IL-15 regulation in human endometrial stromal cells

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2002-04, Vol.87 (4), p.1898-1901
• Main Authors: DUNN, Carolyn L, CRITCHLEY, Hilary O. D, KELLY, Rodney W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate - pharmacology; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cells, Cultured; Dinoprostone - pharmacology; Drug Combinations; Endometrium - drug effects; Endometrium - metabolism; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Humans; Interferon-gamma - metabolism; Interferon-gamma - pharmacology; Interleukin-15 - genetics; Interleukin-15 - metabolism; Mammalian male genital system; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate - pharmacology; Menstrual Cycle - physiology; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Progesterone Congeners; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Stromal Cells - drug effects; Stromal Cells - metabolism; Up-Regulation; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.87.4.1898

A greater knowledge of IL-5 regulation within human endometrium is important in understanding key reproductive events and uterine Natural Killer cell function. In the present study, expression of IL-15 mRNA was shown to be up-regulated by both PGE(2) and IFN-gamma in cultures of human endometrial stromal cells (ESC). Release of IL-15 protein was also shown to be under the control of PGE(2) and IFN-gamma using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IL-15. In addition, 8-Bromo cAMP was able to increase IL-15 release from ESCs (P < 0.005) implying the actions of PGE(2) may be via this second messenger. Addition of a progestin appeared to enhance these effects. Real-time quantitative PCR has demonstrated an up-regulation in IL-15 mRNA expression in the late secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (P < 0.005) and a progressive rise in IFN-gamma expression throughout the secretory phase and into first trimester decidua. These results suggest that IL-15 regulation in the human endometrium is complex and that hormonal control may be indirect.