Myometrial prostaglandin E2 synthetic enzyme mRNA expression: spatial and temporal variations with pregnancy and labour

We have investigated the hypothesis that the expression of the enzymes involved in PGE(2) synthesis in the human uterus is co-ordinated. We have studied (i) the mRNA expression of the enzymes involved in PGE(2) synthesis [phospholipases (cPLA(2) and sPLA(2)), prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-2 and PG E synthases (PGES-1 and -2)] and their relationship to the expression of inflammatory cytokines in samples of myometrium obtained from pregnant women undergoing caesarean section (LSCS) either before or after the onset of labour at or before term; and (ii) the effect of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, PGE(2) and stretch on PGE(2) enzyme mRNA expression. We found that cPLA(2), sPLA(2) and PGHS-2 mRNA expression were greater in labour samples; cPLA(2), sPLA(2), PGHS-2, PGES-1 and -2 mRNA expression were greater in lower- than upper-segment samples; and there was no effect of gestational age. PGHS-2 mRNA levels correlated with those of PGES-1, cPLA(2), IL-1beta and IL-8; PGES-1 mRNA levels correlated with those of IL-1beta, IL-8 and cPLA(2). In primary cultures of uterine myocytes, cPLA(2) mRNA expression was increased by IL-1beta and IL-6; PGHS-2 mRNA expression was increased by IL-1beta, PGE(2) and stretch; and PGES-1 mRNA expression was increased by IL-1beta only. These data show that labour is associated with increased expression of the enzymes involved in PGE(2) synthesis and their expression is greater in the lower uterine segment. The presence of associations between the levels of PGE(2) enzyme mRNA expression and the effects of IL-1beta suggest that their expression is co-ordinated and that IL-1beta is the responsible factor.