Expression of epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide 78 in cultured human endometrial stromal cells

It has been demonstrated that human endometrial stromal cells (ESC) produce a variety of chemokines in vivo and in vitro, To evaluate the expression o f epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide 78 (ENA-78) in the endometrium, concentrations of ENA-78 in cyclic endometrial tissues were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of ENA-78 was also detect ed in cyclic endometrium by immunohistochemistry. Endometrial tissues in th e secretory phase contained higher amounts of ENA-78 protein than did those in the proliferative phase. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that ENA- 78 protein was localized mainly in the stroma of endometrium. In addition, to evaluate the involvement of inflammatory mediators and ovarian steroid h ormones in the production of ENA-78 by ESC was evaluated by in-vitro studie s. Unstimulated ESC constitutively secreted ENA-78. Progesterone, lipopolys accharide, tumour necrosis factor-a, and interleukin-1 beta significantly s timulated the expression of ENA-78 by ESC. It is suggested that the product ion of ENA-78 by ESC is regulated by progesterone as well as by the inflamm atory mediators. The modulation of ENA-78 concentration in the local enviro nment by these mediators may contribute to the normal and pathological proc esses of human reproduction through regulation of leukocyte trafficking int o the endometrium.