Korean J Fertil Steril.  1997 Dec;24(3):399-405.

The Effects of Progesterone on Cell Mediated Immunity to Trophoblast in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

• Choi BC
• Hill JA

Abstract

Progesterone is necessary for successful pregnancy and had immunosuppressive properties. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from many women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion responded to trophoblast extract in vitro by prolifertion and releasing soluble, heat-labile factors that are toxic to mouse embryos (embryotoxic factors). Accumulating evidence suggests that T Helper (Th)-1 type immunity to trophoblast is correlated with embryotoxic factor production and is associated with pregnancy loss, while Th2-type immunity is associated with successful gestation. The objective of this study was to determine whether progesterone can inhibit Thl-type cytokine secretion (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) by trophoblast-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 nonpregnant women (age 25-35) with unexplained recurrent abortion (median 5, range 3 to 15)who otherwise produce embryotoxic factors in response to trophoblast. We also determined whether progesterone affected Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) in this system in vitro and if IL-10 (1,500 pg/mL) could inhibit Thl-type immunity to trophoblast. IFN-gamma was detected in 17 of 23 (74%) trophoblast stimulated PBMC culture supernatants (77.94+/-23.79 pg/mL) containing embryotoxic activity. TNF-alpha was detected in 19 (83%) of these same supernatants (703.15+/-131.36 pg/mL). In contrast, none of the supernatants contained detectable levels of IL-4 or IL-10. Progesterone (10-5, 10-7, 10-9M) inhibited Thl-type immunity in a dose dependent manner, but had no effect on Th2-type cytokine secretion. The inhibitory effects of progesterone were abrogated with RU486, but did not affect Th2-type cytokine secretion in trophoblast-activated cell cultures. IL-10, like progesterone also inhibited Thl-type cytokine secretion but had no effect on Th2-type cytokines. These data suggest that therapies designed to suppress Thl-type cytokine secretion in women with recurrent abortion who have evidence of Thl-type immunity to trophoblast may be efficacious in preventing pregnancy loss and should be tested in appropriately designed clinical trials.

MeSH Terms

Abortion, Habitual
Abortion, Spontaneous
Animals
Cell Culture Techniques
Cytokines
Embryonic Structures
Female
Humans
Immunity, Cellular*
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-4
Mice
Mifepristone
Pregnancy*
Progesterone*
Trophoblasts*
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Cytokines
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-4
Mifepristone
Progesterone
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha