Modulation of Helper T Cytokines in Thymus during Early Pregnancy in Ewes.

Leying Zhang,Baoliang Liu,Bin Wang,Hao Mi,Zimo Zhao,Ling Yang

doi:10.3390/ani9050245

Leying Zhang, Baoliang Liu + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9050245

Copy DOI

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe thymus is a main organ of the immune system. Immune tolerance exists in maternal immune system during pregnancy. Helper T (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines regulate the functions of immune system. We found that early pregnancy affected the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in maternal thymus in sheep, which may be beneficial for normal pregnancy.There is an immune tolerance in maternal immune system during pregnancy, and thymus is a main organ of the immune system. Helper T (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines are involved in the regulation of immune system, but the modulation of Th cytokines in the thymus during early pregnancy is unclear in ewes. Thymuses were collected on day 16 of the estrous cycle, and on days 13, 16, and 25 of pregnancy in ewes. qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in the thymuses. There was a peak in the expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) on day 16 of pregnancy, an upregulation of tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-β), and a sustained expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4. Furthermore, there was a peak in the expression of IL-6 on day 13 of pregnancy, no expression of IL-6 on day 16 of the estrous cycle and day 25 of pregnancy, and an upregulation of IL-5 and IL-10 in the thymuses during early pregnancy. The immunohistochemistry results revealed that the IFN-γ and IL-6 proteins were limited to the stromal cells, capillaries, and thymic corpuscles. In conclusion, early pregnancy influenced the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines of maternal thymus in sheep.

Highlights

Helper T (Th) cytokines regulate the functions of the immune system, and Th1 and Th2 cells are defined by their cytokine secretion profiles [1]
Th2 cytokines are beneficial for humoral response, and a conspicuous Th2-bias exists in successful pregnancy [4,5]
Our previous study finds that IFN-γ is downregulated, and Th2 cytokines are upregulated in the bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during early pregnancy [7]

Summary

Introduction

Helper T (Th) cytokines regulate the functions of the immune system, and Th1 and Th2 cells are defined by their cytokine secretion profiles [1]. Cytokines (interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-β)) produced by Th1 lymphocytes induce cell-mediated cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses. Th2 cells produce Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10). Th1 cytokines are customarily harmful to successful pregnancy, and high levels of. Th1 cytokines are present in the abortion animals. Th2 cytokines are beneficial for humoral response, and a conspicuous Th2-bias exists in successful pregnancy [4,5]. There is a significant increase in Th1 cytokines in women, which is the potential immune cause for recurrent spontaneous abortions [6]. Our previous study finds that IFN-γ is downregulated, and Th2 cytokines are upregulated in the bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during early pregnancy [7].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion