EFFECTS OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR AND INTERLEUKIN-1-ALPHA ON PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR SECRETION AND DECIDUALIZATION IN RAT ENDOMETRIAL STROMAL CELLS

Prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) increases decidualization and net plasminog en activator (PA) activity in the medium of cultured endometrial strom al cells from ovariectomized rats sensitized for the decidual cell rea ction. Because interleukin-la (IL-1 alpha) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulate PGE(2) production by these cells, the present study d etermined their effects on decidualization and on the levels of PA act ivity in the medium. Cells were treated with or without IL-1 alpha (20 ng/ml) and ECF (40 ng/ml) for up to 72 h, and net PA activity in the medium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (a marker for deciduali zation) in the cells were measured. After 48 and 72 h of treatment wit h IL-1 alpha, net PA activity levels decreased by 60% and 85%, respect ively. EGF significantly increased net PA activity at 24, 48, and 72 h . ALP activity in the cells at 24, 48, and 72 h increased in response to IL-1 alpha but not EGF. These results indicate that IL-1 alpha, but not EGF, enhances decidualization of the cells as indicated by ALP ac tivity. Moreover, they suggest that net PA activity in the medium is n ot a useful marker of decidualization.