Retinoids, sex steroids and glucocorticoids regulate ectocervical cell envelope formation but not the level of the envelope precursor, involucrin

Abstract

Abstract In spite of extensive studyof the reproductive tract, little knowledge is available regarding the function of ectocervical epithelial (ECE) cells. In the presernt study we utilized a feeder layer of 3T3 cells to grow homogeneous cultures of human ectocervical epithelial cells and demonstrated the presence of the cornified envelope preceursor, involucrin. Treatment of these cultures with 1 n M Ro 136298, a synthetic analogue of tras-retinoci cid, suppresses envelope formation 6-fold with half-maximal suppression at 0.005-0.01 n M. Treatment with 1 μ M hydrocortisone elvates envelope production 2.5-fold withhalp-maximal suppressioin at 0.005-0.01 n M. Treatment with 1 μ hydrocortisone elvates envelope production 2.5-fold. Sex steroids also regulate desquamation: 10 n M. diethylistilbestrol, a synthetic estrogen, increases envelope levels 2- to 3-fold. while 300 n M progesterone reduces envelope production 2- to 3-fold. In spite of the retinoid-, glucocortiocid- and sex-steroid-stimulated changes in envelope production, the level of the envelope precursor, involucrin, remains constant. Our results suggest: (1) that, in vivo, ectocervical cell squame formation is regualted bu the combined direct action of estrogens, progestins, glyucocorticoids and retinoids; and (2) that envelope precursor, involucrin, remiains constant. Our results suggest: (1) that, in vivo ectocervical cell squame formation is regulated by tjhe combined direct action of estrogenes, progestins, glucocorticoids and retinoids; and (2) that enveloope formatipon is not regulated bychanges in in the cellular content of the envelope precursor, involucrin. We present a model summarizing the estrogen, progestin, glucocorticoid and retnoid effects on ectocervical epithelial cell function.