Cell-type specificity of interleukins 1α and 1β on prostaglandin and plasminogen activator production in bovine endometrial cells

Interleukin (IL)-1α is a potent stimulator of prostaglandin production in bovine endometrium, and IL-1 affects plasminogen activator (PA) activity in several types of cells. In this study, we determined the effects of IL-1α and IL-1β on production of the prostaglandins PGF2α and PGE2 and on PA activity in cultured bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. We also determined the effects of PGE2 and PGF2α on PA activity in these cells. Finally, we used RT-PCR to examine the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R) mRNA in cultured bovine endometrial cells. This analysis revealed that IL-1α mRNA was present only in the stromal cells, whereas IL-1β and IL-1R mRNAs were present in both cell types. When cultured cells were exposed to IL-1α and IL-1β at concentrations ranging from 0.006 to 3 nM for 24 h, IL-1α and IL-1β were found to dose-dependently stimulate PGE2 and PGF2α production in stromal cells (P < 0.05) but not in epithelial cells. On the other hand, exposure to IL-1α and IL-1β dose-dependently increased PA activity in the epithelial cells, whereas neither stimulated PA production in the stromal cells. When cells were exposed to IL-1α and IL-1β at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 3 nM for 24 h, the two IL-1s differed in their effects on both PGE2 and PGF2α production in stromal cells and had significantly differed in their effects on PA activity in epithelial cells. Exposure to PGE2 and PGF2α did not affect PA activity in either stromal or epithelial cells (P > 0.05). Taken together, these results suggest the possibility that both IL-1α and IL-1β are produced by the stromal cells, that IL-1β is produced by the epithelial cells, and that IL-1α is a far more potent stimulator than IL-1β of prostaglandin and PA production in cultured bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells.