[Effect of Bushen Huoxue Recipe on Paracrine Gene Expression Profiling of Uterine Natural Killer Cells and Uterine Stromal Cells]

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of Bushen Huoxue Recipe (BHR) on paracrine gene expression profiling of uterine natural killer cells (uNK cells) and uterine stromal cells. Methods Human stromal cells were extracted from proliferative phase endometrium of child-bearing age females, which were then divided into the blank group, the control group, and the BHR group. DMEM/F12 was added in cells of the BHR group to dilute into final concentration of 2 mg/mL herbal liquor. Equal volume of DMEM/ F12 was added to cells in the normal group and the control group. Cells in the control group and the BHR group were cultured for 24 h, with 20% serum-free DMEM plus 80% uNK cell secretion extracting solution added. Then they were cultured in 5% CΟ₂ at 37 °C for 6 h. Total RNAs were extracted after culture. The gene expression profile of stromal cells was detected using gene chip technology. At the same time mR- NA and protein expressions of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) , IL-8, and leukocyte inhibitor factor (LIF) were screened and detected using qRT- PCR and ELISA. Results Compared with the blank group, profiles of differentiated genes with 4-fold in- crease (a total of 63 genes) were basically agreeable in the control group and the BHR group. Compared with the control group, IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15RA) was up-regulated by 1. 27 times, vascular endotheli- ai growth factor (VEGF) up-regulated by 1. 55 times, LIF up-regulated by 1. 45 times, IL-8 up-regulated by 1. 10 times, IL-11 up-regulated by 1. 23 times, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) up-regulated by 1. 40 times, epidermal growth factor (EGF) up-regulated by 1. 10 times, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 8 (CCL8) up-regulated by 1.13 times, transporter 1 (TAP1 ) up-regulated by 1. 02 times, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2) up-regulated by 1. 22 times, ICAM-1 up-regulated by 1. 15 times (P <0. 05) in the BHR group. Conclusion uNK paracrine played an important role in elevating endometrial receptivity and embry- o implantation, and BHR could improve and elevate the function of this paracrine system.