OBJECTIVE: To measure the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) induced by thrombin in endometrial stromal cells (ESC). DESIGN: Evaluation of the effects of thrombin, thrombin receptor activator peptide 6 (TRAP-6), and D-phenylalanyl-1-propyl-L arginine chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) on the production of VEGF and MMPs by ESC. SETTING: Research laboratory at the Oita University Medical School. PATIENT(S): Eight endometrial specimens in the secretory phase. INTERVENTION(S): ESC were incubated for 24 hours with thrombin, TRAP-6, and PPACK. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The levels of VEGF, MMP-1, and active MMP-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULT(S): Following stimulation by thrombin and TRP-6, the production of VEGF, MMP-1, and active MMP-2 statistically significantly increased; U0126 and PPACK statistically significantly suppressed the increases in the production of VEGF, MMP-1, and active MMP-2 induced by thrombin and TRAP-6. Activity by MAP kinase was induced by treatment with thrombin and TRAP-6 and was suppressed by PPACK. CONCLUSION(S): The results suggest that thrombin stimulates the production of VEGF and MMPs by a mechanism involving the MAP kinase system. The increases in VEGF and MMPs may contribute to neovascularization, which promotes the proliferation of endometrium and placentation.
OBJECTIVE: To measure the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) induced by thrombin in endometrial stromal cells (ESC). DESIGN: Evaluation of the effects of thrombin, thrombin receptor activator peptide 6 (TRAP-6), and D-phenylalanyl-1-propyl-L arginine chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) on the production of VEGF and MMPs by ESC. SETTING: Research laboratory at the Oita University Medical School. PATIENT(S): Eight endometrial specimens in the secretory phase. INTERVENTION(S): ESC were incubated for 24 hours with thrombin, TRAP-6, and PPACK. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The levels of VEGF, MMP-1, and active MMP-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULT(S): Following stimulation by thrombin and TRP-6, the production of VEGF, MMP-1, and active MMP-2 statistically significantly increased; U0126 and PPACK statistically significantly suppressed the increases in the production of VEGF, MMP-1, and active MMP-2 induced by thrombin and TRAP-6. Activity by MAP kinase was induced by treatment with thrombin and TRAP-6 and was suppressed by PPACK. CONCLUSION(S): The results suggest that thrombin stimulates the production of VEGF and MMPs by a mechanism involving the MAP kinase system. The increases in VEGF and MMPs may contribute to neovascularization, which promotes the proliferation of endometrium and placentation.