ro-13-6298 and involucrin

In spite of extensive study of the reproductive tract, little knowledge is available regarding the function of ectocervical epithelial (ECE) cells. In the present study we utilized a feeder layer of 3T3 cells to grow homogeneous cultures of human ectocervical epithelial cells and demonstrated the presence of the cornified envelope precursor, involucrin. Treatment of these cultures with 1 nM Ro 13-6298, a synthetic analogue of trans-retinoic acid, suppresses envelope formation 6-fold with half-maximal suppression at 0.005-0.01 nM. Treatment with 1 microM hydrocortisone elevates envelope production 2.5-fold. Sex steroids also regulate desquamation: 10 nM diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic estrogen, increases envelope levels 2- to 3-fold, while 300 nM progesterone reduces envelope production 2- to 3-fold. In spite of the retinoid-, glucocorticoid- and sex-steroid-stimulated changes in envelope production, the level of the envelope precursor, involucrin, remains constant. Our results suggest: (1) that, in vivo, ectocervical cell squame formation is regulated by the combined direct action of estrogens, progestins, glucocorticoids and retinoids; and (2) that envelope formation is not regulated by changes in the cellular content of the envelope precursor, involucrin. We present a model summarizing the estrogen, progestin, glucocorticoid and retinoid effects on ectocervical epithelial cell function.

Topics: Benzoates; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Cervix Uteri; Diethylstilbestrol; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Progesterone; Protein Precursors; Retinoids; RNA, Messenger