Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1-induced human endometrial stromal cell decidualization through extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Smad activation in vitro: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma acts as a negative regulator of TGF-beta1.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Smad pathway and the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma in cultured human endometrial stromal cells.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Infertility center of a tertiary university hospital. MATERIAL(S): Human endometrial tissues obtained by hysterectomy from patients with conditions other than endometrial diseases.


METHODS
Endometrial stromal cells were cultured under normal laboratory conditions. TGF-beta1, rosiglitazone (PPARgamma agonist), and PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) were added to endometrial stromal cell culture according to experimental purposes.


METHODS
Cell count, PRL expression, Smad and ERK phosphorylation, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release.


RESULTS
TGF-beta1 inhibited cellular proliferation and induced the expressions of COX-2, PGE(2), and PRL of cultured human endometrial stromal cells. These effects may be mediated by Smad and ERK phosphorylation. Treatment with rosiglitazone, a PPARgamma agonist, reversed the TGF-beta1 effect by antagonizing the activation of ERK and Smad that was induced by TGF-beta1.


CONCLUSIONS
PPARgamma plays a negative role by directly acting on Smad and ERK phosphorylation in human endometrial cell decidualization that is induced by TGF-beta1 in vitro.
Chang
Hye Jin
HJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Lee
Jae Hoon
JH
Hwang
Kyung Joo
KJ
Kim
Mi Ran
MR
Chang
Ki Hong
KH
Park
Dong Wook
DW
Min
Churl K
CK
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D047495:PPAR gamma; D051785:Smad Proteins; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases