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 PGF_2α and PGE₂ and on PA activity in cultured bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. We also determined the effects of PGE₂ and PGF_2α 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 PGF_2α 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 PGF_2α production in stromal cells and had significantly differed in their effects on PA activity in epithelial cells. Exposure to PGE₂ and PGF_2α 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.