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Published on: May 23, 2014
Downregulation of human endometrial IL-18 by exogenous ovarian steroids
Nathalie Lédée1, Sylvie Dubanchet, Raoul Lombroso
1Université Versailles- St Quentin en Yvelines, Centre Hospitalier de Poissy- St Germain en Laye, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, France. ledeenathalie@aol.com
Problem:
To evaluate the influence of ovarian steroids on IL-18, IL-15 and angiopoietin-2 mRNA expression in the endometrium in the mid luteal phase.
Method Of Study:
We quantified IL-18/GAPDH, IL-18 BP/GAPDH, IL-15/GAPDH and angiopoietin-2/GAPDH in the endometrium by quantitative polymerase chain reaction on day 21 of the cycle. We first compared cytokines expression over two natural cycles (n = 15) then between natural and oestrogen-progestin replacement treatment (n = 18).
Results:
Endometrial IL-18, IL-18 BP, IL-15 and angiopoietin-2 mRNA expression did not change over two natural cycles. Addition of exogenous hormones significantly decreased IL-18 and IL-18 BP mRNA expression but not influence IL-15 or angiopoietin-2 ratios. This was also observed with immunohistochemistry.
Conclusion:
Exogenous oestro-progestative hormones influence endometrial IL-18 system expression involved in angiogenesis and in the uterine natural killer (uNK) cell activation pathway during the implantation process.
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