Immunomodulators in human seminal plasma: a vital protection for spermatozoa in the presence of infection?

Rw, Kelly

doi:10.1046/j.1365-2605.1999.00142.x

Cited by 27 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 118 publications

(103 reference statements)

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“…PGE 2 and its derivates are present at very high concentrations in human seminal plasma: the primary forms PGE 1 and PGE 2 are found at concentrations .70 mg/ml, whereas the hydroxylated form 19-OH-PGE 2 reaches values .250 mg/ml (8). In fact, PGE 2 is present at ∼10,000-fold higher concentration in seminal plasma than that produced locally at inflammation sites (56). Although PGE 2 and PGE 1 act through EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 receptors, 19-OH-PGE 2 is specific for the EP2 receptor (37,38).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Semen Promotes the Differentiation of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells

Lenicov

Rodrígues

Sabatté

et al. 2012

The Journal of Immunology

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Seminal plasma is not just a carrier for spermatozoa. It contains high concentrations of cytokines, chemokines, and other biological compounds that are able to exert potent effects on the immune system of the receptive partner. Previous studies have shown that semen induces an acute inflammatory response at the female genital mucosa after coitus. Moreover, it induces regulatory mechanisms that allow the fetus (a semiallograft) to grow and develop in the uterus. The mechanisms underlying these regulatory mechanisms, however, are poorly understood. In this study, we show that seminal plasma redirects the differentiation of human dendritic cells (DCs) toward a regulatory profile. DCs differentiated from human monocytes in the presence of high dilutions of seminal plasma did not express CD1a but showed high levels of CD14. They were unable to develop a fully mature phenotype in response to LPS, TNF-α, CD40L, Pam2CSK4 (TLR2/6 agonist), or Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2 agonist). Upon activation, they produced low amounts of the inflammatory cytokines IL-12p70, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, but expressed a high ability to produce IL-10 and TGF-β. Inhibition of the PG receptors E-prostanoid receptors 2 and 4 prevented the tolerogenic effect induced by seminal plasma on the phenotype and function of DCs, suggesting that E-series PGs play a major role. By promoting a tolerogenic profile in DCs, seminal plasma might favor fertility, but might also compromise the capacity of the receptive partner to mount an effective immune response against sexually transmitted pathogens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Semen Promotes the Differentiation of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells

Lenicov

Rodrígues

Sabatté

et al. 2012

The Journal of Immunology

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“…Furthermore, they orchestrate leukocyte trafficking and activate uterine epithelial cytokine expression, such as GM-CSF and IL-6 (Robertson et al 1992, Tremellen et al 1998. Several of the cytokines found in murine seminal plasma have been credited with immunosuppressive activity, including IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 (Kelly 1999, Robertson & Sharkey 2001.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiplex determination of murine seminal fluid cytokine profiles

Gopichandran¹,

Ekbote²,

Walker³

et al. 2006

Reproduction

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“…Typical causes of non-inflammatory leukocytospermia are immune and auto-immune processes, as well as a response to cell debris caused by abnormal production or degeneration of spermatozoa (13). Moreover, specific substances in semen such as polyamines and prostasomes are involved in the inflammatory process with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects (15). Another theory of the immune response to infectious agents in semen ascribes the main role to prostaglandins.…”

Section: Inflammation In the Male Genital Tract Elastase Release Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Semen Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil Leukocyte Elastase as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker of Genital Tract Inflammation – A Review

Zorn

Sešek‐Briški²,

Osredkar³

et al. 2003

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

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Elastase is a protease released by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) during the inflammatory process. Since 1987, seminal elastase-inhibitor complex (Ela/alpha1-PI) has been proposed as a marker of male silent genital tract inflammation. Measured by immunoassay in seminal plasma, Ela/alpha1-PI at a cut-off level of > or = 230 microg/l, is useful in the detection of genital tract inflammation. The prevalence of increased seminal Ela/alpha1-PI in infertile men is significantly higher than that observed in fertile men. The Ela/alpha1-PI level is positively correlated with other seminal fluid markers of male genital tract inflammation: reduced semen volume, citric acid, fructose, and increased albumin, complement component C3, caeruloplasmin, immunoglobulins IgG and IgA, and cytokines interleukins-8 and -6. A higher seminal Ela/alpha1-PI level is significantly associated with tubal damage in female partners. After antibiotic therapy, a decrease of Ela/alpha1-PI level is observed. The presence of tubal damage in the partner may negatively affect the response to antibiotic treatment. A higher seminal Ela/alpha1-PI is associated with lower percentage of sperm with single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and better fertilization rate in in vitro fertilization. Besides infertility, the determination of Ela/alpha1-PI is useful to confirm the presence of prostate and other male accessory gland bacterial inflammation. Screening for PMN Ela/alpha1-PI is easy to perform and reproducible and is a reliable quantitative test for diagnosis and prognosis of silent genital tract inflammation of couples. Moreover, sequential determinations allow the follow-up of inflammation during and after therapy.

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Immunomodulators in human seminal plasma: a vital protection for spermatozoa in the presence of infection?

Cited by 27 publications

References 118 publications

Semen Promotes the Differentiation of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells

Semen Promotes the Differentiation of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells

Multiplex determination of murine seminal fluid cytokine profiles

Semen Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil Leukocyte Elastase as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker of Genital Tract Inflammation – A Review

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