Luteal Cells from Functional and Regressing Bovine Corpora Lutea Differentially Alter the Function of Gamma Delta T Cells1

Abstract

The luteal microenvironment is thought to direct the function of resident immune cells to facilitate either luteal function or regression. To determine if luteal cells from functional (Days 10-12) and regressing (8 h after administration of prostaglandin F2alpha) corpora lutea (CL) induce different responses in γδ T cells, luteal cells were cocultured with autologous γδ T cells isolated from peripheral blood. Proliferation, functional phenotypes, and cytokine synthesis were analyzed by flow cytometry. To determine if the luteal cells from functional CL induce hyporesponsiveness in γδ T cells, γδ(+) cells were cocultured with midcycle luteal cells and further stimulated with concanavalin A. Coculture of γδ(+) cells with midcycle luteal cells did not inhibit concanavalin A-induced proliferation. In a proliferation assay, luteal cells from midcycle CL predominantly induced proliferation of γδ(+) WC1(-) cells (P < 0.05), while luteal cells from regressing CL predominantly induced proliferation of γδ(+)WC1(+) cells (P < 0.05). Analysis of intracellular cytokines indicated that midcycle luteal cells increased the proportion of γδ(+) cells containing interleukin 10 (P < 0.05), but reduced the proportion of γδ(+) cells containing interferon gamma (IFNG; P < 0.05). There were no changes in the proportions of γδ(+) cells synthesizing interleukin 4 or tumor necrosis factor. Unexpectedly, coculture of γδ(+) cells with luteal cells from regressing CL had no effect on any of the cytokines analyzed. These data support the hypothesis that the function of resident T cells is differentially modulated depending on the status of the CL.

Morphology and Histochemistry of the Corpus Luteum (CL) of Ovaries of Pregnant and Infertile Cows

“…In cows, the CL is represented by granulose-luteal cells of large size and by small theka-luteal cells. Thekaluteal cells are located mainly peripherally; they penetrate the thickness of the CL together with connective tissue trabeculae (Cools et al, 2013b;Walusimbi and Pate, 2014;Xavier et al, 2012). In cows, luteal cells of "average size" are described; they are allocated to a special class with significant morphofunctional features.…”

“…For many years, the morphology and function of bovine ovarian lutein structures have been the subject of intense research and discussion (Costa et al, 2020;Mogheiseh et al, 2020;Walusimbi and Pate, 2014;Xavier et al, 2012). The cellular composition of the CL has not been definitively determined (Fields and Fields, 1996;Fields et al, 1992;Parkinson et al, 1994).…”

“…Histologically, the bovine CL is formed by granulosa luteal cells of large size and small theka-luteal cells which are located in different zones (Cools et al, 2013a;Walusimbi and Pate, 2014;Xavier et al, 2012). Large luteal cells of cysts and cyclic CL have significant morphological differences.…”

Luteal Lipids Regulate Progesterone Production and May Modulate Immune Cell Function During the Estrous Cycle and Pregnancy

“…Luteal steroidogenic cells are potent activators of T cells (18), the luteal microenvironment programs resident T cells (48, 49), and alteration in activation state of luteal T cells has been implicated in both luteal regression (50) and luteal rescue (19). Pathway analysis using IPA indicated that four differentially abundant lipids, including 5-KETE and 5,15-DiHETE, and two endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonyl-glycerol may regulate activation of leukocytes.…”