Abstract
Steroid sulfatase (STS) and sulfokinase (SK) are antagonistic regulators of local estrogen activity. STS and SK activities and the expression of some cytokines in human endometrium show menstrual cycle-dependent changes. However, the role of cytokines in the regulation of both enzymatic activities is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of cytokines on STS and SK activities by measuring their mRNA expression in human endometrial cells. Human endometrium was obtained from endocrinologically healthy women during gynecological surgery for either a benign disease or CIS. Endometrial stromal cells were isolated and cultured in the presence or absence of cytokines, IL-1β or IL-8. Total RNA was extracted and STS and SK mRNA expressions were measured using real-time PCR (LightCycler) . Both IL-1β and IL-8 significantly reduced STS mRNA expression, whilst inducing SK mRNA expression. When an IL-1 receptor antagonist or CXCR-1 antibody was added simultaneously, the effect of IL-1β or IL-8 was neutralized. These results suggest that IL-1β and IL-8, which are more prevalent in the late secretory phase endometrium, regulate STS and SK mRNA expression and decrease the local estrogen effects in human endometrium.
