IngentaConnect Progesterone During Pregnancy: EndocrineImmune Cross Talk in Mamm...

Authors: Arck, Petra¹; Hansen, Peter J²; Mulac Jericevic, Biserka³; Piccinni, Marie-Pierre⁴; Szekeres-Bartho, Julia⁵

Source: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Volume 58, Number 3, September 2007 , pp. 268-279(12)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

Progesterone is critical for the establishment and the maintenance of pregnancy, both by its endocrine and immunological effects. The genomic actions of progesterone are mediated by the intracellular progesterone receptors; A and B. A protein called P-induced blocking factor (PIBF), by inducing a T_H2 dominant cytokine production, mediates the immunological effects of progesterone. Progesterone plays a role in uterine homing of NK cells and up-regulates HLA-G gene expression, the ligand for various NK inhibitory receptors. At high concentrations progesterone is a potent inducer of Th2-type cytokines as well as of LIF and M-CSF production by T cells. Though a key role for progesterone in creating local immunosuppression has been conserved during the evolution of an epitheliochorial placenta, there has been some divergence in the pattern of endocrine-immunological cross talk in Bovidae. In sheep, uterine serpin, a progesterone-induced endometrial protein, mediates the immunosuppressive effects of progesterone. Epidemiological studies suggest the role of stress in premature pregnancy termination and exposure to stress induces abortion in mice via a significant reduction in progesterone levels, accompanied by reduced serum levels of PIBF. These effects are corrected by progesterone supplementation. These findings indicate the significance of a progesterone-dependent immuno-modulation in maternal tolerance of the fetus, which is discussed in this review.

Keywords: NK cells; pregnancy; progesterone

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2007.00512.x

Affiliations: 1: Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; 2: Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 3: Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 4: Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Department of Internal Medicine - Immunoallergology unit - viale Morgagni, Florence, Italy; 5: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology Medical School, Pecs University, Pecs, Hungary

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Progesterone During Pregnancy: Endocrine-Immune Cross Talk in Mammalian Species and the Role of Stress