Abstract: Objective To study the effect of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on the expressions activin A, follistatin, and cripto in cultured
human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) form patients with endometriosis. Methods Cultured HESCs were stimulated with
250, 500, and 750pg/ml IL-1β, and the mRNA and protein expressions of activin A, follistatin, and cripto were assayed using
real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results IL-1β treatment
caused significant dose-dependent increments of the mRNA and protein expressions of activin A and follistatin and of the
mRNA expression of cripto in cultured HESCs. Conclusion IL-1β can affect the expressions of activin A, follistatin and cripto
in HESCs from patients with endometriosis.