Grazul-Bilska A T, Redmer D A, Reynolds L P
Cell Biology Center, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58105-5727, USA.
Semin Reprod Endocrinol. 1997;15(4):383-93. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1068376.
The corpus luteum (CL) is an organ that exhibits extremely rapid growth, development, and regression during the course of each nonpregnant cycle. The CL consists of steroidogenic (parenchymal) and nonsteroidogenic (nonparenchymal) cells. The small and large parenchymal cells differ in numerous morphological and functional characteristics, and are thought to interact with each other to maintain normal luteal function. These steroidogenic luteal cells also interact with the nonsteroidogenic cells; for example, they produce factors that stimulate proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and proliferation of fibroblasts; they also may enhance or suppress immune cell function. Conversely, endothelial cells produce factors that modulate steroidogenesis, and immune cells produce cytokines that modify the secretory function of steroidogenic cells. Cellular interactions may be mediated by several mechanisms, including humoral (endocrine and paracrine) pathways as well as contact-dependent (gap junctional) pathways. Thus, hormones, growth factors and cytokines produced locally by steroidogenic or nonsteroidogenic cells may be transferred from cell to cell indirectly or directly to regulate luteal function. Gap junctions are present in luteal tissues of several species, and gap junctional intercellular communication is affected by the stage of luteal development and systemic and local regulators of luteal function. Such cellular interactions probably are important in luteal hormone production, signal transduction, angiogenesis, and luteolysis because of their role in coordinating function among the various luteal cell types.
黄体（CL）是一种在每个非妊娠周期过程中呈现出极其快速的生长、发育和退化的器官。黄体由类固醇生成（实质）细胞和非类固醇生成（非实质）细胞组成。小实质细胞和大实质细胞在许多形态和功能特征上存在差异，并且被认为相互作用以维持正常的黄体功能。这些类固醇生成的黄体细胞也与非类固醇生成细胞相互作用；例如，它们产生刺激内皮细胞增殖和迁移以及成纤维细胞增殖的因子；它们还可能增强或抑制免疫细胞功能。相反，内皮细胞产生调节类固醇生成的因子，免疫细胞产生改变类固醇生成细胞分泌功能的细胞因子。细胞间相互作用可能由多种机制介导，包括体液（内分泌和旁分泌）途径以及接触依赖性（缝隙连接）途径。因此，类固醇生成或非类固醇生成细胞局部产生的激素、生长因子和细胞因子可能间接或直接在细胞间传递以调节黄体功能。缝隙连接存在于几种物种的黄体组织中，并且缝隙连接细胞间通讯受黄体发育阶段以及黄体功能的全身和局部调节因子影响。由于它们在协调各种黄体细胞类型之间的功能方面所起的作用，这种细胞间相互作用可能在黄体激素产生、信号转导、血管生成和黄体溶解中很重要。
