Induction of surfactant protein A expression by cortisol facilitates prostaglandin synthesis in human chorionic
Kang Sun1, Diane Brockman, Begona Campos
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA. sunkang2000@yahoo.com
Context:
Surfactant protein A (SP-A) may be an important link between the maturation of fetal organs and the initiation of parturition. However, the local expression of SP-A and the effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis in human fetal membranes have not been resolved.
Objective:
Our objective was to examine SP-A expression and the effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis in human fetal membranes.
Design:
SP-A expression was examined with immunohistochemistry and PCR. The effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis was investigated in cultured human chorionic trophoblasts.
Patients:
Patients were normal-term pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean sections.
Results:
Both SP-A protein and mRNA were present in amnion epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and chorionic trophoblasts. Cortisol (10(-7) and 10(-6) M, 24 h) induced SP-A expression in cultured chorionic trophoblasts, which could be blocked by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486. Treatment of chorionic trophoblasts with SP-A (10-100 microg/ml, 24 h) caused a dose-dependent increase of prostaglandin E2 release and an induction of cyclooxygenase type 2 but not cytosolic phospholipase A2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase expression.
Conclusions:
SP-A can be synthesized locally in human fetal membranes, which can be induced by glucocorticoids. SP-A appeared to induce prostaglandin E2 synthesis in chorionic trophoblasts via induction of cyclooxygenase type 2 expression.
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