Interleukin-13 stimulates the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 by human oviductal epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of interleukin (IL)-13, a Th2 cytokine, on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) in human oviductal cells in vitro.


METHODS
Human oviductal epithelial cells (OECs) were isolated from five premenopausal patients. The secretion of VEGF(165) and sFlt-1 by cultured OECs in response to IL-13 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The secretion of VEGF(165) and sFlt-1 was detected in cultured OECs under untreated conditions. IL-13 enhanced the secretion of VEGF(165) and sFlt-1 by OECs in a dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
The present findings suggest that IL-13 is a regulatory factor of VEGF and sFlt-1 production in the human fallopian tubes. IL-13 in the local environment may stimulate oviductal vascular permeability by inducing the production of VEGF by oviductal cells. The modulation of VEGF secretion by IL-13 secreted by the peri-implantation embryo may contribute to the normal and pathological processes of human reproduction during the peri-implantation period.
Itoh
Hiroko
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasama-machi, Yufu-shi, Oita 879-5593, Japan.
Nasu
Kaei
K
Yuge
Akitoshi
A
Kawano
Yasushi
Y
Yoshimatsu
Jun
J
Narahara
Hisashi
H
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D018793:Interleukin-13; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1