Abstract
The effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on immune function have been extensively reported. The effects are dependent on concentration and duration of exposure and potential differences in signaling between the known E2 receptors, estrogen receptors (ER) α and ERβ. Through the use of ER-deficient mice, we and others have begun to demonstrate the role of the two known receptors in modulating immune functional activities. Previous studies have shown that cells of the innate immune system have altered function (bactericidal capacity) and patterns of cytokine expression (increased proinflammatory cytokine expression) through amelioration of ERα signaling. In this study, We extend these studies to analysis of T cell differentiation and proliferation in APC-dependent and APC-independent in vitro assay systems. Our results demonstrate that ERa deficiency in splenic macrophages, but not CD11c+ splenic dendritic cells pulsed with OVA significantly enhances proliferative responses and IFN-γ production by transgenic OVA peptide-specific (OT-II) CD4+ T cells when compared with Ag-pulsed APC from wild-type littermates. The addition of E2 in this culture system did not significantly affect the production of IFN-γ. In addition, when purified CD4+ T cells from ERα-deficieet and wild-type littermates were stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 Ab in the absence of E2, there were no significant differences an IFN-γ or IL-4 production. However, the addition of E2 significantly increased IL-4 secretion, as well as increased GATA-3 mRNA levels from ERa-replete CD4+ T cells, while this effect was abrogated in ERα-deficient CD4+ T cells.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 5716-5723 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 175 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2005 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology