HUMAN DECIDUAL CELL BIOSYNTHESIS OF LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR - REGULATION BY DECIDUAL CYTOKINES AND STEROID-HORMONES

The production of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is suggested to be critical for the successful implantation of blastocysts into decidua, because LIF expression is essential for the implantation of mouse blas tocytes. We investigated the regulation of LIF production by decidual cytokines and steroid hormones. Stimulation of decidual cells by inter leukin-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, or transforming growth factor b eta augmented LIF production in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, est radiol, a steroid hormone that increases during ovulation and early pr egnancy, also enhanced LIF production in a dose-dependent manner. Thes e responses were blocked by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor but not b y other kinase inhibitors, suggesting an important role of PKC in deci dual LIF production mediated by cytokines and estradiol. We also showe d that stimulating decidual cells with LIF failed to stimulate DNA syn thesis and prolactin production in these cells. In summary, LIF was ma inly localized in the decidual glands and stroma, and its production w as increased by cytokines and estradiol in a dose-dependent fashion; b ut stimulation of decidual cells by LIF did not influence their prolif eration or their prolactin production.