Presence of epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and their receptors in human myometrial tissue and smooth muscle cells: their action in smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Immunohistochemical observations indicate that human myometrial smooth muscle cells express epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB and contain EGF and PDGF-beta receptors with no variation in intensity with phases of the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, immunofluorescent microscopic studies revealed that primary myometrial smooth muscle cell cultures also express EGF, PDGF-AB, and contain EGF and PDGF-beta, but not alpha-receptor. Incubation of subconfluent smooth muscle cells in serum-free medium leads to quiescence within 48 h as demonstrated by 3H-thymidine incorporation and labeling index. Exposure of quiescent cells to 10% fetal bovine serum stimulates resumption of DNA synthesis and proliferation in a time-dependent manner with a doubling time of 41.6 h. EGF (1.5-50 ng/ml) and PDGF-AB (1-10 ng/ml) in a dose- and time-dependent manner significantly stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation by quiescent myometrial smooth muscle cells (P less than 0.05). Combinations of EGF (15 ng/ml) and PDGF-AB (10 ng/ml) significantly increased 3H-thymidine incorporation induced by either growth factor alone (P less than 0.05). PDGF-BB at 10 ng/ml also stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation and its effect was similar to that induced by PDGF-AB at the same concentration. 17 beta-Estradiol (E2) at 1 microM inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation by the smooth muscle cells (P less than 0.05). E2 also reduced the stimulatory effect of EGF (15 ng/ml) and PDGF (3 ng/ml). Progesterone at 1 microM either alone or in combination with E2 did not have any effect on 3H-thymidine incorporation or alter the mitogenic action of EGF and PDGF. The effect of EGF and PDGF on cell growth and 3H-thymidine incorporation by myometrial smooth muscle cells was independent of phases of the menstrual cycle. In summary, the results of present studies indicate that human myometrial tissue and myometrial smooth muscle cells in primary culture locally produce EGF and PDGF-AB and contain EGF and PDGF-beta, but not alpha-receptors. Moreover, the myometrial smooth muscle cells in culture respond to the mitogenic action of EGF and PDGF.