title: Expression of prostaglandin metabolising enzymes COX-2 and 15-PGDH and VDR in human granulosa cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prostaglandins (PGs) within the periovulatory follicle are essential for various female reproductive functions such as follicular development and maturation. In animal models, granulosa cells express the PG synthesizing enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the PG inactivating enzyme 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). First references suggest a correlation between vitamin D and prostaglandin metabolism through the impact of 1,25(OH)2D3 (calcitriol) on the expression of COX-2 and 15-PGDH.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of COX-2, 15-PGDH and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in human granulosa cells (COV434, hGC and HGL5), which were originally isolated from different stages of follicular maturation, was determined by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive correlation of COX-2 and VDR protein was found in the COV434 and HGL5 cells and an inverse correlation of 15-PGDH and VDR protein levels in all the investigated cell types.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There may be a link between VDR, associated target genes and prostaglandin metabolism in human follicular maturation and luteolysis.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, 23538 Luebeck, Germany. marc.thill@uk-sh.de
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Thill
authors: Steffi
authors: S
authors: Becker
authors: Dorothea
authors: D
authors: Fischer
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Cordes
authors: Amadeus
authors: A
authors: Hornemann
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Diedrich
authors: Darius
authors: D
authors: Salehin
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Friedrich
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006911:Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D006911:Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases; C035859:15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2