The effects of stromal-derived factors and gonadotropins on rat ovarian surface epithelial cell proliferation and expression of c-Kit and Kit ligand.

Abstract

Although ovarian cancer is rare, it is the most deadly of gynaecological cancers. Unfortunately, still very little is known about the cells that give rise to 90% of ovarian cancers, the ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells, and much of the available data remains controversial. This project was designed to address the possible involvement of ovarian stromal/thecal cells in the regulation of OSE cell growth and Kit and KL expression. Such interactions are probably involved in normal OSE-stromal/thecal cell activities as well as in interactions occurring within inclusion cysts and leading to ovarian tumour formation. The regulation of rat OSE (ROSE) cell growth by theca-derived factors and gonadotropins was investigated by proliferation experiments and cell counts. The modulation of Kit and Kit ligand (KL) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in these cells by the same factors was investigated by Northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)