EXPRESSION OF MESSENGER-RNA FOR KERATINOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR AND ITS RECEPTOR IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM

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.