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Progesterone Enhances Immunoregulatory Activity of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Via PGE 2 and IL ‐6
Author(s) -
Zhao Xiaoyin,
Liu Liu,
Liu Dan,
Fan Hongye,
Wang Yaping,
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.1600-0897.2012.01163.x
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , cytokine , chemistry , apoptosis , endocrinology , biology , medicine , andrology , immunology , biochemistry
Problem Progesterone ( P 4) plays a central role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. It also has profound effects on the regulation of immune responses. Mesenchymal stem cells ( MSC s), which are thought to have the ability to modulate immunocyte activation, are present in human endometrium and deciduas and highly express progesterone receptor ( PR ). Especially, during pregnancy, both P 4 and MSC s are present and regulatively changed at the fetal–maternal interface, but the effect of P 4 on the MSC s remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of P 4 on the immunomodulatory ability of MSC s and the underlying mechanisms. Method of study Mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from human umbilical cords. The effects of P 4 on the cell morphology, phenotype, proliferation, apoptosis, and expression levels of cytokine and protein were examined. Results Progesterone did not affect the phenotype, morphology, proliferation, and apoptosis of MSC s, but promoted the production of PGE 2 and IL ‐6 in MSC s. Furthermore, the up‐regulation of PGE 2 and IL ‐6 was related to the activation of p38 and NF ‐κB. Conclusions Progesterone enhances immunomodulatory function of MSC s through up‐regulation of PGE 2 and IL ‐6. The data suggest that P 4‐regulated MSC s may play a crucial role in modulating the local immune balance of fetal–maternal interface.