Endometrial Th2 cytokine expression throughout the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy.
Embryonic implantation and maintenance of pregnancy is influenced by the maternal immunological response. Type 2 T-helper (Th2) cells secrete interleukins 4, 5, 6 and 10 and are associated with suppression of cell-mediated immunity. Temporal changes in the expression of these cytokines were detectable by immunohistochemistry throughout the menstrual cycle. In pregnancy, 10-fold or greater increases in interleukin 6 and 10 secretion were detectable by enzyme-linked immunoassay compared with the non-pregnant state. The pattern of expression of Th2 cytokines suggests that progesterone may influence endometrial cytokine secretion. During pregnancy, Th2 expression paralleled that of vimentin, a stromal cell marker, suggesting that these cells may be a principal source of Th2 cytokines may be a mechanism of suppressing cell-mediated immunity in the endometrium, which may in turn enhance embryonic implantation and maintenance of pregnancy.
Krasnow
J S
JS
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women's Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Tollerud
D J
DJ
Naus
G
G
DeLoia
J A
JA
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D007378:Interleukins