Human Seminal Plasma Fosters CD4+ Regulatory T‐cell Phenotype and Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 Expression
E Balandya, W Wieland‐Alter… - American Journal of …, 2012 - Wiley Online Library
E Balandya, W Wieland‐Alter, K Sanders, T Lahey
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2012•Wiley Online LibraryProblem Semen mediates expansion of CD 4+ regulatory T cells (T reg) in the murine
female reproductive tract. The impact of semen on T reg in humans, however, remains
unclear. Method of Study Using seminal plasma (SP) from 20 healthy donors, we
investigated the impact of human semen on CD 4+ T‐cell expression of CD 127 and CD 49d
as well as CD 4+ CD 127low CD 49dlow T reg proliferation, apoptosis, and intracellular
expression of F ox P 3, TGF‐β1, and IL‐10. Results SP reduced CD 4+ T‐cell expression of …
female reproductive tract. The impact of semen on T reg in humans, however, remains
unclear. Method of Study Using seminal plasma (SP) from 20 healthy donors, we
investigated the impact of human semen on CD 4+ T‐cell expression of CD 127 and CD 49d
as well as CD 4+ CD 127low CD 49dlow T reg proliferation, apoptosis, and intracellular
expression of F ox P 3, TGF‐β1, and IL‐10. Results SP reduced CD 4+ T‐cell expression of …
Problem
Semen mediates expansion of CD4+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in the murine female reproductive tract. The impact of semen on Treg in humans, however, remains unclear.
Method of Study
Using seminal plasma (SP) from 20 healthy donors, we investigated the impact of human semen on CD4+ T‐cell expression of CD127 and CD49d as well as CD4+ CD127low CD49dlow Treg proliferation, apoptosis, and intracellular expression of FoxP3, TGF‐β1, and IL‐10.
Results
SP reduced CD4+ T‐cell expression of CD127 and CD49d and increased the proportion of CD127low CD49dlow Treg. This increase was non‐proliferative, mediated in part via the conversion of CD4+ helper T cells into FoxP3− but not FoxP3+ Treg. Additionally, SP induced an increase in intracellular expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine TGF‐β1 by the FoxP3− but not FoxP3+ Treg. SP had no impact on Treg intracellular expression of IL‐10.
Conclusion
Human seminal plasma fosters the non‐proliferative increase in the proportion and immunoregulatory activity of FoxP3− Treg.
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