Abstract
The role of stromal cells in basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) supply for endometrial neovascularization during the menstrual cycle was investigated. The concentrations of intracellular and secreted FGF, and FGF mRNA expression were determined in fibroblasts derived from uterine endometrium as a substitute for stromal cells. The influence of sex steroids on protein and mRNA expression was investigated.
The concentration of FGF and its mRNA expression in the fibroblasts was significantly increased by oestradiol, and these increased concentrations were diminished by progesterone. It is suggested that oestrogen stimulates FGF secretion from the stromal cells, an effect which is inhibited by progesterone. Therefore, endometrial neovascularization might be partially regulated by stromal-derived FGF under the influence of sex steroids, through a paracrine cell-to-cell interaction.