Modulating impact of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone on the maturation and function of hematopoietic cells

Abstract

hCG hormone is a naturally occurring, immune-modulating agent, which is highly expressed during pregnancy and causes improvements of some autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. Little is known about its immune-modulating effects. This study in MNCs of women who received hCG as preconditioning prior to IVF demonstrates that hCG increases anti-inflammatory IL-27 expression and reduces inflammatory IL-17 expression. In addition, we found increased IL-10 levels and elevated numbers of Tregs in peripheral blood of women after hCG application. Rejection of allogeneic skin grafts was delayed in female mice receiving hCG. We conclude that hCG may be useful for the induction of immune tolerance in solid organ transplantation.

Human chorionic gonadotropin and indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase in patients with GVHD

“…Our observed changes in immune modulation here are in line with this previous report. 3 Thus, we found a strong increase in IDO expression in PMNCs (sevenfold, at median, n = 12) and in IL10 serum levels (twofold, at median, n = 11) after 3 weeks of therapy with hCG. Further, an expansion of Treg cell population was measured in one patient and identified as CD25med-highCD127low cells in the CD4 gate after 2 weeks of therapy with hCG.…”

“…Expression levels of IDO, FOXP3, GAPDH (as housekeeping gene) were assessed using real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) performed with hybridization probes (TIB MOLBIOL, Berlin, Germany) and primers published (Invitrogen, Darmstadt, Germany) elsewhere. 3,13 …”

“…We had previously observed that the rejection of transplanted skin was significantly delayed by hCG in a mouse skin transplant model and had also demonstrated that the tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase gene expression (IDO), IL10 and T-regulatory cells (Tregs) increased significantly in females treated with hCG as preconditioning therapy for in vitro fertilization. 3 An immunosuppressive effect inducible by hCG has previously been demonstrated for IDO, in maternal-fetal acceptance, autoimmunity and GVHD. [4][5][6][7] Further, IL10 and Tregs are also known factors to induce tolerance in the transplant setting.…”

The actors of human implantation: gametes, embryo and endometrium

“…HCG also intervenes in the development of local immune tolerance through apoptosis via Fas/FasLigand (Kayisli et al, 2003). It also modulates the Th1/Th2 balance toward the Th2 pathway (Koldehoff et al, 2011). During pregnancy, the balance of Th1 (cell-mediated immunity) and Th2 (humoral immunity) cytokines is characterized by an initial prevalence (but not an exclusivity) of Th2 cytokines, followed by a progressive shift towards Th1 predominance late in gestation, that when is abnormal, may initiate and intensify the cascade of inflammatory cytokine production involved in adverse pregnancy outcomes (Challis et al, 2009).…”

Potential Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjögren Syndrome With Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

“…Treatment with hCG enhances the mobilization of tolerogenic dendritic cells, induces the upregulation of MHC class II antigens and IL-10 secretion, while keeping nontolerogenic dendritic cells immature, tissue bound, and promoted to undergo apoptosis. 24,69,76 8. hCG injections can delay the rejection of allogeneic skin grafts 72. …”