Expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-6 receptors in human granulosa lutein cells

• Published in: Molecular human reproduction Vol. 4; no. 11; pp. 1071 - 1076
• Main Authors: KECK, C, RAJABI, Z, PFEIFER, K, BETTENDORF, H, BRANDSTETTER, T, BRECKWOLDT, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.11.1998
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Granulosa Cells - metabolism; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Interleukin-6 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-6 - genetics; Medical sciences; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Receptors, Interleukin-6 - biosynthesis; Receptors, Interleukin-6 - genetics; Sterility. Assisted procreation; Human; Induction; Pathogenesis; Toxicity; Cytokine; Assisted procreation; Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome; Gene expression; Ovulation; Female genital diseases; Interleukin 6; Ovary; Angiogenesis; Luteal cell; Female genital system; Corpus luteum; Female; Granulosa; Ovarian follicle; Biological receptor
• ISSN: 1360-9947; 1460-2407
• DOI: 10.1093/molehr/4.11.1071

Cytokines are important regulators of reproductive functions. Significant amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been detected in the serum and ascites of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). These findings suggest the involvement of IL-6 as a mediator in the pathogenesis of OHSS. This study was performed to analyse IL-6 and IL-6 receptor (IL-6-R) expression in human granulosa lutein cells (GC). GC were cultured after isolation from follicular fluid. IL-6 concentrations in follicular fluid and serum from individual patients and GC supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found detectable concentrations of IL-6 in serum and follicular fluid of all patients. Expression of IL-6 in GC was shown immunocytochemically. IL-6 mRNA was detected in GC by in-situ hybridization. Gene expression for IL-6 and IL-6-R in GC was demonstrated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. IL-6 significantly inhibited human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)-induced progesterone secretion of GC. The results of our study suggest that IL-6 is expressed in HGC and that this cytokine is able to modulate GC function via its specific receptor. This is the first report that describes the precence of IL-6-R in human granulosa lutein cells.