Differential effects of human chorionic gonadotropin and decidualization on insulin-like growth factors-I and -II in human endometrial stromal cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I and -II in human endometrial stromal cells during decidualization in vitro and under the influence of hCG.


METHODS
In vitro experiment.


METHODS
Research laboratory at a medical university center.


METHODS
Premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for benign reasons.


METHODS
Endometrial stromal cells from hysterectomy specimens were isolated and incubated with 17beta-E(2), P, and recombinant hCG.


METHODS
Insulin-like growth factor-I and -II messenger RNA and protein were measured by semiquantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and ELISA.


RESULTS
During decidualization in vitro there was a significant increase of IGF-I level between day 0 and 3, followed by a decrease from day 6 to 9. Insulin-like growth factor-II level, however, was significantly reduced during all days of decidualization compared with day 0. In decidualized endometrial stromal cells, hCG decreased IGF-I in a dose-dependent manner without influencing IGF-II.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial IGF-I and -II are differentially regulated during decidualization in vitro, suggesting different roles during the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells. Human chorionic gonadotropin as one of the first hormonal signals of the embryo selectively reduces IGF-I and may therefore contribute to the modulation of endometrial receptivity and differentiation during the process of early implantation.
Fluhr
Herbert
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Carli
Sabine
S
Deperschmidt
Margarita
M
Wallwiener
Diethelm
D
Zygmunt
Marek
M
Licht
Peter
P
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II