Ovarian steroids modulate human monocyte tumor necrosis factor alpha messenger ribonucleic acid levels in cultured human peripheral monocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels in human peripheral monocytes are regulated by ovarian steroids.
DESIGN: Human granulosa-luteal cells and cultured, activated human peripheral monocytes were subjected to Northern blot analysis for TNF-alpha mRNA.
SETTING: Academic research laboratory. PATIENTS: Two human female volunteers of reproductive age and in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
RESULTS: Human granulosa-luteal cells produce TNF-alpha mRNA. Physiological levels of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) modulate TNF-alpha mRNA from peripheral blood monocytes with an apparent inverse relationship between steroid concentration and TNF-alpha message.
CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone and E2 at physiological concentrations regulate TNF-alpha mRNA production. The P antagonist mifepristone (RU486) and the E2 agonist/antagonist tamoxifen modulate total TNF-alpha mRNA levels, suggesting involvement of specific receptors.