Effects of interferon-gamma on secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by endometrial stromal cells.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify the physiological effects of interferon (IFN)-gamma on secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by endometrial stromal (ES) cells. ES cells were obtained from human uterine endometrium by enzymic digestion and filtration. The effects of IFN-gamma on production of VEGF by ES cells were examined by analyzing VEGF mRNA expression with Northern blotting analysis and by assaying VEGF protein. IFN-gamma inhibited VEGF mRNA and protein expression by ES cells in a dose-dependent manner. In ES cells treated with IFN-gamma, VEGF production was not significant until 6 hr of incubation and was significantly affected after 6 hr of incubation, but decreased significantly after 12 to 48 hr. IFN-gamma also suppressed VEGF mRNA expression by ES cells. ES cells produce VEGF, which may contribute to endometrial neovascularization and proliferation. IFN-gamma may play an important role in regulating VEGF production by ES cells.