by estrogen and progesterone and that the uterine IL-18 system is involved in the regulation of uterine functions in a paracrine manner.
Otsuki
Mariko
M
Department of Biology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Japan.
Kusumoto
Kenji
K
Murakami
Yousuke
Y
Kanayama
Munetoshi
M
Takeuchi
Sakae
S
Takahashi
Sumio
S
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053728:Interleukin-18 Receptor beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010052:Ovariectomy; D019899:Paracrine Communication / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012260:Ribonucleases
D020382:Interleukin-18; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053728:Interleukin-18 Receptor beta Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D012260:Ribonucleases