| Regulation of Oxytocin Receptor by Interleukin-6 on Cultured Myometrial Cells. |
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K H Lee, Y S Park, Y S Shin, J Kim, K C kang |
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| Abstract |
OBJECTIVE
Inflammatory cytokines seem to play a key role in mechanisms initiating labor. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of interleukin[Il]-6 on expression of human myometrial oxytocin receptors. METHODS: We prepared a human myometrial cell culture system. Myometrial cells collected from 12 patients were treated with Il-6 of different concentrations[10-7, 10-9, 10-12M] for 3 days and oxytocin receptor protein was determined by Western blotting. To demonstrate oxytocin receptor messenger RNA, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed. RESULTS: Western blotting showed a single 70-kd band corresponding to the oxytocin receptor. Treatment with higher concentration[10-7, 10-9M] of Il-6 led to a significant increase in myometrial oxytocin receptor protein levels[p=0.001, 0.002 respectively]. However, treatment with lower concentration[10-12M] did not increase oxytocin receptor levels[p=0.1]. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed oxytocin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid as a 391-bp band. CONCLUSION: In cultured myometrial cells, Il-6 increase significantly oxytocin receptor protein level. This study has added further support to the notion that the myometrium serves as a target for the inflammatory cytokine, Il-6, thus promoting preterm labor associated with intrauterine infection. |
| Key Words:
Oxytocin receptor, Il-6, Myometrium, Culture |
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