Cellular distribution and relative amounts of vascular endothelium growth factor mRNA in granulosa cells from human preovulatory follicles.

Cells were obtained from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. They were cultured and those producing vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) were detected by flow cytometry; relative amounts of mRNA were detected by RT-PCR and measured by PCR Elisa after RT-PCR products were biotinylated. Most of the granulosa cells produced VEGF. This production was maintained over 5 days in culture without adding hCG. The two diffusible forms, VEGF 121 and 165, were the most abundant. VEGF 145, which is specific to the reproductive system, was less abundant. VEGF 189, which is not freely secreted, was not produced by granulosa cells; small amounts were only detected in preparations containing leukocytes. TNF-alpha decreased VEGF production; the effect of TNF-alpha was neutralized by 10 nM staurosporine. Thus, the VEGF in human preovulatory follicles is mostly in the granulosa cells. These cells are therefore a major source of VEGF at ovulation and may play a key role in physiological and pathological processes which involve changes in vascular permeability and/or angiogenesis. The data also suggest that TNF-alpha via protein kinase C modulates the production of VEGF.