Tumor necrosis factor-alpha activates nuclear factor-kappaB but does not regulate progesterone production in cultured human granulosa luteal cells.
BACKGROUND
The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in granulosa luteal cell function and steroidogenesis is still controversial. Our aim was to examine the steroidogenic response, together with the simultaneous expression and activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), in cultured human granulosa luteal cells (GLCs) following administration of TNF-alpha.


METHODS
This prospective controlled study was conducted in the Human Reproduction Division at the Institute of Maternal and Child Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile and the San Borja Arriarán Hospital, National Health Service, Santiago, Chile. GLCs were obtained from aspirates of follicles from women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thirty-two women undergoing IVF for tubal-factor and/or male-factor infertility participated in this study. Protein levels of NF-kappaB, the NF-kappaB inhibitor IkappaBalpha and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) were determined by Western blot and localization of NF-kappaB was studied by indirect immunofluorescence. Progesterone production was determined by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
TNF-alpha did not affect the expression of StAR protein or the synthesis of progesterone. NF-kappaB was expressed in the GLCs and activated by TNF-alpha, resulting in degradation of IkappaBalpha and mobilization of the p65 NF-kappaB subunit into the nucleus.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that TNF-alpha did not modulate steroidogenesis in cultured human GLCs. However, NF-kappaB was activated by TNF-alpha. Therefore the activation of NF-kappaB via the TNF-alpha pathway is likely associated with other preovulatory granulosa cell processes important for human ovarian function.
Gonzalez-Navarrete
Flor
F
Institute of Maternal and Child Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile.
Eisner
Veronica
V
Morales
Priscilla
P
Castro
Olga
O
Pommer
Ricardo
R
Quiroga
Clara
C
Lavandero
Sergio
S
Devoto
Luigi
L
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; C000606204:NFKBIA protein, human; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; D011374:Progesterone