Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-23-2011

Publication Title

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

Department

Geisel School of Medicine

Abstract

During pregnancy the immune system of the mother must protect any activation that may negatively affect the fetus. Changes in susceptibility to infection as well as resolution of some autoimmune disorders represent empirical evidence for pregnancy related alterations in immunity. Sex hormones reach extremely high levels during pregnancy and have been shown to have direct effects on many immune functions including the antiviral response of dendritic cells. Among the immunologically active proteins secreted by monocyte derived DCs (MDDC) are the alpha-defensins 1-3. This family of cationic antimicrobial peptides has a broad spectrum of microbicidal activity and has also been shown to link innate to adaptive immunity by attracting T cells and immature DCs, which are essential for initiating and polarizing the immune response. We compare culture-generated monocyte derived DCs (MDDCs) with directly isolated myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and measure their alpha-defensins 1-3 secretion by ELISA both, in basal situations and after hormone (E2 or PG) treatments. Moreover, using a cohort of pregnant women we isolated mDCs from blood and also measure the levels of these anti-microbial peptides along pregnancy.

DOI

10.1186/1477-7827-9-118

Original Citation

Escribese MM, Rodríguez-García M, Sperling R, Engel SM, Gallart T, Moran TM. Alpha-defensins 1-3 release by dendritic cells is reduced by estrogen. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2011 Aug 23;9:118. doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-9-118. PMID: 21861873; PMCID: PMC3175176.

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