Effects of 17β-estradiol and progesterone on interleukin-6 production and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Abstract

The present investigation was performed to study the effects of steroids on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production and on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC were isolated and cultured in 24-well dishes until confluency was achieved. Afterwards cells were stimulated with either 17beta-estradiol or progesterone at concentrations of 10(-12)-10(-6) mol/l. IL-6 concentrations in cell supernatants were measured by ELISA and cell proliferation was determined by flow-cytometric assessment of S-phase-cells. 17Beta-estradiol significantly inhibited basal IL-6 secretion at doses of 10(-12)-10(-6) mol/l whereas progesterone had no measurable effects. Neither 17beta-estradiol nor progesterone affected the proliferation rate of endothelial cells. The results of our study suggest that 17beta-estradiol at non-proliferative doses regulates IL-6 secretion of endothelial cells and thereby modulates processes of vascular physiology.