The effect of progesterone on stimulating PBMC to produce IFN-γ and IL-4 during normal early pregnancy and spontaneous abortion

Objective To explore the effect and significance of progesterone in stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to produce IFN-γ and IL-4 during normal early pregnancy and spontaneous abortion. Methods The PBMC were isolated from 21 blood samples of patients with early spontaneous abortion of unknown reason and 26 of normal early pregnancy, followed by culturing with PHA, either stimulated by progesterone or not. After three day's culture the level of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the medium were determined by ELISA. Results 1 Without progesterone, the level of IL-4 in abortion group was much lower than normal ( P 0 01), yet the level of IFN-γ showed no significant difference between the two groups. 2 In abortion group, the level of IFN-γ after treated with progesterone was much lower than without progesterone ( P 0 01) and no significant difference was observed in the level of IL-4 In normal pregnancy group, the results were similar to abortion group. Conclusions Progesterone may decrease the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ produced by PBMC in normal early pregnancy, when Th2 immune response plays the primary role.