Several factors participate in regulation of growth and development as well as angiogenesis of the uterus
during pregnancy, and hence little is known about the role of hormonal regulation of vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF)-receptor system expression. This study has examined the effect of insulin-like
growth factor-I (IGF-I), relaxin (RLX), oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin (PG) E2, on VEGF secretion and
VEGF-receptor system mRNA expression in the porcine endometrial stromal cells. IGF-I and RLX were
identified as the most effective inducers of VEGF secretion and mRNA expression. Although PGE2 stimulated
VEGF secretion and VEGF164 mRNA expression, OT inhibited both secretion and mRNA expression
of VEGF. When tested for VEGF receptors (R), all factors failed to affect their mRNA expression. Media conditioned
by stromal cells collected after IGF-I and RLX treatment significantly increased endothelial cell
proliferation and this effect was blocked by soluble VEGFR-1. These data suggest that during early pregnancy
IGF-I, RLX and PGE2 can affect VEGF expression in the endometrium and therefore may support
uterine and embryo development, implantation and pregnancy.
«
Several factors participate in regulation of growth and development as well as angiogenesis of the uterus
during pregnancy, and hence little is known about the role of hormonal regulation of vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF)-receptor system expression. This study has examined the effect of insulin-like
growth factor-I (IGF-I), relaxin (RLX), oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin (PG) E2, on VEGF secretion and
VEGF-receptor system mRNA expression in the porcine endometrial stromal cells. IG...
»