Expression of inhibins in the endometrial carcinoma cell line RL-95-2 after stimulation with cortisol and estradiol.
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.
Vogl
Julia
J
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 80337 München, Germany.
Höing
Anna
A
Schulze
Sandra
S
Kuhn
Christina
C
Wiest
Irmi
I
Shabani
Naim
N
Jeschke
Udo
U
Mylonas
Ioannis
I
Friese
Klaus
K
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*
D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D006854:Hydrocortisone