Effects of Human Seminal Plasma on Humoral and Cellular Immune Response in Mice

Lee, Yong Ho; Park, Young Kyung; Ha, Tai Yu

Abstract

Although it has been known that human seminal plasma (HSP) suppresses immune responses, there is little data concerning in vivo effects on humoral and cellular immune responses, particularly on immediate hypersensitivity. Thus, the present study was undertaken in an effort to investigate the in vivo effect of HSP on humoral and cellular immune responses, including active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in mice. The immune responses investigated were delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) or human sperm antigen, hemagglutinin response, and active systemic anaphylaxis induced by egg albumin (OVA). Effect of HSP on Candida albicans infection was also studied. It was found that intraperitoneal administration of HSP before or after immunization with SRBC significantly suppressed the DTH to SRBC. HSP given after immunization with SRBC failed to suppress hemagglutinin response whereas HSP given before immunization with SRBC significantly suppressed the hemagglutinin response. Interestingly, intravaginal administration of HSP together with human sperm significantly suppressed DTH to human sperm as measured by footpad swelling reactions. HSP inhibited phagocytic function of macrophage and enhanced germ tube producing phagocytosed yeasts. Colony forming unit (CFU) of Candida albicans in kidneys of HSP-treated mice were enumerated. HSP given to mice before infection significantly increased the number of CFU in kidneys, strongly suggesting that HSP may decrease the resistance of mice to Candida infection. For the ASA experiment, mice were sensitized by i.p. injection of 500 ug OVA, 1.0 mg alum and 2x1000000000 Bordetella pertussis in 0.5 ml PBS and were challenged by i.v. inje-ction of 0.25 ml PBS containing 500 big OVA 18 days after sensitization. Surpris-ingly,HSP injection before ASA induction inhibited intensity of ASA and improved survival of anaphylaxis. Taken together, this study strongly suggests that HSP may suppress in vivo immediate and delayed immune responses and that HSP may decrease the resistance against Candida albicans infection, and this study may be the first to show the immunosuppressive effect of HSP on the induction of active systemic anaphylaxis.