PGE_2 promotes expression of VEGF in endometriotic cells

Objective To evaluate the effect of PGE_(2) on the secretion and expression of VEGF in ectopic endometrial cells and to find the mechanism of signal transduction.Methods Endometrial cells from women suffering from endometriosis were cultured,purified and identified by immunocytochemistry.The ectopic endometrial cells were divided into two groups.(1) control group: cells were cultured under serum-free condition.(2) PGE_(2) group: PGE_(2) was added to endometrial cell at dose of 1×10~(-9),1×10~(-8),1×10~(-7) mol/L,and conditioned media were collected after(24 h).VEGF was quantified in the media by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of mRNA in human endometrial cells was assayed by RT-PCR.Effects on proliferation cultured human endometrial cells of PGE_(2) were observed by determining the incorporation of()~3H-TdR.And the effects of Forskolin and SQ 22536 on human ectopic endometrial cells were detected by ELISA.Results PGE_(2) specifically induces the expression of protein and mRNA of VEGF in a dose-depen-dent manner in ectopic endometrial cells.PGE_(2) does not cause any alteration in cellular proliferation rate.Forskolin increases the expression of VEGF in a dose-dependent manner.But SQ 22536 inhibits the expression of VEGF induced by PGE_(2).Conclusion PGE_(2) induces the expression of VEGF in a dose-dependent manner in ectopic endometrial cells,cAMP may be implicated as a second messenger involved in VEGF production.Induction of VEGF expression by PGE_2 in ectopic endometrial cells may contribute to the development of the angiogenesis of endometriosis.