Pn. Rauk et Jp. Chiao, Interleukin-1 stimulates human uterine prostaglandin production through induction of cyclooxygenase-2 expression, AM J REPROD, 43(3), 2000, pp. 152-159
PROBLEM: Uterine infection occurs in as much as 20%, of preterm labor and r
esults in increased decidual cytokines. The objective of this study was to
examine the effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and the cycloosygenase-2 (COX-2)
inhibitor, NS-398, on myometrial prostaglandin (PG) production and COX-2 e
xpression.
METHOD OF STUDY: Human uterine myocytes were stimulated with IL-1 (0-50 ng/
mL) over 24 hr. PGE(2), PGF(2 alpha), and 6-keto F-1 alpha were measured by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both COX-1 and COX-2 proteins and mRNA
were measured by western and northern blot, respectively.
RESULTS: IL-1 increased PG production beginning at 6 hr. COX-2 protein incr
eased beginning at 4 hr and continued to increase at 24 hr. COX-2 mRNA incr
eased at 2 hr and peaked at 4 hr. NS-398 blocked PG production but had no e
ffect on COX-2 protein or mRNA.
CONCLUSIONS: IL-1 increases PG production by myometrium by increased COX-2
expression. NS-398 completely blocks IL-1-induced PG production. With intra
uterine infection, IL-1 may induce labor through the autocrine production o
f uterotonic PGs.