The impact of chronic estrogen deprivation on immunologic parameters in the ovariectomized rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) model of menopause.
A large clinical literature suggests that estradiol (E(2)) plays a critical role in immune function. To further explore the relationship between E(2) and immune function, we examined a variety of immunological parameters in a rhesus monkey model of menopause and hormone replacement therapy. Rhesus monkeys (Age, 13.7+/-2.6 years) were ovariectomized and received either sham (n=10) or estradiol (n=10) replacement implants. Nine months post-ovariectomy, a variety of immunologic parameters were measured. E(2)-deprivation reduced natural killer cell activity and increased serum soluble gp130 levels. There was a trend for an increased proportion of CD8(+) (P=0.12) and HLA-DR(+)CD3(+) cells (P=0.15) and decreased proportion of eosinophils (P=0.11) in the E(2)-deprived monkeys. There was no difference in leukocyte distribution, CD28, CD56, CD4, CD8/CD45, colony forming units-granulocyte/monocytes formation, peripheral blood mononuclear cell apoptotic rate, or serum TNF, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, IL-6, soluble IL-6R, and IL-1 between the groups. These data demonstrate that E(2)-deprivation affects several aspects of immune function. These findings may have implications for menopause-associated changes of immune function that occur in women.
Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, Rm 5304 CCGCB, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0940, USA. etkeller@umich.edu
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D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004343:Drug Implants; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008593:Menopause / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D010052:Ovariectomy
D016207:Cytokines; D004343:Drug Implants; D004967:Estrogens; D004958:Estradiol