Gonadotropins enhance HLA-DR antigen expression in human granulosa cells.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether HLA-DR expression in the human ovary is controlled by endocrine or immune mediators, we examined the effects of several lectins, lymphokines, and hormones on granulosa cells in vitro.


METHODS
HLA-DR antigens were detected by indirect immunofluorescence on granulosa cells obtained at oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization.


RESULTS
When cultured with concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, phytohemagglutinin, interleukin-1, or interleukin-2, granulosa cells failed to express HLA-DR antigens. Both interferon alfa and interferon beta induced only a modest expression of HLA-DR molecules (4.1% +/- 0.9% and 2.5% +/- 0.8%, respectively) in comparison with the marked increase in HLA-DR expression (25.2% +/- 2.8%), when granulosa cells were exposed to interferon gamma. The gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin alone were unable to induce HLA-DR antigens, but acted synergistically with interferon gamma to enhance expression in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of 0.1 and 10 IU/ml of follicle-stimulating hormone with 10,000 IU/ml of interferon gamma significantly increased expression by 11.5% +/- 2.5% and 15.5% +/- 2.7%, respectively, over that of interferon gamma alone. Similarly, 1 and 10 IU/ml of human chorionic gonadotropin produced a 7.8% +/- 2.0% and 12.4% +/- 2.2% increase in HLA-DR expression over baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies demonstrate that factors from both the immune and endocrine systems can interact to control HLA-DR expression in the ovary.
Tidey
G F
GF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Nelson
L M
LM
Phillips
T M
TM
Stillman
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D037102:Lectins; D008222:Lymphokines; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone