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Ovarian steroids modulate human monocyte tumor necrosis factor alpha messenger ribonucleic acid levels in cultured
R A Loy1, J A Loukides, M L Polan
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Objective:
To determine whether tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels in human peripheral monocytes are regulated by ovarian steroids.
Design:
Human granulosa-luteal cells and cultured, activated human peripheral monocytes were subjected to Northern blot analysis for TNF-alpha mRNA.
Setting:
Academic research laboratory.
Patients:
Two human female volunteers of reproductive age and in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Results:
Human granulosa-luteal cells produce TNF-alpha mRNA. Physiological levels of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) modulate TNF-alpha mRNA from peripheral blood monocytes with an apparent inverse relationship between steroid concentration and TNF-alpha message.
Conclusions:
Progesterone and E2 at physiological concentrations regulate TNF-alpha mRNA production. The P antagonist mifepristone (RU486) and the E2 agonist/antagonist tamoxifen modulate total TNF-alpha mRNA levels, suggesting involvement of specific receptors.