title: The immunomodulating effect of seminal plasma on T cells.
abstract: Seminal plasma (SP) contains immunomodulatory factors that may contribute to the formation of a tolerogenic environment at the embryo implantation site. The main focus of this study was to investigate the influence of SP on female T cells in the presence and absence of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in an in vitro model. Female PBMCs and T cells were incubated with SP from seminal fluid samples of known and variable sperm quality. The immediate effect of SP on the mRNA expression of CD25, IL-10, IFN-γ, and Foxp3 was measured. Furthermore, proliferative responses, cytokine production, and CD25 expression were determined. Exposure to SP leads to increased mRNA expression of CD25, IL-10, and Foxp3 in T cells. Induction of mRNA for IL-10 and CD25 was dependent on the presence of APCs. Both PBMCs and T cells exposed to SP showed a proliferative response and produced several cytokines. The proliferative effects of SP on T cells observed were independent of sperm quality parameters, cytokines or soluble HLA molecules in SP. Furthermore, the presence of SP induced a higher expression of CD25 on the membrane of CD4+ T cells. SP has a direct immunomodulatory effect on T cells, as reflected in a proliferative response and upregulation of Foxp3. The presence of APCs is needed to induce IL-10 and CD25 upregulation in T cells exposed to SP. In conclusion, SP has both a direct and an indirect effect mediated through APCs on T cells.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: t.meuleman@lumc.nl.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Meuleman
authors: Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Snaterse
authors: Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: van Beelen
authors: Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: J D H
authors: JD
authors: Anholts
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: G S K
authors: GS
authors: Pilgram
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: L A J
authors: LA
authors: van der Westerlaken
authors: Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Eikmans
authors: Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: F H J
authors: FH
authors: Claas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; C508609:IL10 protein, human; C508017:IL2RA protein, human; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D016753:Interleukin-10
keywords: APCs; Immunomodulation; PBMCs; Seminal plasma; T cells