title: Progesterone favors the development of human T helper cells producing Th2-type cytokines and promotes both IL-4 production and membrane CD30 expression in established Th1 cell clones.
abstract: The effect of progesterone (P) on the cytokine production profile of Ag-specific human CD4+ T cell lines and clones was investigated. T cell lines specific for purified protein derivative or streptokinase (SK) derived in the presence of P exhibited significant increased ability to produce IL-5 in comparison with T cell lines derived in the absence of P. Moreover, IL-4 was significantly increased in SK-specific T cell lines derived in the presence of P in comparison with SK-specific T cell lines derived in the absence of this hormone. In addition, SK-specific T cell lines generated in the presence of P developed into T cell clones showing a Th0-, instead of Th1-like, cytokine profile. Furthermore, SK-specific T cell clones with an established Th1 profile of cytokine secretion did express mRNA for, and produced detectable amounts of, IL-4 when stimulated with P in combination with insoluble anti-CD3 mAb. Combined stimulation with P and insoluble anti-CD3 mAb also enabled Th1 clones to express CD30 on their surface membrane. These results indicate that P can favor the development of Th cells producing Th2-type cytokines and is an inducer of both transient IL-4 production and CD30 expression in established Th1 cells. Thus, P production at the placental level may be responsible, at least in part, for increased production of Th2-type cytokines which have been implied in fetal allograft survival and maintenance of successful pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Piccinni
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Giudizi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biagiotti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beloni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giannarini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sampognaro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parronchi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manetti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Annunziato
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Livi
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D000939:Epitopes / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000494:pharmacology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes; D015848:Interleukin-5; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014373:Tuberculin; D015847:Interleukin-4; D011374:Progesterone; D013300:Streptokinase