Luteinizing Hormone Up-Regulates the Expression of Interleukin-1beta mRNA in Human Granulosa-Luteal Cells

PROBLEM: Previously, we observed that follicular fluid obtained from patients with premature luteinization contained elevated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) levels. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of luteinizing hormone (LH) on IL-1 beta expression and IL-1 beta on steroidogenesis in human granulosa-luteal cells. METHOD OF STUDY: Human granulosa-luteal cells were obtained during oocyte retrieval. The cells were treated with either LH or IL-1 beta and subsequently were examined for the level of IL-1 beta transcript. The conditioned media were examined for IL-1 beta protein and steroid hormone levels. RESULTS: LH (250-500 mIU/mL) up-regulated the expression of IL-I beta mRNA (up to a 4-fold increase over control; P < 0.05) in the granulosa-luteal cells. IL-1 beta (5-50 ng/mL) increased the basal, but not LH-dependent, progesterone production from these cells in a dose-dependent manner after 96 and 144 hr of culture (P < 0.05). However, an inhibitory effect of IL-1 beta on LH-dependent estradiol production was observed (up to 20% decrease, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LH is capable of stimulating IL-1 beta transcript expression in human granulosa-luteal cells and may regulate ovarian steroidogenesis, at least partly through the activation of IL-1 beta.