Inhibitory effect of progesterone on the phytohaemagglutinin- induced transformation of human peripheral lymphocytes.
Effect of sex steroids, progesterone and estradiol-17beta, on transformation of human lymphocytes induced by PHA was investigated. Responses of peripheral lymphocytes from non-pregnant women to PHA was markedly reduced in the presence of progesterone at a concentration of 10(3) or 10(4) ng/ml. Estradiol-17beta, on the other hand, had no effects on the PHA-induced transformation under the present experimental conditions. The immunosuppressive property of progesterone may contribute to depression of maternal cell-mediated immunity against fetus during pregnancy.
D004347:Drug Interactions; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D037102:Lectins; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol