Human umbilical vein endothelial cells: A new source and potential target for corticotropin-releasing factor

Abstract: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a key role in the modulation of fetal-placental unit function during human pregnancy. CRF has a potent vasoactive action on fetal-placental circulation. As products secreted from endothelial cells affect vascular wall reactivity, we investigated whether cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) may represent a source and a target for CRF. With RT-PCR we showed that HUVEC express CRF and CRF receptor type 2 messenger ribonucleic acids. Cultured HUVEC also released CRF peptide in a time-dependent way, and the CRF release was differently regulated by various molecules. Dexamethasone decreased CRF release, whereas progesterone and 17 beta-estradiol markedly increased it. Forskolin and PGF(2 alpha) were potent stimulators of CRF release from HUVEC. Among the peptides, CRF secretion was stimulated by interleukin-1 beta and by endothelin-1.