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Glucocorticoid Receptor Mediates the Effect of Progesterone on Uterine Natural Killer Cells
Author(s) -
Guo Wei,
Li Pengfei,
Zhao Guangfeng,
Fan Hongye,
Hu Yali,
Hou Yayi
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01114.x
Subject(s) - progesterone receptor , glucocorticoid receptor , mifepristone , endocrinology , medicine , biology , receptor , antiglucocorticoid , flow cytometry , decidua , glucocorticoid , microbiology and biotechnology , fetus , pregnancy , placenta , estrogen receptor , genetics , cancer , breast cancer
Problem Uterine natural killer cells (u NK ) do not express progesterone receptor, but express glucocorticoid receptor ( GR ). So, we speculate that progesterone may regulate u NK cells through a GR ‐mediated process. Method of Study After mouse NK cells were stimulated with C p G with or without IL ‐12 in the presence or absence pre‐treatment of progesterone, the effects of progesterone on NK via GR were investigated by using RU 486 (progesterone receptor and GR antagonist) and CDB ‐2914 (progesterone receptor antagonist). The expressions of CD 69 and IFN ‐γ were determined by flow cytometry and q PCR . Phosphorylation of I κ B and STAT 4 was determined by Western blot. Furthermore, we purified u NK cells from human decidual tissues using anti‐ CD 56 microbeads to verify the effect of progesterone on u NK via GR . Results Progesterone suppressed CD 69 and IFN ‐γ expression of mouse spleen NK cells and human u NK cells induced by C p G combined with IL ‐12. CDB ‐2914 had no effect on IFN ‐γ expression suppressed by progesterone, while RU 486 could abolish the inhibitory effect of progesterone. In addition, progesterone could decrease the phosphorylation of both STAT 4 and I κ B . Conclusions In the present study, we first prove that progesterone can regulate NK cells via GR . It is valuable for further understanding the role of u NK in progesterone regulated gestation process.