Effects of lipopolysaccharide and cytokines on production of RANTES by cultured human endometrial stromal cells

RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), w hich is a potent chemoattractant for eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocyte s, was recently detected in the human endometrium. The effects of modulator s of endometrial function, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumour necro sis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), on the production of RANTES by endometrial stromal cells (ESC) were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Northern blot an alysis. The concentration of RANTES in the culture media of non-stimulated ESC was below the level of detection. The concentration of RANTES was incre ased by the addition of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and LPS. IFN-gamma synergistic ally enhanced the TNF-alpha- and LPS-induced RANTES expression, but had no effect on the IL-1 beta-induced RANTES expression. The TNF-alpha-induced pr oduction of RANTES by ESC was inhibited by IL-4. The transcription of RANTE S in ESC was also stimulated by TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and LPS in a dose-depe ndent manner. It is suggested that the LPS and cytokines secreted by the ma ternal decidual tissue and the developing embryo may regulate the productio n of RANTES by ESC, The modulation of RANTES concentration in the local env ironment may contribute to the pathophysiological processes of human reprod uction by regulating the immunological reaction at the fetal-maternal inter face.