Physiological dose of estrogen regulates extrathymic T cells in female mice.
Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in female C57BL/6 mice to investigate whether extrathymic T cells in the liver are regulated by physiological doses of estrogen or progesterone. Extrathymic T cells were identified using a two-color immunofluorescence test for CD3 and interleukin-2 receptor beta-chain (IL-2R beta) antigens. The T cells were identified as intermediate CD3+ cells with a high expression of IL-2R beta. It was further demonstrated that the proportion and number of intermediate CD3+ cells decreased in response to ovariectomy, an effect that was countered by estrogen administration. These results suggest that the activation of extrathymic T cells may be regulated by physiological levels of estrogen.
Yahata
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kurabayashi
T
T
Honda
A
A
Tojo
Y
Y
Tanaka
K
K
Abo
T
T
D000818:Animals; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone