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Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) enhances immunity against L. tropica by stimulating human macrophage functions
Author(s) -
ABU ALSHAMAT E.,
ALOKLA S.,
SOUKKARIEH C. H.,
KWEIDER M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2012.01368.x
Subject(s) - macrophage , human chorionic gonadotropin , immune system , leishmania tropica , biology , immunity , immunology , endocrinology , andrology , medicine , hormone , in vitro , biochemistry , cutaneous leishmaniasis , leishmaniasis
Summary During pregnancy, there are important changes in hormone levels such as the huge production of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is supposed to influence the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hCG on immune response against Leishmania , through the evaluation of the functions of human macrophages infected with L. tropica . This study demonstrated that hCG significantly increased the NO production by rHu‐IFNγ‐primed macrophages then infected with L. tropica , which was correlated with decrease in the number of infected macrophages as well as the number of amastigotes per macrophage in a dose‐dependent manner; however, the greatest effect was shown with the 250 U/mL concentration. The addition of the same concentration of hCG to rHu‐IFNγ‐primed macrophages caused also a major increase in both IL‐6 and IL‐12p40 production. In conclusion, hCG enhances different macrophage functions involved in immunity against L. tropica .