Regulated Expression of Prostaglandin E2 Receptors EP2 and EP4 in Human Ovarian Granulosa-Luteal Cells

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2001-04, Vol.86 (4), p.1765-1765
• Main Authors: Narko, Kirsi, Saukkonen, Kirsi, Ketola, Ilkka, Bützow, Ralf, Heikinheimo, Markku, Ristimäki, Ari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Mammalian female genital system; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jcem.86.4.7535

Prostaglandins (PGs) have been implicated in regulation of ovarian function. We have previously shown that the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and the receptor for PGF2α are expressed in periovulatory human granulosa cells and upregulated by gonadotropins and cytokines in cultured human ovarian granulosa-luteal (GL) cells. We now show that transcripts for PGE2 receptor subtypes EP2 and EP4 are expressed in freshly isolated human granulosa cells and in mouse ovaries as detected by Northern blot analysis. However, EP2 and EP4 receptor mRNA levels were low or nondetectable in cultured human GL cells suggesting that these transcripts may be under hormonal and/or cytokine regulation in the ovaries in vivo. Indeed, the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) stimulated expression of EP2 and EP4 transcripts in concentration- and time-dependent manner in the GL cells. Furthermore, the transcript for EP2 receptor was localized in the corpus luteum of the mouse ovary by in situ hybridization, and EP2 protein was expressed in human corpus luteum as detected by immunohistochemistry. Our data suggest that IL-1β induces expression of EP2 and EP4 receptors in human GL cells, and that EP2 receptor is expressed in both human and murine luteal glands.