Abstract
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and a variety of cancers, and is expressed in mouse uteri. Our previous study suggested that IL-18 acts as a paracrine factor, regulating endometrial function. To elucidate the physiological roles of IL-18 in the mouse endometrium, the expression of the IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) α subunit was analyzed. IL-18Rα mRNA was expressed in several mouse organs in addition to the endometrium. In situ hybridization analysis using a biotin-labeled mouse IL-18Rα riboprobe demonstrated that IL-18Rα mRNA expression was detected in glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells around uterine glands, and myometrial cells in the mouse uterus, suggesting that these cells are targets for IL-18. The uterine IL-18Rα mRNA expression level changed with the estrous cycle. The uterine IL-18Rα mRNA levels of estrous mice were higher than those of diestrous mice. In addition, the IL-18Rα mRNA levels in uteri at 3 and 14 days after ovariectomy were higher than those at diestrus and decreased following treatment with estradiol-17 β or progesterone. These findings suggest that IL-18Rα gene expression is regulated by estrogen and progesterone and that the uterine IL-18 system is involved in the regulation of uterine functions in a paracrine manner.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 59-68 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Reproduction and Development |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2007 |
Keywords
- Interleukin-18
- Interleukin-18 receptor
- Mouse
- Uterus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Animal Science and Zoology