title: Gamma-interferon inhibits rat granulosa cell differentiation in culture.
abstract: A growing body of evidence indicates that factors secreted by cells of the immune system can directly affect a variety of endocrine phenomena. In the present study we examined the direct effects of the cytokine, interferon (IFN), on FSH-stimulated steroidogenesis and LH/hCG receptor induction in rat granulosa cells. We show that gamma-IFN, but not alpha-IFN, inhibits FSH-stimulated progesterone, 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and estrogen production as well as gonadotropin-induced LH/hCG receptor formation in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that gamma-IFN may play a role in the maturation and differentiation of granulosa cells and thus may serve as a regulatory link between the immune and reproductive endocrine systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Gorospe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tuchel
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kasson
mesh_terms: D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004967:Estrogens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011974:Receptors, LH; D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone; C052610:3-hydroxypregn-4-en-20-one; D011374:Progesterone; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone