Regulation by epidermal growth factor of prostaglandin production and cyclooxygenase activity in sensitized rat endometrial stromal cells in vitro

• Published in: Journal of reproduction & fertility Vol. 104; no. 1; pp. 57 - 62
• Main Authors: Bany, B M, Kennedy, T G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Society for Reproduction and Fertility 01.05.1995
• Subjects: Amanitins - pharmacology; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Cycloheximide - pharmacology; Dexamethasone - pharmacology; Dinoprost - analogs & derivatives; Dinoprost - metabolism; Dinoprostone - metabolism; Endometrium - metabolism; Epidermal Growth Factor - pharmacology; Female; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - metabolism; Prostaglandins - biosynthesis; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Stimulation, Chemical; Time Factors; Transcription, Genetic - drug effects
• DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.1040057
• ISSN: 1470-1626; 0022-4251

The effect of epidermal growth factor on prostaglandin production and cyclooxygenase activity in endometrial stromal cells isolated from the uteri of ovariectomized rats sensitized for the decidual cell reaction was examined. Treatment with epidermal growth factor (40 ng ml −1 ) for 24 h caused approximately 6.9-, 3.4-, and 4.1-fold increases in prostaglandin E 2 , prostaglandin F 2α and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F 2α accumulation in the media of cultured cells. The increase in prostaglandin E 2 accumulation induced by epidermal growth factor was inhibited by α-amanitin (2 μg ml −1 ), cycloheximide (0.5 μg ml −1 ) and dexamethasone (5 μmol l −1 ). Epidermal growth factor increased cyclooxygenase activity in the stromal cells in a time-dependent fashion and this increase in activity was also inhibited by α-amanitin, cycloheximide and dexamethasone. These results provide evidence that epidermal growth factor stimulates prostaglandin production in rat endometrial stromal cells from uteri sensitized for the decidual cell reaction through a mechanism that involves an increase in cyclooxygenase activity.