S. Siegfried et al., EXPRESSION OF MESSENGER-RNA FOR KERATINOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR AND ITS RECEPTOR IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 74(6), 1995, pp. 410-414
Background. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expressio
n of mRNA for the keratinocyte growth factor and the keratinocyte grow
th factor receptor in human endometrium at different stages of the men
strual cycle. The role of estrogen and progesterone in regulating the
expression of the mRNAs encoding keratinocyte growth factor and its re
ceptor was further examined by studying the effect of continuous proge
stin (endometrium exposed to levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine con
traceptive device), and continuous estrogen (endometrium hyperplasia)
on the endometrium. Methods. The expression of mRNA in endometrial sam
ples was evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reacti
on. Results. The expression of KGF mRNA was found to vary during the m
enstrual cycle, with the highest levels in the progesterone-dominated
late-secretory stage endometrium. Keratinocyte growth factor mRNA expr
ession was low in both the endometrium that had been under the influen
ce of continuous progestin (atrophic endometrium) and continuous estro
gen (hyperplastic endometrium). The highest level of keratinocyte grow
th factor receptor mRNA expression was seen in late-proliferative stag
e of the menstrual cycle and in hyperplasia when the estrogen exposure
to endometrium is high. A low receptor mRNA level was found in endome
trium exposed tp continuous progestin. Conclusion. The results suggest
that keratinocyte growth factor mRNA expression is progesterone depen
dent, whereas keratinocyte growth factor receptor mRNA expression seem
s to be more estrogen than progesterone dependent.