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Role of interleukin 1 in the regulation of cyclooxygenase gene expression in rat endometrial stromal cells

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) stimulates prostaglandin production and cyclooxygenase activity in endometrial stromal cells isolated from the uteri of ovariectomized rats that have been sensitized for the decidual cell reaction. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of IL-1 on the amount of cyclooxygenase mRNA and protein in these cells. Treatment with IL-1 (20 ng ml^–1) for 24 h significantly increased steady-state concentrations of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein in the cells, as determined by northern and western blot analyses, respectively. Cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) mRNA and protein were not detected. Dexamethasone (5 µmol l^–1) prevented the IL-1-induced increase in COX-2 steady-state mRNA. Immunocytochemical staining of COX-2 in the treated cells indicated that IL-1 increased staining, while dexamethasone inhibited this increase. Furthermore, the changes in staining were generalized and not confined to a small subpopulation of cells. These data demonstrate that IL-1 increases steady-state concentrations of COX-2 mRNA and protein in endometrial stromal cells isolated from the uteri of rats that have been sensitized for decidualization.