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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization
Published on: September 1, 2018
Progestin suppressed inflammation and cell viability of tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated endometriotic stromal
Giovanni Grandi1,2, Michael Mueller2,3, Nick Bersinger2,3
1Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Problem:
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease. Progestins are a first-line treatment for endometriosis via activation of pituitary progesterone receptors and suppression of systemic estrogen: a less than optimal treatment. Increasing evidence is beginning to show that progestins may also influence local endometriotic cells, which may contribute to their clinical efficacy.
Method Of Study:
Endometrial stromal cells (ESC) isolated from women with endometriosis were cultured with TNF-α to simulate an inflammatory environment. ESC were treated with the progestins, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), norethisterone acetate (NETA), or dienogest (DNG) and cytokine mRNA production, protein secretion, and cell viability measured.
Results:
DNG, NETA, and MPA suppressed the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 from ESC. DNG and NETA only reduced the TNF-α-stimulated mRNA production. All three progestins suppressed TNF-α-stimulated ESC proliferation.
Conclusion:
Progestins may influence endometriotic stromal cells altering the inflammatory microenvironment and their clinical efficacy.
