Figure 1.

PGE₂ inhibits CD36 expression in normal and endometriotic macrophages. A: Macrophages from normal women were treated with 10 μM PGE₂ or vehicle for 24 hr, and expression of scavenger receptors was determined by RT-PCR. This experiment was done four times using different batches of macrophages, and the results were similar. B: Normal (N) and endometriotic (E) macrophages were cultured for different periods as indicated in the absence (control) or presence of PGE₂, and levels of CD36 were quantified by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Data represent the mean and standard deviation (SD) of four independent experiments using different batches of cells and were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measurement. C: U937 monocytic cells were treated with 10 nM TPA for various periods as indicated, and CD36 mRNA expression was quantified by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Data represent the mean and SD of three independent experiments. D, E: U937 cells were incubated with TPA for 48 hr and then treated with PGE₂ (10 μM) for 24 hr or 48 hr. Expression of CD36 mRNA (D) and protein (E) was determined (β-actin served as a loading control). The arrowhead indicates the glycosylated membrane form of CD36. Molecular size markers (kDa) are shown to the left. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.