Progesterone protects fetal chorion and maternal decidua cells from calcium-induced death.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether progesterone exerts a protective effect in chorion and decidua cells when exposed to calcimycin.


METHODS
Fetal membrane samples were collected from term elective repeat cesarean deliveries and chorion and decidua cells that are separated and cultured. Cells were pretreated with progesterone and exposed to calcimycin. Cell viability was determined, and percent cell viability was calculated.


RESULTS
Exposure to calcimycin resulted in a reduction of cell viability in both chorion and decidua cells in a dose-dependent fashion. In chorion and decidua cells, progesterone pretreatment followed by calcimycin increased cell viability compared with calcimycin treatment alone (chorion, 67%, vs controls, 24%; P < .001; decidua, 58%, vs controls, 35%; P < .001). The progesterone receptor antagonist, RTI 6413-49a, blocked the protective effect of progesterone in both chorion and decidua cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results suggest that progesterone may provide a protective effect in fetal membrane cells and that this effect may be mediated through the progesterone receptor.
Murtha
Amy P
AP
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
Feng
Liping
L
Yonish
Bryan
B
Leppert
Phyllis C
PC
Schomberg
David W
DW
D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002823:Chorion / Q000166:cytology*; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology*
D000001:Calcimycin; D011374:Progesterone