Expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and its mRNA in uterine endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

Abstract

Steroid hormones, e.g. progesterone and oestradiol, may be responsible for the production and expression of a variety of angiogenic growth factors present in endometrial tissue. The expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) in neovascularization after regression of the microvessels in the endometrium was examined. PD-ECGF protein expression in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle was determined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Transcription levels of PD-ECGF were measured by a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Southern blot technique. The data show that levels of PD-ECGF protein and mRNA in uterine endometrium did not alter during the proliferative phase prior to ovulation. During the midcycle phase a sharp transient fall in mRNA levels accompanied by a gradual drop in protein levels was observed. After ovulation transcription of PD-ECGF recovered with a sharp increase in mRNA levels which persisted during the ovulatory phase. PD-ECGF protein levels were temporarily low after ovulation, but increased remarkably through the late secretory phase. PD-ECGF expression in the endometrium seems to be inversely correlated with oestradiol concentrations during the menstrual cycle.