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Alanazi H, Zhang Y, Fatunbi J, Luu T, Kwak-Kim J. The impact of reproductive hormones on T cell immunity; normal and assisted reproductive cycles. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 165:104295. [PMID: 39053203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
During pregnancy, a unique immune milieu is established systemically and locally at the maternal-fetal interface. While preparing for embryonic implantation, endometrial effectors significantly change their proportions and function, which are synchronized with hormonal changes. During assisted reproductive technology cycles, various cytokines, chemokines, and immune factors dynamically change with the altered receptor expressions on the immune effectors. Thus, the hormonal regulation of immune effectors is critical to maintaining the immune milieu. In this review, hormonal effects on T cell subsets are reviewed. Sex hormones affect T cell ontogeny and development, consequently affecting their functions. Like other T cell subsets, CD4+ T helper (Th) cells are modulated by estrogen, where low estrogen concentration promotes Th1-driven cell-mediated immunity in the uterus and in vitro by enhancing IFN-γ production, while a high estrogen level decreases it. The abundance and differentiation of T regulatory (Treg) cells are controlled by estrogen, inducing Treg expansion. Conversely, progesterone maintains immune homeostasis by balancing Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immunity, leading to maternal-fetal tolerance. Therefore, the understanding of the hormonal impact on various T cell subsets during the reproductive cycles is critical to improving reproductive outcomes in women with recurrent pregnancy losses, repeated implantation failures, and undergoing assisted reproductive cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hallah Alanazi
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, USA; IVF and Reproductive Endocrinology Department, Women's Health Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, USA; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Guangzhou Road 300, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Joy Fatunbi
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, USA
| | - Than Luu
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, USA
| | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, USA.
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Moon S, Yun B, Lee M, Seok E, Ha J, Yang H. Gonadotropins Regulate the mRNA Expression of Gonadotropin-Releasing
Hormone and Its Receptors in the Mouse Ovary and Uterus. Dev Reprod 2024; 28:1-12. [PMID: 38654976 PMCID: PMC11034991 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2024.28.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a critical hormone produced in the hypothalamus, is essential for regulating reproductive processes. It has also been demonstrated the presence of GnRH and its receptors (GnRHR) in ovarian and uterine tissues, but little was known about the regulation mechanism of their expression in these organs and ovarian aging. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of GnRHR in the ovary and uterus of mice, particularly after high-dose gonadotropin treatments and in relation to aging. Quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that pituitary gland had the highest GnRHR expression in both young and aged mice. In addition, liver expression was higher in young mice, whereas thymus expression was higher in aged mice. GnRHR mRNA was present in the ovaries of both young and aged mice but nearly undetectable in the uterus of aged mice. We next examined the expression of GnRHR in the ovary and uterus in response to high-dose administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). After PMSG administration, GnRH mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the ovary but increased in the uterus. The expression of GnRH mRNA in these organs showed opposite trends to that of GnRHR expression. These results suggest the involvement of GnRH in age-related reproductive decline and the potential effects of high-dose gonadotropin treatments on reproductive organ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soeun Moon
- Department of Bioenvironmental
Technology, College of Sciences Technology Convergence, Seoul Women’s
University, Seoul 01797, Korea
| | - Bokyeong Yun
- Department of Bioenvironmental
Technology, College of Sciences Technology Convergence, Seoul Women’s
University, Seoul 01797, Korea
| | - Minju Lee
- Department of Bioenvironmental
Technology, College of Sciences Technology Convergence, Seoul Women’s
University, Seoul 01797, Korea
| | - Eunji Seok
- Department of Biohealth Convergence,
College of Sciences Technology Convergence, Seoul Women’s
University, Seoul 01797, Korea
| | - Jinah Ha
- Department of Biohealth Convergence,
College of Sciences Technology Convergence, Seoul Women’s
University, Seoul 01797, Korea
| | - Hyunwon Yang
- Department of Biohealth Convergence,
College of Sciences Technology Convergence, Seoul Women’s
University, Seoul 01797, Korea
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Pan F, Du H, Tian W, Xie H, Zhang B, Fu W, Li Y, Ling Y, Zhang Y, Fang F, Liu Y. Effect of GnRH immunocastration on immune function in male rats. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1023104. [PMID: 36713429 PMCID: PMC9880316 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1023104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to reveal the effects of immunocastration on the development of the immune system in rats. Seventy rats were randomly assigned into two groups: Control (n = 35) and immunized (n = 35). Twenty-day-old rats were immunized with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and booster immunization was administered every two weeks (three immunizations in total). From 20-day-old rats, we collected samples every two weeks, including five immunized rats and five control rats (seven collections in total). We collected blood samples, testicles, thymuses, and spleens. The results showed that GnRH immunization increased the GnRH antibody titers and reduced the testosterone concentration (both P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of CD4+CD8- cells, CD4-CD8+ cells, and CD4+CD8+ cells increased (P < 0.05) whereas the number of CD4-CD8- cells and CD4+CD25+ cells reduced in the immunized group (P < 0.05) over time. GnRH immunization also increased the relative weights of thymus and spleen (P < 0.05), serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) over time (P < 0.05), and changed the mRNA levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6. IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ, CD4, D8, CD19 GnRH, and GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) in thymus and spleen. Thus, GnRH immunization enhanced the immune markers in thymus, spleen, and blood immune cytokines in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Pan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huiting Du
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Weiguo Tian
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huihui Xie
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bochao Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wanzhen Fu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang, Anhui, China
| | - Yinghui Ling
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang, Anhui, China
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang, Anhui, China
| | - Fugui Fang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang, Anhui, China,*Correspondence: Ya Liu, ; Fugui Fang,
| | - Ya Liu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang, Anhui, China,*Correspondence: Ya Liu, ; Fugui Fang,
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Cao N, Cao L, Gao M, Wang H, Zhang L, Yang L. Changes in mRNA and protein levels of gonadotropin releasing hormone and receptor in ovine thymus, lymph node, spleen, and liver during early pregnancy. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2021; 76:106607. [PMID: 33582417 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2021.106607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There exists maternal immunological modification in maternal immune organs during early pregnancy in mammals. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is widely distributed in vertebrate tissues, including immune organs. However, it is unclear that early pregnancy induces expression of GnRH and GnRH receptor (GnRHR) in ovine immune organs. The objective of this study was to explore the expression of GnRH and GnRHR in main immune organs (thymus, lymph node, spleen, and liver) during early pregnancy in sheep. Ovine thymus, lymph node, spleen and liver were sampled at day 16 of estrous cycle, and days 13, 16, and 25 of pregnancy. The expression of GnRH and GnRHR was detected through real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. The results indicated that early pregnancy induced upregulation of mRNA and protein levels of GnRH and GnRHR in the maternal lymph node, spleen and liver, and mRNA and protein of GnRH in the maternal thymus, but mRNA and protein of GnRHR decreased in the maternal thymus during early pregnancy. In summary, the mRNA and protein levels of GnRH and GnRHR were changed in maternal thymus, lymph node, spleen and liver in a tissue specific manner during early pregnancy in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Cao
- School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
| | - L Cao
- School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
| | - M Gao
- School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
| | - H Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
| | - L Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
| | - L Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China.
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