title: Interleukin-8 stimulates progesterone production via the MEK pathway in ovarian theca cells.
abstract: Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a chemoattractant associated with ovulation in the mammalian ovary. This chemokine is also involved in the recruitment and activation of neutrophils. Using bovine tissue, we examined the possible role of IL-8 in steroid production by theca cells of the large ovarian follicles. IL-8 promoted progesterone production and stimulated StAR expression in cultured theca cells. The inhibitor of p38 did not disturb the P4 production and StAR expression in IL-8-treated theca cells. On the other hand, the inhibitor of MEK disturbed the P4 production and expression of StAR in theca cells treated with IL-8. These results suggest that IL-8 is associated with progesterone production in bovine theca cells via the MEK pathway.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-machi, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan. shimizut@obihiro.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Eri
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.forename: Fumie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magata
authors.forename: Chiaki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; D007093:Imidazoles; D016209:Interleukin-8; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011725:Pyridines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D011374:Progesterone; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; C093642:SB 203580; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one