title: Expression of inhibins in the endometrial carcinoma cell line RL-95-2 after stimulation with cortisol and estradiol.
abstract: Inhibins (INH) are dimeric glycoproteins composed of an alpha-subunit (INH-alpha) and one of two possible beta-subunits (INH-betaA or -betaB), with substantial roles in human reproduction and in endocrine-responsive tumours. The aim of the present study was the determination of the frequency and tissue distribution patterns of the inhibin/activin subunits in endometrial carcinoma cells of the cell line RL-95-2 after stimulation with estradiol and cortisol compared to unstimulated controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cells of the endometrial carcinoma cell line RL-95-2 were grown on quadriperm tissue slides and incubated with different concentrations (0.1 and 0.01 micromol/ml) of estradiol or cortisol. Expression of INH-alpha, betaA and betaB was analysed by immunocytochemistry with specific monoclonal antibodies directed against the inhibin subunits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of INH-alpha and -betaB was higher in cortisol-stimulated RL-95-2 cells, whereas INH-betaA expression was lower. In contrast to these, INH-betaB expression was increased by estradiol while INH-alpha and -betaA were unchanged under estradiol treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of INH-subunits in RL-95-2 cells was described. Cortisol and estradiol showed an influence on INH expression. The RL-95-2 cell line could act as a useful model for the investigation of INH regulation, particularly for endometrial cancer.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 80337 München, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vogl
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Höing
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Irmi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wiest
authors.forename: Naim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shabani
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jeschke
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mylonas
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friese
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007265:Inhibins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D006854:Hydrocortisone