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Updated: May 30, 2026
Two Methods for Establishing Primary Human Endometrial Stromal Cells from Hysterectomy Specimens
Published on: May 23, 2014
Progestins inhibit estradiol-induced vascular endothelial growth factor and stromal cell-derived factor 1 in human
Hidetaka Okada1, Rika Okamoto, Tomoko Tsuzuki
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan. hokada@hirakata.kmu.ac.jp
Objective:
To investigate whether 17β-estradiol (E(2)) and progestins exert direct effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) in human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and thereby to clarify the regulatory function of these local angiogenic factors in the endometrium.
Design:
In vitro experiment.
Setting:
Research laboratory at Kansai Medical University.
Patient(S):
Fourteen patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign reasons.
Intervention(S):
ESCs were cultured with E(2) and/or various clinically relevant progestins (medroxyprogesterone acetate [MPA], norethisterone [NET], levonorgestrel [LNG], dienogest [DNG], and progesterone [P]).
Main Outcome Measure(S):
The mRNA levels and production of VEGF and SDF-1 were assessed by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively.
Result(S):
E(2) significantly induced the mRNA levels and protein production of VEGF and SDF-1 in ESCs. MPA could antagonize the E(2)-stimulated effects in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and this effect could be reversed by RU-486 (P receptor antagonist). All of the progestins (MPA, NET, LNG, and DNG; 10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/L) attenuated E(2)-induced VEGF and SDF-1 production, whereas P showed these inhibitory effects only when present in a high concentration (10(-7) mol/L).
Conclusion(S):
Progestins have inhibitory effects on E(2)-induced VEGF and SDF-1 in ESCs. These results may indicate a potential mechanism for action of the female sex steroids in the human endometrium that can be helpful for various clinical applications.
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