In vivo CD3+CD25+ lymphocyte subpopulation is down-regulated without increased serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) by gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a).
OBJECTIVE
To test further whether the suppression of the CD3+CD25+ lymphocyte subpopulation by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) is related to the change in levels of cytokines and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R).


METHODS
Twenty-seven infertile patients were enrolled under the long protocol of GnRH-a agonist (buserelin acetate) and superovulation with gonadotropin from our IVF-ET program. Peripheral B cells, NK cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the expression of CD69, CD25, HLA-DR, and CD71 antigens on the T cells were serially examined by dual-color flow cytometry. Serum levels of cytokines and sIL-2R were measured.


RESULTS
The B cells, NK cells, T cells, CD4+, CD8+ T cells, CD3+DR+, and CD3+CD71+ lymphocyte subpopulations were not changed after the use of GnRH-a. The CD25+ T cell subpopulation was significantly down-regulated, but the CD69+ T cell subpopulation was increased when the GnRH-a was used for approximately 2 wk. The serum levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and sIL-2R were not changed.


CONCLUSIONS
The GnRH-a had a transiently suppressive effect on CD25+ T cells, but a stimulatory effect on CD69+ T cells. However, the serum level of cytokines or sIL-2R did not change. These immunological modulations seems to be the result of interaction between GnRH-a and estrogen.
Ho
H N
HN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
Wu
M Y
MY
Chen
H F
HF
Chao
K H
KH
Yang
Y S
YS
Huang
S C
SC
Lee
T Y
TY
Gill
T J
TJ
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D002064:Buserelin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000276:immunology; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D002064:Buserelin; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D004958:Estradiol; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D000099192:CD69 Antigens