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Research Article |
Yale University School of Medicine,2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8063
Yeditepe University,3 Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 34752 Istanbul, Turkey
ABSTRACT
Human endometrium is a dynamic tissue under the influence of numerous hormones, growth factors, and cytokines interacting to maintain a balance of cellular growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. We have previously demonstrated that several factors including interleukin-8, extracellular matrix, and steroid hormones modulate FASLG, one of the apoptotic molecules, in human endometrium. Chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), a monocyte chemoattractant and activating factor, is a cytokine involved in endometrial function. CCL2 is elevated in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. We hypothesize that increased levels of CCL2 in the endometriotic environment may upregulate FASLG expression in human endometrial stromal cells and induce a local immunotolerance in endometriosis. To test our hypothesis, we studied the in vitro regulation of FASLG expression and apoptosis by CCL2 in endometrial stromal cells. Western blot analysis revealed that CCL2 upregulated FASLG protein expression in cultured endometrial stromal cells. Based on semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis, CCL2 did not alter either FAS or FASLG mRNA expression in endometrial stromal cells. Immunocytochemistry results from the same cells treated with CCL2 demonstrated upregulation of FASLG protein expression. CCL2 did not change rate of apoptosis in endometrial stromal cells as evaluated by TUNEL assay. However, an increased apoptotic rate was detected in Jurkat (T lymphocytes) cells cocultured with endometrial stromal cells previously treated with CCL2. We speculate that increased FASLG expression by CCL2 may induce apoptosis of T lymphocytes and thus produce an immunotolerant environment for the development of ectopic implants.
apoptosis, CCL2, cytokines, endometriosis, endometrium, FASLG, female reproductive tract, gene regulation, immunology
1 Correspondence: Aydin Arici, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8063. FAX: 203 7857134; aydin.arici{at}yale.edu
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