Effect of activin A on tumor necrosis factor-alpha/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 pathway in endometrial stromal cells

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2005 Dec 1;123(2):218-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2005.03.017.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE[S]: Activin A and inhibin A are growth factors expressed by human endometrium involved in the control of endometrial functions. In the present study we investigated the effects of activin A and inhibin A in modulating the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha/intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 system in cultured human endometrial stromal cells.

Study design: Endometrial samples were obtained from 34 reproductive age women undergoing laparoscopy for benign ovarian cysts or infertility. Endometrial stromal cells were cultured and soluble ICAM-1 and TNF-alpha were measured in cell-free supernatants following treatment with or without activin A or inhibin A. Cell surface ICAM-1 was assayed by flow cytometry by staining endometrial cells with specific monoclonal antibodies.

Results: Activin A and inhibin A did not influence either the expression of cell surface ICAM-1 or soluble ICAM-1 shedding by cultured endometrial cells. On the other hand, TNF-alpha secretion significantly increased in presence of activin A but not of inhibin A.

Conclusions: Since TNF-alpha modulates several endometrial processes such as menstruation, proliferation, apoptosis, implantation and decidualization, an effect of activin A in the physiological control of endometrium is further supported by the present data.

MeSH terms

  • Activins / pharmacology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endometrium / cytology
  • Endometrium / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Inhibin-beta Subunits / pharmacology*
  • Inhibins / pharmacology
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-1 / pharmacology
  • Laparoscopy
  • Middle Aged
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Stromal Cells / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interleukin-1
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • activin A
  • inhibin A
  • Activins
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Inhibins
  • Inhibin-beta Subunits