Sun K, Brockman D, Campos B, Pitzer B, Myatt L. Induction of surfactant protein A expression by cortisol facilitates prostaglandin synthesis in human chorionic trophoblasts.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006;
91:4988-94. [PMID:
17003084 DOI:
10.1210/jc.2006-1472]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT
Surfactant protein A (SP-A) may be an important link between the maturation of fetal organs and the initiation of parturition. However, the local expression of SP-A and the effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis in human fetal membranes have not been resolved.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to examine SP-A expression and the effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis in human fetal membranes.
DESIGN
SP-A expression was examined with immunohistochemistry and PCR. The effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis was investigated in cultured human chorionic trophoblasts.
PATIENTS
Patients were normal-term pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean sections.
RESULTS
Both SP-A protein and mRNA were present in amnion epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and chorionic trophoblasts. Cortisol (10(-7) and 10(-6) M, 24 h) induced SP-A expression in cultured chorionic trophoblasts, which could be blocked by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486. Treatment of chorionic trophoblasts with SP-A (10-100 microg/ml, 24 h) caused a dose-dependent increase of prostaglandin E2 release and an induction of cyclooxygenase type 2 but not cytosolic phospholipase A2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase expression.
CONCLUSIONS
SP-A can be synthesized locally in human fetal membranes, which can be induced by glucocorticoids. SP-A appeared to induce prostaglandin E2 synthesis in chorionic trophoblasts via induction of cyclooxygenase type 2 expression.
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