Interleukin 1β Regulates Progesterone Metabolism in Human Cervical Fibroblasts

Progesterone plays a critical role in regulating cervical structure necessary for pregnancy maintenance. Preterm labor and early cervical ripening are often associated with localized infection. We hypothesized that proinflammatory cytokines enhance progesterone metabolism in human cervical fibroblasts (HCFs) in vitro, through the regulation of the expression of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (aldo-keto reductase [AKR]1C1, AKR1C2, or AKR1C3), 5α-reductase type 1 (5α-RDT1), and/or 17β-hydroxysteroid dehyrogenases (17β-HSD) type 1 and 2. The expression of both progesterone receptor (PR) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) was also studied. Human cervical fibroblasts were found to express AKR1C1, C2, and C3, with AKR1C1 exhibiting the greatest expression. These cells also expressed 5α-RDT1 and 17β-HSD1 and 2, albeit to a lesser level compared to the aldo-keto reductases. The fibroblasts also expressed both PR and ERα. Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) significantly increased the expression of AKR1C1 and C2 but not C3 but d...