Transforming growth factor-β inhibits progesterone-induced enkephalinase expression in human endometrial stromal cells

The specific activity of enkephalinase in endometrial tissue of nonpregnant ovulatory women is correlated in a highly significant, positive manner with the plasma level of progesterone. The specific activity and levels of enkephalinase messenger ribonucleic acid and immunoreactive protein also are increased in human endometrial stromal cells in culture by treatment with a synthetic progestin, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), in a time- and dose-dependent manner. From an analysis of the temporal relationship between the specific activity and half-life of enkephalinase in endometrial tissue and the level of progesterone in plasma, it appeared highly likely that some mechanism, in addition to progesterone withdrawal, was operative to reduce enkephalinase activity in endometrium during the late luteal phase of the ovarian cycle before progesterone levels had declined below those known to be effective for progesterone action. In stromal cells previously (and concurrently) treated with MPA (10(-9) mol/L), the addition of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1) or TGF beta 2 (1 ng/mL) to the medium caused a decrease in enkephalinase specific activity despite the continued presence of MPA. The half-life of enkephalinase (activity) in stromal cells treated with MPA plus TGF beta 1 was 2.8 days, which is similar to the computed half-life for enkephalinase in endometrial tissue during the mid- to late secretory phase of the endometrial cycle (2.5 days). Simultaneous treatment of endometrial stromal cells with MPA (10(-9) mol/L) and TGF beta 1 (1 ng/ mL) prevented the progestin-induced increase in enkephalinase specific activity and immunoreactive enkephalinase protein. Thus, TGF beta acts to oppose the progesterone-induced increase in enkephalinase expression in endometrial stromal cells, even in the continued presence of MPA.