This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Simoncini, T. Articles by Petraglia, F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Simoncini, T. Articles by Petraglia, F. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB ESTRADIOL

Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells: A New Source and Potential Target for Corticotropin-Releasing Factor

Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa (T.S., M.S., A.R.G.), and Scuola Superiore di Studi e di Perfezionamento S. Anna (T.S.), Pisa; the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University (R.A., F.M.), Rome; OASI Institute of Research (A.L.), Troina; and the Department of Surgery, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Udine (F.M.R., L.D., F.P.), 33100 Udine, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Felice Petraglia, M.D., Department of Surgery, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy. E-mail: felice.petraglia{at}dsc.uniud.it

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a key role in the modulation of fetal-placental unit function during human pregnancy. CRF has a potent vasoactive action on fetal-placental circulation. As products secreted from endothelial cells affect vascular wall reactivity, we investigated whether cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) may represent a source and a target for CRF. With RT-PCR we showed that HUVEC express CRF and CRF receptor type 2 messenger ribonucleic acids. Cultured HUVEC also released CRF peptide in a time-dependent way, and the CRF release was differently regulated by various molecules. Dexamethasone decreased CRF release, whereas progesterone and 17ß-estradiol markedly increased it. Forskolin and PGF₂ were potent stimulators of CRF release from HUVEC. Among the peptides, CRF secretion was stimulated by interleukin-1ß and by endothelin-1.

Our study shows for the first time that HUVEC express CRF messenger ribonucleic acid and peptide as well as the CRF R2 gene, and that CRF release is differentially regulated by several distinct molecules. We here propose that CRF has a role in the regulation of the fetal-placental circulation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Florio, L. Bruni, C. De Falco, G. Filardi, M. Torricelli, F. M. Reis, L. Galleri, C. Voltolini, C. Bocchi, V. De Leo, et al. Evaluation of Endometrial Urocortin Secretion for Prediction of Pregnancy after Intrauterine Insemination Clin. Chem., February 1, 2008; 54(2): 350 - 355. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Florio, F. M. Reis, P. B. Torres, F. Calonaci, P. Toti, C. Bocchi, E. A. Linton, and F. Petraglia Plasma Urocortin Levels in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Endometriosis Obstet. Gynecol., September 1, 2007; 110(3): 594 - 600. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. C Moss, P. Anton, T. Savidge, P. Newman, A. S Cheifetz, J. Gay, S. Paraschos, M. W. Winter, M. P Moyer, K. Karalis, et al. Urocortin II mediates pro-inflammatory effects in human colonocytes via corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2{alpha} Gut, September 1, 2007; 56(9): 1210 - 1217. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Simoncini, X-D. Fu, A. Caruso, S. Garibaldi, C. Baldacci, M.S. Giretti, P. Mannella, M.I. Flamini, A.M. Sanchez, and A.R. Genazzani Drospirenone increases endothelial nitric oxide synthesis via a combined action on progesterone and mineralocorticoid receptors Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2007; 22(8): 2325 - 2334. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Torricelli, G. De Falco, P. Florio, M. Rossi, E. Leucci, P. Vigano, L. Leoncini, and F. Petraglia Secretory endometrium highly expresses urocortin messenger RNA and peptide: possible role in the decidualization process Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2007; 22(1): 92 - 96. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Simoncini, A. Caruso, S. Garibaldi, X.-D. Fu, M. S. Giretti, C. Baldacci, C. Scorticati, L. Fornari, P. Mannella, and A. R. Genazzani Activation of nitric oxide synthesis in human endothelial cells using nomegestrol acetate. Obstet. Gynecol., October 1, 2006; 108(4): 969 - 978. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Simoncini, C. Scorticati, P. Mannella, A. Fadiel, M. S. Giretti, X.-D. Fu, C. Baldacci, S. Garibaldi, A. Caruso, L. Fornari, et al. Estrogen Receptor {alpha} Interacts with G{alpha}13 to Drive Actin Remodeling and Endothelial Cell Migration via the RhoA/Rho Kinase/Moesin Pathway Mol. Endocrinol., August 1, 2006; 20(8): 1756 - 1771. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Florio, G. De Falco, E. Leucci, M. Torricelli, P. B Torres, P. Toti, A. Dell'Anna, E. Tiso, R. Santopietro, L. Leoncini, et al. Urocortin expression is downregulated in human endometrial carcinoma. J. Endocrinol., July 1, 2006; 190(1): 99 - 105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.-C. Juan, C.-L. Chang, Y.-H. Lai, and L.-T. Ho Endothelin-1 induces lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, June 1, 2005; 288(6): E1146 - E1152. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Simoncini, P. Mannella, L. Fornari, A. Caruso, M. Y. Willis, S. Garibaldi, C. Baldacci, and A. R. Genazzani Differential Signal Transduction of Progesterone and Medroxyprogesterone Acetate in Human Endothelial Cells Endocrinology, December 1, 2004; 145(12): 5745 - 5756. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Simoncini, P. Mannella, L. Fornari, A. Caruso, G. Varone, S. Garibaldi, and A. R. Genazzani Tibolone Activates Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Human Endothelial Cells J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2004; 89(9): 4594 - 4600. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Florio, A. Imperatore, F. Sanseverino, M. Torricelli, F. M. Reis, P. J. Lowry, and F. Petraglia The Measurement of Maternal Plasma Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and CRF-Binding Protein Improves the Early Prediction of Preeclampsia J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2004; 89(9): 4673 - 4677. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Ni, Y. Hou, B. R. King, X. Tang, M. A. Read, R. Smith, and R. C. Nicholson Estrogen Receptor-Mediated Down-Regulation of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Gene Expression Is Dependent on a Cyclic Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate Regulatory Element in Human Placental Syncytiotrophoblast Cells J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2004; 89(5): 2312 - 2318. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Kempuraj, N. G. Papadopoulou, M. Lytinas, M. Huang, K. Kandere-Grzybowska, B. Madhappan, W. Boucher, S. Christodoulou, A. Athanassiou, and T. C. Theoharides Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone and Its Structurally Related Urocortin Are Synthesized and Secreted by Human Mast Cells Endocrinology, January 1, 2004; 145(1): 43 - 48. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Crompton, V. L. Clifton, A. T. Bisits, M. A. Read, R. Smith, and I. M. R. Wright Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Causes Vasodilation in Human Skin via Mast Cell-Dependent Pathways J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2003; 88(11): 5427 - 5432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Simoncini, P. Mannella, L. Fornari, G. Varone, A. Caruso, and A. R. Genazzani Dehydroepiandrosterone Modulates Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthesis Via Direct Genomic and Nongenomic Mechanisms Endocrinology, August 1, 2003; 144(8): 3449 - 3455. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. C. Reubi, B. Waser, W. Vale, and J. Rivier Expression of CRF1 and CRF2 Receptors in Human Cancers J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2003; 88(7): 3312 - 3320. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Florio, F. M. Severi, G. Fiore, L. Micheli, C. Bocchi, C. Nencini, I. Pezzani, G. Giorgi, and F. Petraglia Impaired Uterine Artery Blood Flow at Mid Gestation and Low Levels of Maternal Plasma Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Reproductive Sciences, July 1, 2003; 10(5): 294 - 297. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Simoncini, G. Varone, L. Fornari, P. Mannella, M. Luisi, F. Labrie, and A. R. Genazzani Genomic and Nongenomic Mechanisms of Nitric Oxide Synthesis Induction in Human Endothelial Cells by a Fourth-Generation Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator Endocrinology, June 1, 2002; 143(6): 2052 - 2061. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. L. Bale, F. J. Giordano, R. P. Hickey, Y. Huang, A. K. Nath, K. L. Peterson, W. W. Vale, and K.-F. Lee Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2 is a tonic suppressor of vascularization PNAS, May 28, 2002; 99(11): 7734 - 7739. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. C. Zouboulis, H. Seltmann, N. Hiroi, W. Chen, M. Young, M. Oeff, W. A. Scherbaum, C. E. Orfanos, S. M. McCann, and S. R. Bornstein Corticotropin-releasing hormone: An autocrine hormone that promotes lipogenesis in human sebocytes PNAS, May 14, 2002; 99(10): 7148 - 7153. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]