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Interleukin‐1β Down‐Regulates the Oxytocin Receptor in Cultured Uterine Smooth Muscle Cells
Author(s) -
RAUK PHILLIP N.,
FRIEBEHOFFMANN ULRIKE
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.8755-8920.2000.430204.x
Subject(s) - oxytocin , oxytocin receptor , smooth muscle , receptor , andrology , biology , endocrinology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry
PROBLEM: Intrauterine infection accounts for 20% of preterm labor and results in the production of decidual inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐1 (IL‐1). The oxytocin receptor plays a key role in the onset of preterm labor. Cytokines likely regulate oxytocin receptor expression through several cytokine‐induced DNA‐binding proteins. METHOD OF STUDY: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the IL‐1 alone on oxytocin receptor number as measured by radioligand binding and immunocytochemistry, and oxytocin receptor mRNA as measured by reverse transriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in cultured uterine myocytes. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, IL‐1 treatment decreased oxytocin receptor number from 111,067 to 23,941 receptors/cell. Loss of oxytocin receptor binding began after 8 hr of IL‐1 treatment and was reversible after IL‐1 removal. Immunocytochemistry confirmed a loss of cellular oxytocin receptors. Oxytocin receptor mRNA decreased beginning after 2 hr of IL‐1 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IL‐1 down‐regulates the uterine oxytocin receptor in a time‐ and dose‐dependent fashion.