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Progesterone-induced immunosuppression is not mediated through the progesterone receptor.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Schust, DJ; Anderson, DJ; Hill, JA
Published in: Hum Reprod
May 1996

Progesterone is a known immunosupressant in humans and may be important in treatment regimens for women with immunological and endocrinological reproductive failure. The molecular mechanism of progesterone-mediated immunosuppression remains controversial. We used the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique to detect progesterone receptor RNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). No expression could be documented in PBMCs from men or women representing various reproductive states. We also used the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 43044 to address the hypothesis that progesterone exerts immunomodulatory effects via interactions with the glucocorticoid receptor. Both hydrocortisone (10(-6) and 10(-7) M) and progesterone (10(-5), 10(-6) and 10(-7) M) inhibited phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion. RU 43044 (10(-5) M) significantly reversed the immunosuppressive effect od hydrocortisone but not that of progesterone. These studies indicate that human PBMCs do not express the classical progesterone receptor. Our results further suggest that progesterone does not mediate its immunomodulatory effects via interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor. Interaction with other members of the steroid and thyroid hormone receptor superfamily, local conversion to other steroid substances or non-classical receptor-mediated mechanisms may be involved.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Hum Reprod

DOI

ISSN

0268-1161

Publication Date

May 1996

Volume

11

Issue

5

Start / End Page

980 / 985

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • RNA
  • Progesterone
  • Pregnancy
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Male
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Schust, D. J., Anderson, D. J., & Hill, J. A. (1996). Progesterone-induced immunosuppression is not mediated through the progesterone receptor. Hum Reprod, 11(5), 980–985. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a019335
Schust, D. J., D. J. Anderson, and J. A. Hill. “Progesterone-induced immunosuppression is not mediated through the progesterone receptor.Hum Reprod 11, no. 5 (May 1996): 980–85. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a019335.
Schust DJ, Anderson DJ, Hill JA. Progesterone-induced immunosuppression is not mediated through the progesterone receptor. Hum Reprod. 1996 May;11(5):980–5.
Schust, D. J., et al. “Progesterone-induced immunosuppression is not mediated through the progesterone receptor.Hum Reprod, vol. 11, no. 5, May 1996, pp. 980–85. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a019335.
Schust DJ, Anderson DJ, Hill JA. Progesterone-induced immunosuppression is not mediated through the progesterone receptor. Hum Reprod. 1996 May;11(5):980–985.
Journal cover image

Published In

Hum Reprod

DOI

ISSN

0268-1161

Publication Date

May 1996

Volume

11

Issue

5

Start / End Page

980 / 985

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • RNA
  • Progesterone
  • Pregnancy
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Male
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear