Paracrine stimulation of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) in the human endometrium by interleukin 1α and its dual block by ovarian steroids

摘要

In the cycling human endometrium, the ex- pression of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and of several related matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) follows the late- secretory fall in sex steroid plasma concentrations and is thought to be a critical step leading to menstruation. The rapid and extensive lysis of interstitial matrix that precedes menstrual shedding requires a strict control of these protein- ases. However, the mechanism by which ovarian steroids regulate endometrial MMPs remains unclear. We report here that, in the absence of ovarian steroids, MMP-1 expression in endometrial fibroblasts is markedly stimulated by medium conditioned by endometrial epithelial cells.