Involvement of p38 MAP kinase in lipopolysaccharide-induced production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin E(2) in human choriodecidua.

Chorioamnionitis is implicated in the pathogenesis of preterm delivery. However, the detailed mechanisms by which infection induces preterm labor are not well understood. This study has assessed the involvement of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and prostaglandin (PG) production in human choriodecidua.

Macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 induces cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E(2) via toll-like receptor 2 in human placental trophoblast cells.

We have examined whether toll-like receptor (TLR)2-mediated stimulation by macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2), originally purified from Mycoplasma fermentans, induces cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin (PG)E(2) in human placental trophoblast cells. The signaling mechanism by which MALP-2 exerts its effect has also been examined. Human placental trophoblast cells isolated from term placenta were used.

Progesterone and progestational compounds attenuate tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced interleukin-8 production via nuclear factor kappa B inactivation in endometriotic stromal cells.

Objective: To investigate whether and how P, dienogest (synthetic progestin), and danazol affected tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression in endometriotic stromal cells.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan.

Cervical Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization might be associated with increased incidence of preterm delivery in pregnant women without prophlogistic microorganisms on routine examination.

Aim: We examined whether the detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum DNA in the cervix is associated with preterm labor and delivery.

Methods: Eighty-two women (23 preterm labor cases and 59 controls) with no evidence of prophlogistic microorganisms on routine microbiologic examination were enrolled for this study. U.

Coculture with a human granulosa cell line enhanced the development of murine preimplantation embryos via SCF/c-kit system.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect on the coculture of murine embryos with a human ovarian granulosa tumor derived cell line (KGN cells).

Methods: We observed microscopically the growth of murine preimplantation embryos in the coculture system with KGN cells or in the presence with exogenous stem cell factor (SCF). The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to analyze the gene expression of SCF in KGN cells cocultured with murine embryos.

Analyses to clarify rich fractions in hepatic progenitor cells from human umbilical cord blood and cell fusion.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a source of hematopoietic stem cells and other stem cells, and human UCB cells have been reported to contain transplantable hepatic progenitor cells. However, the fractions of UCB cells in which hepatic progenitor cells are rich remain to be clarified. In the present study, first, the fractionated cells by CD34, CD38, and c-kit were transplanted via portal vein of NOD/SCID mice, and albumin mRNA expression was examined in livers at 1 and 3 months posttransplantation.

Interleukin-1beta-induced expression of IL-6 and production of human chorionic gonadotropin in human trophoblast cells via nuclear factor-kappaB activation.

Problem: The cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), stimulates the production of human chorionic gonadotropine (hCG) in chorionic cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) during the induction of IL-6 by IL-1beta in human trophoblast cells.

Method Of Study: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the gene expressions of IL-1, IL-1 receptor (IL-1R), IL-6R and gp130 in a human choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo.

A combination of interleukin-6 and its soluble receptor impairs sperm motility: implications in infertility associated with endometriosis.

Background: We previously reported that the level of interleukin (IL)-6 is increased in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) on in vitro sperm motility.

Methods: Sperm (n = 20) were cultured with IL-6 or sIL-6R, or with a combination of both.

Use of the LAP DISK (abdominal wall sealing device) in laparoscopically assisted myomectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an abdominal wall sealing device (the LAP DISK) used during laparoscopically assisted myomectomy (LAM).

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan.

Hepatocyte growth factor/Met system promotes endometrial and endometriotic stromal cell invasion via autocrine and paracrine pathways.

Endometrial stromal cells reportedly have a role in the initial invasion of endometrial tissue into the peritoneum. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is a ligand for the c-met protooncogene product (Met), stimulates proliferation and invasion of a large number of cells. In this study we investigated the role of the HGF/Met system in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment reduced serum interleukin-6 concentrations in patients with ovarian endometriomas.

Objective: To determine whether serum interleukin (IL)-6 can be measured in patients with ovarian endometriomas and whether these measurements are useful in managing this disease.

Design: A controlled clinical study and an in vitro study.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University, Japan.

The potential role of stem cell factor and its receptor c-kit in the mouse blastocyst implantation.

Embryo implantation is a complex process that requires the interaction of embryo and endometrium. Several growth factors and cytokines appear to be involved in this process. Stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor c-kit regulate the proliferation and survival of germ cells and play an important role in follicular development.

Role of cytokines in progression of endometriosis.

Peritoneal fluid in women with endometriosis contains an increased number of activated macrophages that secrete a variety of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Cytokines may be involved in the control of implantation and the growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus. In addition, several cytokines have been implicated in or directly associated with angiogenic activity in endometriosis.

Autocrine effects of transforming growth factor-alpha on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos.

Purpose: We wished to explore the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha in mouse embryonic development.

Methods: We examined the gene expression of TGF-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in mouse blastocysts by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and evaluated the effects of TGF-alpha on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos using TGF-alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. Mouse teratocarcinoma F9 cells were also a subject of this study.

Expression of c-kit messenger ribonucleic acid in human oocyte and presence of soluble c-kit in follicular fluid.

The c-kit protooncogene receptor and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) regulate the proliferation and survival of germ cells as well as hematopoietic cells and melanocytes. In adult rodent ovary, c-kit and SCF play important roles in follicular development. However, little information about c-kit in the human ovary is available.