Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in human endometrial stromal and epithelial cells is regulated by interferon-gamma but not iron.
OBJECTIVE
Endometrial cells are chronically exposed to iron due to cyclic menstrual bleeding. Iron induces expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate iron incorporation by human endometrial cells and to test whether iron may stimulate expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1.


METHODS
Endometrial stromal and epithelial cells were cultured in medium alone or supplemented with INF-gamma or transferrin (Tf). Iron incorporation by cells was quantified by densitometry of ferritin immunostaining. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were evaluated at the transcriptional level by real-time RT-PCR. Membrane-bound and soluble protein levels of ICAM-1 were measured by quantitative immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively.


RESULTS
Tf induced a significant increase in ferritin immunostaining in both endometrial cell types. Endometrial cells treated with INF-gamma expressed more ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 than untreated cells. By contrast, Tf treatment did not alter ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in cultured endometrial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial cells are able to incorporate iron from Tf and to metabolize it to ferritin. Iron, unlike interferon-gamma, does not appear to be involved in the regulation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in cultured endometrial cells.
Defrère
Sylvie
S
Department of Gynecology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Donnez
Jacques
J
Moulin
Pierre
P
Befahy
Philippe
P
Gonzalez-Ramos
Reinaldo
R
Lousse
Jean-Christophe
JC
Van Langendonckt
Anne
A
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D007501:Iron