Influence of thrombin on proliferation and prostaglandin production in cultured bovine endometrial cells

The control of cell proliferation by thrombin was studied in vitro in cultured epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium. The effect of thrombin was studied after chronic treatment (72 hr) in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) combined or not with sex steroids. Thrombin inhibited slightly the proliferation (based on DNA measurements) only in epithelial cells (P < 0.05). 17β-estradiol (E) and progesterone (P4) had no mitogenic effects. The presence of functional thrombin receptors was estimated by stimulation of second messenger generation in response to increasing doses of thrombin (0-1,500 ng/ml). In confluent cultures of epithelial cells, the addition of thrombin for 10 min stimulated cAMP production by 50% with a maximal response at 500 ng/ml (P < 0.05). Similarly, in stromal cells, thrombin stimulated cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). Generation of inositol-phosphates was also stimulated by 50% in epithelial cells (P < 0.03), with a maximal response at 500 ng/ml, and by 45% in stromal cells (P < 0.01), with a maximal response at 50 ng/ml. The effect of thrombin on cell proliferation was investigated by ³H-thymidine incorporation in serum-free medium for 24 hr. Thrombin inhibited incorporation in epithelial cells (P < 0.0001) in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, thrombin stimulated significantly incorporation of stromal cells (P < 0.05) at 50 ng/ml. The effect of sex steroids was also evaluated and it was found that E had no effect on cell proliferation, while P4 inhibited the incorporation in both epithelial (P < 0.001) and stromal cells (P < 0.001). The effect of a combined treatment with thrombin and E inhibited both epithelial (P < 0.001) and stromal cell (P < 0.001) growth, but a combination of thrombin and P4 had no additional effect on growth compared to P4 alone. Further investigation of the role of thrombin has been carried out by measuring prostaglandin (PG) responses. Addition of thrombin for 24 hr inhibited PGF_2α production by epithelial cells (P < 0.0001) but had no effect on PGE₂ production by stromal cells. Therefore, functional receptors for thrombin appear to be present in epithelial and stromal cells of the bovine endometrium. The minimal effect of thrombin alone or in combination with sex steroids on endometrial cell proliferation in vitro combined with the evidence of functional thrombin receptor in these cells, suggest that: (1) the effect of sex steroids in cultured endometrial cells is not modulated by the presence of thrombin, and (2) other factors are necessary for the full expression of mitogenic responses to sex steroids in vitro. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha on agonist-induced progesterone production in cultured bovine luteal cells

The present study examines the effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on basal and agonist-stimulated progesterone (P4) production utilizing long-term, serum-free cultures of bovine luteal cells. During the first 24 h of culture, PGF2 alpha had no significant effect on P4 production, and was unable to inhibit either luteinizing hormone (LH)- or dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)-stimulated increases in P4. Treatment with PGF2 alpha on Day 1 produced a moderate, nonsignificant (P greater than 0.05) inhibition of cholera toxin (CT)- and forskolin (FKN)-stimulated P4 synthesis. Beyond Day 1 of culture (Days 3-11), PGF2 alpha continued to have no significant effect on basal P4 production, but suppressed all stimulatory effects of LH, dbcAMP, CT and FKN. Treatment with indomethacin inhibited prostaglandin synthesis by the cultured cells and also elevated levels of P4 from Days 3 to 11 of culture. Concurrent treatment with PGF2 alpha suppressed the steroidogenic effect of indomethacin. From these studies it was concluded that in cultured bovine luteal cells, PGF2 alpha does not affect basal P4 production, but is able to inhibit agonist-stimulated P4 production at a site beyond the accumulation of cAMP. This inhibitory effect is not apparent during the first 24 h of culture, but appears after Day 1 and persists throughout the remaining 10 days of the culture period.     

Synthesis of prostaglandin F by cultured human endometrial cells

Human endometrial cells were dispersed with collagenase and maintained in culture overnight. The synthesis of PGF by the dispersed cells incubated at 37 degrees C in serum-free medium was stimulated by estradiol (10(-7)M - 10(-5)M), histamine (5X10(-7)M - 5X10(-5)M), bradykinin (10(-6)M), phorbol myristate (PMA, 3X10(-8)M) and arachidonate (5X10(-6)M). Preincubation of the cells for 3 h with cortisol (5X10(-7)M - 5X10(-5)M), progesterone (10(-6)M) or mepacrine (10(-6)M - 2X10(-4)M) inhibited the response to histamine, bradykinin and PMA but not to arachidonate. Perfusion of the cultured cells in filtration chambers yielded similar results to those obtained in the incubation system but differences in the onset and duration of the responses to stimuli were found. In the perifusion system the responses to histamine and bradykinin were rapid and of short duration (peak response in less than 60 min) while the responses to PMA and arachidonate were of longer duration with a slower onset. We conclude that these observations using dispersed endometrial cells are consistent with previous work showing that histamine, bradykinin and PMA act by stimulating acylhydrolase activity, thereby liberating precursors such as arachidonic acid which are converted to prostaglandins by the cyclo-oxygenase complex.     

Inhibitory effects of interleukin 6 on prostaglandin I2 production in cultured bovine vascular endothelial cells.

The effect of interleukin 6 (IL-6) upon arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism was studied in cultured bovine vascular endothelial cells (BVECs). Although, in those BVECs pretreated with IL-6 for 48 h, there was no effect upon cell proliferation, it was discovered that IL-6 suppressed the conversion of AA to prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) in cellular homogenates. First signs of the suppression occurred 3 h after incubation, and thereafter the suppression increased with time until it leveled off at 12 h. This effect of IL-6 was concentration-dependent, ranging from 20 ng/ml to a maximum of 100 ng/ml with IL-6 at 47% of control. IL-6 had no effect upon AA conversion when exogenously added to the BVEC homogenates. To investigate the mechanism of the suppression induced by IL-6, we studied its effect upon PGI2 synthesizing enzymes. We found that IL-6 had no effect upon the release of AA from phospholipids, but inhibited cyclooxygenase, the key enzyme for PGI2 production from AA. To amplify PGI2 production, AA was added exogenously to both control and IL-6-treated BVECs, and in this case also, the conversion activity in IL-6-treated BVEC's was suppressed. Through immunoblot analysis with an antibody to cyclooxygenase, it was determined that the level of cyclooxygenase protein was lowered in IL-6-treated cells. This is the first report to confirm down expression of cyclooxygenase in addition to the first observation as to the effect of IL-6 on endothelial cells.     

Progesterone and prostanoid production by bovine binucleate trophoblastic cells

A procedure for preparing highly enriched suspensions of bovine binucleate trophoblastic cells was developed and data showing that these cells produce progesterone, prostacyclin (PGI2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were obtained. Approximately 200 X 10(6) enzymatically dissociated cells from bovine cotyledons were applied to the surface of a density gradient of 2% to 4% Ficoll-400 using the Wescor CELSEP sedimentation chamber. After 90-120 min of sedimentation at unit gravity, fractions containing binucleate trophoblastic cells were obtained and washed in HEPES-buffered Medium 199. Preparations of 90% to 100% binucleate trophoblastic cells were obtained routinely; viability was 50% to 80%. After incubation at 37 degrees C, concentrations (ng/10(5) cells) of progesterone were greater in those fractions containing binucleate cells than in those containing primarily smaller, mononucleate cells. Total progesterone secreted (mean +/- SEM) after 4 h by 1 X 10(5), 2 X 10(5), 4 X 10(5), 8 X 10(5), and 1.6 X 10(6) binucleate cells was 0.27 +/- 0.03, 1.01 +/- 0.09, 4.02 +/- 0.37, 10.31 +/- 0.92, and 20.96 +/- 2.23 ng, respectively (r = 0.997). Addition of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or normal anestrous cow serum increased (P less than 0.05) production of progesterone by binucleate trophoblastic cells. Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, thyrotropin, and 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate had no effect. Binucleate trophoblastic cells also produced PGI2 in relation to number of cells incubated (r = 0.996). Time courses for production of PGI2, PGE2, and progesterone were similar. Aspirin inhibited production of PGI2 and PGE2 by about 50% at a dose of 100 microM; FBS stimulated production of both prostanoids.     

Regulation of prostaglandin production in cultured gastric mucosal cells

The aims of this study were to investigate whether exogenous prostaglandin modulates prostaglandin biosynthesis by cultured gastric mucosal cells, and to clarify the role of cyclic nucleotides in the possible modulation of prostaglandin production. After pretreatment for 30 min with buffer alone (control) or 1 to 100ng/ml PGE2, cells were incubated with 4 uM arachidonic acid for 30 min. Pretreatments with greater than 5ng/ml PGE2 inhibited arachidonate-induced PGE2 and PGI2 production in a dose-dependent fashion, as compared with control, with inhibition by 64 +/- 8% and 75 +/- 4% respectively, at 100ng/ml PGE2. PGE2, at 100ng/ml, significantly increased intracellular cAMP accumulation, but pretreatment with dibutyryl cAMP (0.01-mM) did not alter the amounts of arachidonate-induced PGE2 production. Furthermore, while greater than 10ng/ml PGE2 increased cGMP production dose-dependently, preincubation with dibutyryl cGMP (0.001-0.1mM) also failed to affect PGE2 synthesis significantly. In addition, pretreatment with isobutyl-methyl-xanthine, while increasing accumulation of cellular cyclic nucleotides, did not significantly change PGE2 production. Calcium ionophore A23187-induced PGE2 production was also inhibited by pretreatment with PGE2. These results indicate that exogenous PG inhibits subsequent arachidonate or A23187-induced PG biosynthesis in rat gastric mucosal cells, and suggest the possibility that PG regulates its own biosynthesis via feedback inhibition independent of cyclic nucleotides in these cells.     

Cell-type specificity of interleukins 1alpha and 1beta on prostaglandin and plasminogen activator production in bovine endometrial cells

Interleukin (IL)-1alpha is a potent stimulator of prostaglandin production in bovine endometrium, and IL-1 affects plasminogen activator (PA) activity in several types of cells. In this study, we determined the effects of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta on production of the prostaglandins PGF(2alpha) and PGE(2) and on PA activity in cultured bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. We also determined the effects of PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) on PA activity in these cells. Finally, we used RT-PCR to examine the expression of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R) mRNA in cultured bovine endometrial cells. This analysis revealed that IL-1alpha mRNA was present only in the stromal cells, whereas IL-1beta and IL-1R mRNAs were present in both cell types. When cultured cells were exposed to IL-1alpha and IL-1beta at concentrations ranging from 0.006 to 3 nM for 24h, IL-1alpha and IL-1beta were found to dose-dependently stimulate PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) production in stromal cells (P<0.05) but not in epithelial cells. On the other hand, exposure to IL-1alpha and IL-1beta dose-dependently increased PA activity in the epithelial cells, whereas neither stimulated PA production in the stromal cells. When cells were exposed to IL-1alpha and IL-1beta at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 3 nM for 24h, the two IL-1s differed in their effects on both PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) production in stromal cells and had significantly differed in their effects on PA activity in epithelial cells. Exposure to PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) did not affect PA activity in either stromal or epithelial cells (P>0.05). Taken together, these results suggest the possibility that both IL-1alpha and IL-1beta are produced by the stromal cells, that IL-1beta is produced by the epithelial cells, and that IL-1alpha is a far more potent stimulator than IL-1beta of prostaglandin and PA production in cultured bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells.     

Expression and contribution of three different isoforms of prostaglandin E synthase in the bovine endometrium

Prostaglandins are involved in the regulation of several reproductive processes such as ovulation, luteolysis, and establishment of pregnancy. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) appears to favor establishment of pregnancy in most mammals studied so far. The primary enzymes involved in the production of PGE(2) from arachidonic acid are cyclooxygenases and prostaglandin E synthases (PGES). Three PGES have been identified in humans, but in the bovine, microsomal PGES2 and cytosolic PGES genes have neither been cloned nor associated to any physiological processes. The present study was undertaken to clone bovine MPGES2 and CPGES and to report on their regulation in the endometrium during the estrous cycle. CPGES mRNA expression declines progressively during the cycle; its protein is not modulated according to a precise pattern. MPGES2 mRNA and protein expression decrease from the beginning of the cycle until Days 13-15 and then increase until ovulation. Immunohistochemical analysis reveals that both enzymes are located in luminal epithelial and glandular epithelial cells and at a lower level in stromal cells. In addition, using the bovine endometrial cell line BEND, where higher accumulation of PGE(2) is observed following treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-actetate (PMA) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), we have found an associated increase of MPGES1 and COX2 but not CPGES or MPGES2 protein expression. Together, our results suggest that MPGES1 is not the only PGES present in the bovine endometrium but is the main enzyme associated with increased PGE(2) production in vitro.     

Stimulation of prostaglandin production through purinoceptors on cultured porcine endothelial cells.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) lectin, which is a very highly glycosylated glycoprotein, has been completely deglycosylated by use of the trifluoromethanesulphonic acid reagent described by Edge, Faltnek, Hof, Reichert & Weber [(1981) Analyt. Biochem. 118, 131-137]. This shows that both hydroxyproline-arabinofuranoside and serine-galactopyranoside linkages are hydrolysed. The deglycosylated lectin is still functional and cross-reacts with one component of an anti-(potato lectin) antiserum.     

Hormonal regulation of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in cultured bovine endometrial cells.

Changes in the number of progesterone and oestradiol receptors in the endometrium are thought to play a role in the induction of luteolysis. The effect of oestradiol and progesterone on the regulation of their receptors in cultured bovine uterine epithelial and stromal cells was examined to determine the mechanisms involved in this process. Cells were obtained from cows at days 1-3 of the oestrous cycle and were cultured for 4 or 8 days in medium alone (RPMI medium + 5% (v/v) charcoal-dextran stripped newborn calf serum) or with oestradiol, progesterone or oestradiol and progesterone. At the end of culture, receptor binding was measured by saturation analysis. Specific binding of both [3H]ORG 2058 (16 alpha-ethyl-21-hydroxy-19-nor (6,7-3H) pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) and [3H]oestradiol to epithelial and stromal cells showed high affinities (Kd = 1.1 x 10(-9) and 6 x 10(-10) mol l-1, respectively, for progesterone receptors; Kd = 5.5 x 10(-9) and 7 x 10(-10) mol l-1, respectively, for oestradiol receptors). In the stromal cells, oestradiol (0.1-10 nmol l-1) increased the number of oestradiol receptors from 0.21 +/- 0.06 to 0.70 +/- 0.058 fmol microgram-1 DNA and the number of progesterone receptors from 1.4 +/- 0.83 to 6.6 +/- 0.70 fmol microgram-1 DNA in a dose-dependent manner after 4 days of culture (P < 0.01). After culture for 8 days, the stimulatory effect of oestradiol increased. Progesterone (50 nmol l-1) had no effect on the number of oestradiol or progesterone receptors (P > 0.05). However, progesterone inhibited the stimulatory effect of oestradiol. In epithelial cells, the lower concentrations of oestradiol (0.1 and 1 nmol l-1) stimulated the number of progesterone receptors (P = 0.05) after 4 days culture, whereas the highest concentration of oestradiol (10 nmol l-1), progesterone (50 nmol l-1) and progesterone (50 nmol l-1) plus oestradiol (1 nmol l-1) had no effect. After culture for 8 days, the stimulatory effect of oestradiol decreased. In contrast to progesterone receptors, the number of oestradiol receptors increased with oestradiol concentration (P < 0.01). These data show that the number of progesterone receptors was higher in the stromal cells than in epithelial cells, whereas the number of oestradiol receptors was higher in the epithelial cells than in stromal cells. Oestradiol upregulates its own receptor and increases the number of progesterone receptors in both cell types in vitro, whereas progesterone has little effect, but inhibits the effects of oestradiol on progesterone receptors.     

Regulation of prostaglandin production and ectoenzyme activities in cultured aortic endothelial cells

Prostaglandin production, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and 5'-nucleotidase were measured in porcine aortic endothelial cells in situ (with a multi-well template on an opened aorta), in primary culture and in subcultures. Changes during culture were monitored and the effects of culture conditions were investigated by growing cells on a biological matrix or on plastic, by adding different sera to the growth medium, and by harvesting cells enzymically or mechanically. Prostacyclin production by endothelium in primary culture is highest immediately after cell isolation and subsequently declines; this pattern is repeated each time the cells are subcultured. The level at which production stabilises is approximately 200 pg X 10(6) cells-1 X h-1. Detaching cells by physical means stimulates production much more than enzymic dispersion; the type of serum or the presence of a biological matrix does not alter prostaglandin production. The relative amount of prostaglandin E produced increases with time, from approximately 20% of the prostacyclin production shortly after isolation to greater than 100% in subcultured cells. None of the culture conditions that we tested altered this trend. Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity decreases during primary culture, but activity can be sustained by including homologous serum (from whole blood or from platelet-free plasma) in the culture medium. The method of harvesting cells, or the presence of a matrix, did not affect enzyme activity. 5'-Nucleotidase also declines during culture, with a progressive decrease in both Km and Vmax from template to primary culture to subcultures. None of the variations in culture conditions prevented this change. Ecto-adenosine-deaminase activity, not detectable in cultured cells, can be measured in the template. Part of this activity was released by the vascular wall and could be due to plasma diffusing from the interstitial space.     

Decreased prostaglandin production in cultured smooth muscle cells from atherosclerotic rabbit aorta

Prostaglandin synthesis in aortic smooth muscle cells originating from healthy an atherosclerotic rabbits was studied by incubating [14C]arachidonic acid with intact confluent cells and cell homogenates. In spite of a reduced 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha formation, no potentiating effect on the prostaglandin E2 generation occurred. Indeed, both cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin I2 synthetase activities appear to be reduced. These results suggest that an impaired arachidonic acid utilisation in aortic smooth muscle cells may be involved in the course of the atherosclerotic process.     

Interferon-tau modulates phorbol ester-induced production of prostaglandin and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and phospholipase-A(2) from bovine endometrial cells

Antiluteolytic actions of bovine interferon-tau (bIFN-tau) require suppression of prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (PGF(2 alpha)) production. Our objective was to test whether bIFN-tau could block PGF(2 alpha) production and synthesis of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes induced by a protein kinase C (PKC) stimulator (phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate; PDBu). Bovine endometrial epithelial (BEND) cells were treated with PDBu in the presence or absence of bIFN-tau. Medium samples were analyzed for concentrations of PGF(2 alpha), whole-cell extracts were analyzed for abundance of PLA(2) and COX-2 by immunoblotting, and RNA extracts were examined for steady-state levels of COX-2 mRNA by Northern blotting. The PDBu stimulated production of PGF(2 alpha) between 3 and 12 h, levels of COX-2 mRNA by 3 h and protein expression of COX-2 and PLA(2) by 6 and 12 h, respectively. Added concomitantly with PDBu, bIFN-tau suppressed PGF(2 alpha) production, steady-state levels of COX-2 mRNA, and expression of COX-2 and PLA(2) proteins. Added after a 3-h stimulation with PDBu alone, bIFN-tau suppressed PGF(2 alpha) production after 1 h. Bovine IFN-tau inhibited intracellular mechanisms responsible for PGF(2 alpha) production in BEND cells, and this could be through both cytosolic and nuclear actions.     

Expression of dimeric and tetrameric acetylcholinesterase isoforms on the surface of cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Acetylcholinesterase is a highly polymorphic enzyme, which can be anchored to the cell surface through several different mechanisms. Dimeric (G2) acetylcholinesterase isoforms are attached by a glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol (GPI) linkage, whereas tetrameric (G4) forms are linked through a 20 kilodalton hydrophobic subunit. Although cells of haemopoietic origin contain large amounts of G2 GPI-linked acetylcholinesterase, most tissues express only trace amounts of this isoform. We examined the expression of acetylcholinesterase isoforms in cultured bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. Two major isoforms (G2 and G4) were identified on the cell surface. The G2 isoform, which accounted for approximately half the cell-surface enzyme activity, was linked to the membrane through a GPI anchor. After treatment with diisopropylfluorophosphate to completely inhibit cellular acetylcholinesterase, the G4 isoform was found to be resynthesised and transported to the cell surface more rapidly than the G2 isoform. As the addition of GPI anchors is known to be a very rapid step, this finding suggested that the G2 and G4 isoforms might be transported to the cell surface by two different mechanisms. This conclusion was supported by results from subcellular fractionation experiments. The ratio of G4/G2 membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase varied between different subcellular fractions. The membrane-bound G2 isoform was greatly enriched in a high-speed “microsomal” fraction. G4 acetylcholinesterase is known to be actively secreted by chromaffin cells in culture. Although the G4 isoform was present on the cell surface, most of the secreted enzyme was derived from an intracellular pool. Thus, it is unlikely that the cell-surface G4 isoform contributes significantly to the pool of secreted enzyme. Instead, the expression of two different membrane-bound isoforms may provide a means by which chromaffin cells can target the enzyme to different locations on the cell surface. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Glycosaminoglycan production by bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured in sulfate-depleted medium

Bovine aortic endothelial cells were cultured in medium containing [3H]glucosamine and concentrations of [35S]sulfate ranging from 0.01 to 0.31 mM. While the amount of [3H]hexosamine incorporated into chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate was constant, decreasing concentrations of sulfate resulted in lower [35S]sulfate incorporation. Sulfate concentrations greater than 0.11 mM were required for maximal [35S]sulfate incorporation. Chondroitin sulfate was particularly affected so that the sulfate to hexosamine ratio in [3H]chondroitin [35S]sulfate dropped considerably more than the sulfate to hexosamine ratio in [3H] heparan [35S]sulfate. Sulfate concentration had no effect on the ratio of chondroitin 4-sulfate to chondroitin 6-sulfate. The ratios of sulfate to hexosamine in cell-associated glycosaminoglycans were essentially identical with the ratios in media glycosaminoglycans at all sulfate concentrations. DEAE-cellulose chromatography confirmed that sulfation of chondroitin sulfate was particularly sensitive to low sulfate concentrations. While cells incubated in medium containing 0.31 mM sulfate produced chondroitin sulfate which eluted later than heparan sulfate, cells incubated in medium containing less than 0.04 mM sulfate produced chondroitin sulfate which eluted before heparan sulfate and near hyaluronic acid, indicating that many chains were essentially unsulfated. At intermediate concentrations of sulfate, chondroitin sulfate was found in very broad elution patterns suggesting that most did not fit an "all or nothing" mechanism. Heparan sulfate produced at low concentrations of sulfate eluted with narrower elution patterns than chondroitin sulfate, and there was no indication of any "all or nothing" sulfation.     

Down-regulation of oxytocin-induced cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin F synthase expression by interferon-tau in bovine endometrial cells

Oxytocin (OT) is responsible for the episodic release of luteolytic prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha from the uterus in ruminants. The attenuation of OT-stimulated uterine PGF2alpha secretion by interferon-tau (IFN-tau) is essential for prevention of luteolysis during pregnancy in cows. To better understand the mechanisms involved, the effect of recombinant bovine IFN-tau (rbIFN-tau) on OT-induced PG production and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and PGF synthase (PGFS) expression in cultured endometrial epithelial cells was investigated. Cells were obtained from cows at Days 1-3 of the estrous cycle and cultured to confluence in RPMI medium supplemented with 5% steroid-free fetal calf serum. The cells were then incubated in the presence or absence of either 100 ng/ml OT or OT+100 ng/ml rbIFN-tau for 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. OT significantly increased PGF2alpha and PGE2 secretion at all time points (p < 0.01), while rbIFN-tau inhibited the OT-induced PG production and reduced OT receptor binding in a time-dependent manner. OT increased the steady-state level of COX-2 mRNA, measured by Northern blot, which was maximal at 3 h (9-fold increase) and then decreased with time (p < 0.01). OT also caused an increase in COX-2 protein, which peaked at 12 h (11-fold increase), as measured by Western blot. Addition of rbIFN-tau suppressed the induction of COX-2 mRNA (89%, p < 0.01) and COX-2 protein (50%, p < 0.01) by OT. OT also increased PGFS mRNA, and this stimulation was attenuated by rbIFN-tau (p < 0.01). To ensure that the decrease in COX-2 was not solely due to down-regulation of the OT receptor, cells were stimulated with a phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PMA) in the presence and absence of rbIFN-tau. The results showed that rbIFN-tau also decreased PMA-stimulated PG production and COX-2 protein. It can be concluded that rbIFN-tau inhibition of OT-stimulated PG production is due to down-regulation of OT receptor, COX-2, and PGFS.     

Effect of fatty acid modification on prostaglandin production by cultured 3T3 cells

We have investigated the extent to which modifications in the essential fatty acid content of mammalian cells can affect prostaglandin production. Swiss mouse 3T3 cells stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187 produced 1.7 to 7 times more prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) when the cultures were supplemented with linoleic acid. Increases in PGE(2) production as a result of linoleic acid supplementation occurred under all culture conditions except during the first 24 hr after attachment, when prostaglandin production was very high. Arachidonic acid supplementation produced a similar enhancement in the capacity of the cells to produce PGE(2), but no appreciable increase occurred when the cultures were supplemented with oleic acid. The phospholipids of the cells exposed to the linoleate-enriched medium contained 4 times more arachidonic acid and twice as much linoleic acid as compared with the corresponding controls. The choline phosphoglycerides were most highly enriched in arachidonic acid, but 2- to 3-fold increases also occurred in the inositol and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides. When cultures initially enriched with linoleic acid were transferred to an unsupplemented medium, the fatty acid composition as well as the capacity of the cells to produce PGE(2) reverted almost to control values. The amount of exogenous arachidonic acid converted to PGE(2) as measured by radioimmunoassay also was greater when the cells were enriched with linoleic acid. Studies with radioactive arachidonic acid indicated that the distribution of prostaglandin metabolites was not affected appreciably by linoleic acid enrichment. These findings suggest that at least two factors contribute to the increased capacity of the cultures supplemented with linoleate to produce PGE(2). One is enrichment of the phospholipid substrate pools with arachidonic acid. The other is an increased ability of the cells to synthesize PGE(2) from unesterified arachidonic acid, perhaps because the prostaglandin-forming enzymes are more active.-Denning, G. M., P. H. Figard, and A. A. Spector. Effect of fatty acid modification on prostaglandin production by cultured 3T3 cells.     

Inhibitory effects of dispersed human amnion cells on production rates of prostaglandin E and F by endometrial cells

Dispersed cells were prepared from amniotic membranes obtained either by caesarian section near term before labos (CS) or after spontaneous vaginal delivery (SL) and from human endometrial curettings. The cells were maintained separately in primary culture for about 18 h. Production rates (PR) of PGE and PGF during incubation for 1 h in defined medium were determined whent the cell-types were separate (n=60) or combined (n=27) and when endometrial cells were incubated in medium conditioned by CS amnion cells (n=13) or SL amnion cells (n=12). The PR of PGE by CS amnion cells was five times greater than that of PGF and there was a two-fold increase (p <0.01) in PGE but not PGF by SL cells. Co-incubation was associated with a 25–32% fall in PR of both PGE and PGF (p <0.01) compared to the sum from separately incubated cells when CS cells were used whereas values for co-incubated SL cells did not differ from controls. Conditioned medium from CS but not SL cells inhibited PGE and PGF output by 30% and 40% (p <0.01) respectively. These findings suggest that human amnion cells release an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis in endometrial cells.     

The effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha and its analogues on progesterone, estradiol and androgen production by the cultured bovine luteal cells

The effect of PGF2 alpha and its analogues on progesterone, estradiol and androgen production in cow corpus luteum in vitro was investigated. The cells derived from cow corpora lutea (CL) and collected in the early and middle luteal phases of the oestrus cycle were cultured as monolayers. The inhibitory effect was not apparent during the first 48 hr of culture, but appeared after this time and persisted through the remainder of the culture period. The direct luteolytic influence of PGF2 alpha was observed in the cultured cells and showed that this compound can act independently of the blood supply.     

Enhanced production and isotope enrichment of recombinant glycoproteins produced in cultured mammalian cells

NMR studies of post-translationally modified proteins are complicated by the lack of an efficient method to produce isotope enriched recombinant proteins in cultured mammalian cells. We show that reducing the glucose concentration and substituting glutamate for glutamine in serum-free medium increased cell viability while simultaneously increasing recombinant protein yield and the enrichment of non-essential amino acids compared to culture in unmodified, serum-free medium. Adding dichloroacetate, a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitor, further improves cell viability, recombinant protein yield, and isotope enrichment. We demonstrate the method by producing partially enriched recombinant Thy1 glycoprotein from Lec1 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using U-¹³C-glucose and ¹⁵N-glutamate as labeled precursors. This study suggests that uniformly ¹⁵N,¹³C-labeled recombinant proteins may be produced in cultured mammalian cells starting from a mixture of labeled essential amino acids, glucose, and glutamate.