title: The immunodepressive effect of human glucoproteins and their possible role in the nonrejection process during pregnancy.
abstract: Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and human chorionic somatomammotrophin (HCS) were shown to suppress the proliferative T and B cell response induced by different mitogens in human and mouse lymphocytes. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), sharing the alpha-chain subunit with HCG was devoid of effect suggesting that the immunosuppressive entity is localized within the beta-chain subunit. Human growth hormone (HGH) which is partly biologically cross-reactive with HCS did not impair mitogen responsiveness. HCG was also able to inhibit the differentiation of cells since the induction of antibody-formation was depressed. Expression of plaque forming cells was also reduced by addition of HCG directly in the PFC assay possibly reflecting the anti-complementary effect of this hormone, since cell mediated lysis of target cells by Con A activated lymphocytes, which is not complement-dependent, was unaffected by adding HCG in the assay system.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000502:physiology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010928:Placental Lactogen / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008934:Mitogens; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D004247:DNA; D010928:Placental Lactogen