Expression of mRNA for keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor in human endometrium.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of mRNA for the keratinocyte growth factor and the keratinocyte growth factor receptor in human endometrium at different stages of the menstrual cycle. The role of estrogen and progesterone in regulating the expression of the mRNAs encoding keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor was further examined by studying the effect of continuous progestin (endometrium exposed to levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine contraceptive device), and continuous estrogen (endometrium hyperplasia) on the endometrium.

Methods: The expression of mRNA in endometrial samples was evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The expression of KGF mRNA was found to vary during the menstrual cycle, with the highest levels in the progesterone-dominated late-secretory stage endometrium. Keratinocyte growth factor mRNA expression was low in both the endometrium that had been under the influence of continuous progestin (atrophic endometrium) and continuous estrogen (hyperplastic endometrium). The highest level of keratinocyte growth factor receptor mRNA expression was seen in late-proliferative stage of the menstrual cycle and in hyperplasia when the estrogen exposure to endometrium is high. A low receptor mRNA level was found in endometrium exposed to continuous progestin.

Conclusions: The results suggest that keratinocyte growth factor mRNA expression is progesterone dependent, whereas keratinocyte growth factor receptor mRNA expression seems to be more estrogen than progesterone dependent.