Expression of ADAMTS-5/implantin in human decidual stromal cells: regulatory effects of cytokines

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 63 - 74
• Main Authors: Zhu, H., Leung, P.C.K., MacCalman, C.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.01.2007; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: ADAM Proteins - biosynthesis; ADAMTS5 Protein; Biological and medical sciences; Decidua - cytology; Decidua - metabolism; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Interleukin-1beta - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Menstrual Cycle; Pregnancy; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Stromal Cells - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - pharmacology; cytokines; ADAMTS-5; decidua; human; implantin; Pregnancy; Human; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Uterus; Female genital system; Cytokine; ADAMTS-5/cytokines/decidua/human/implantin; Stromal cell; Decidua
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/del356

The restricted expression of ADAMTS-5 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin repeats-5) to the maternal–fetal interface in mice has led to this novel metalloproteinase being assigned the trivial name ‘implantin’. METHODS: As a first step in determining whether ADAMTS-5 also contributes to the implantation process in humans, we have examined the spatiotemporal expression of this ADAMTS subtype in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy by immunohistochemical analysis. A quantitative competitive PCR (QC-PCR) strategy and western blotting were subsequently used to determine whether interleukin (IL)-1β and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, two cytokines involved in the formation of the maternal–fetal interface, were capable of regulating ADAMTS-5 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in primary cultures of stromal cells isolated from first trimester decidual tissues. RESULTS: ADAMTS-5 expression in the stroma of the human endometrium correlates with decidualization of this cellular compartment in vivo. IL-1β was found to increase (P < 0.05) whereas TGF-β1 decreased (P < 0.05) ADAMTS-5 mRNA and protein levels in decidual stromal cell cultures in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. These regulatory effects were attenuated by function-perturbing antibodies directed against either cytokine. CONCLUSIONS: ADAMTS-5 expression is restricted to decidualized stromal cells of the human endometrium in vivo and is subject to regulation by cytokines in vitro.