Interlukin -1β enhances the expression of RANTES in endometrial stromal cells with endometriosis

Objective: To investigate the effects of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) on the expression of RANTES in endometrial cells and evaluate the relationship between proinflammtory cytokine IL-1β and chemokine RANTES and the importance of IL-1β in the development of endometriosis. Methods: The endometrial stromal cells of endometriosis cultured within 3～5 passages were exposed to various concentrations of IL-1β. The expression of RANTES mRNA was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The amount of RANTES protein was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: ① Expression of RANTES mRNA was positive in unstimulated endometrial stromal cells. However, after stromal cells were incubated with IL-1β, the intensity of RANTES mRNA expression was obviously increased and demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of RANTES mRNA markedly increased in the presence of IL-1β at 0.1ng/ml for 4 hours, and reached the peak at 1.0 ng/ml for 8 hours, but decreased progressively by time . ② RANTES protein was detected but tiny in culture supernatant of which the cells were not treated. Increase of RANTES protein in culture supernatant was observed following stimulation with 0.1ng/ml IL-1β for 4 hours, and the maximal stimulation effect of RANTES protein in supernatant happened in the presence of 1.0ng/ml IL-1β for 12 hours. Conclusions: IL-1β induces endometrial stromal cell of endometriosis to express RANTES not only at transcription level but also at post-transcription level in a dose- and time-dependent manner.