Vascular endothelial growth factor in primate endometrium is regulated by oestrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor ligands in vivo

We investigated hormonal regulation of endometrial angiogenesis in menstruating primates. This study was designed to demonstrate: (i) that cell-specific vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and expression in monkey endometrium are regulated by steroid receptor ligands; and (ii) mifep...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 1997-06, Vol.12 (6), p.1280-1292
Main Authors: Greb, R R, Heikinheimo, O, Williams, R F, Hodgen, G D, Goodman, A L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
DNA Primers - genetics
Endometrium - blood supply
Endometrium - drug effects
Endometrium - metabolism
Endothelial Growth Factors - biosynthesis
Endothelial Growth Factors - genetics
Estradiol - blood
Estradiol - pharmacology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gene Expression - drug effects
Hormone metabolism and regulation
Immunohistochemistry
Levonorgestrel - pharmacology
Ligands
Lymphokines - biosynthesis
Lymphokines - genetics
Macaca fascicularis
Mammalian female genital system
Menstrual Cycle - metabolism
Mifepristone - pharmacology
Neovascularization, Physiologic
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Progesterone - blood
Progesterone - pharmacology
Progesterone Congeners - pharmacology
Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism
Receptors, Progesterone - antagonists & inhibitors
Receptors, Progesterone - metabolism
RNA Splicing
RNA, Messenger - genetics
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Vertebrates: reproduction
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We investigated hormonal regulation of endometrial angiogenesis in menstruating primates. This study was designed to demonstrate: (i) that cell-specific vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and expression in monkey endometrium are regulated by steroid receptor ligands; and (ii) mifepristone (RU 486) alters VEGF production even in the absence of a progestin agonist. Endometrial VEGF production was compared by computer-assisted immunohistochemical analysis during induced hypoestrogenism and after oestradiol, progestin, or antiprogestin (mifepristone) treatment. VEGF gene expression was estimated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in endometrial samples from castrate cynomolgus monkeys, from intact monkeys in the luteal phase, and from monkeys treated for 20 days with levonorgestrel (LNG) or mifepristone. VEGF staining intensities in glandular epithelium and VEGF mRNA expression were highest in hypoestrogenic monkeys. Progestin treatment induced intense VEGF staining in the stroma. Gene expression of VEGF-189, but not other isoforms, was higher in progesterone- and progestin (LNG)-exposed endometria compared to mifepristone-exposed endometria or endometria from anovulatory cycles (P < 0.04). Mifepristone abolished VEGF staining in glandular epithelium almost completely. We conclude that VEGF protein and VEGF mRNA expression levels in primate endometrium depend on the steroidal milieu. Anti-angiogenic effects of mifepristone via suppression of VEGF production might represent a mechanism for its quelling effects on endometrium.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/12.6.1280