Luteinizing Hormone Contributes to Fetal Tolerance by Regulating Adaptive Immune Responses. (5th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schumacher, Anne; Poloski, Eileen; Spörke, Dominique; Zenclussen, Ana C.
• Is Part Of: American journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 71:Number 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 434
• Page End: 440
• Publication Date: 2014-03-05
• Subjects: Human reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; 616.69206
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.12215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-7408

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aji12215-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="aji12215-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Problem</title> <p>Pregnancy hormones were proposed to be crucially involved in fetal tolerance. Recently, we showed that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) not only increases the number and activity of regulatory T cells (Treg) but also retains tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs). Here, we investigate whether the highly homologous luteinizing hormone (LH) modulates Treg number and DC phenotype and thereby supports pregnancy.</p> </sec> <sec id="aji12215-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method of study</title> <p>Abortion‐prone females were treated with LH or PBS on different gestation days. Pregnancy outcome and the number and phenotype of Treg and DCs were evaluated in the periphery and locally.</p> </sec> <sec id="aji12215-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>We discovered that LH application completely prevented fetal rejection in abortion‐prone females. This protective effect was associated with a Treg augmentation peripherally and locally. Moreover, LH reduced the number of total and mature DCs.</p> </sec> <sec id="aji12215-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Our data suggest that LH, similar to hCG, is involved in the regulation of adaptive immune responses, thus contributing to fetal tolerance.</p> </sec> </abstract>