Sperm modulate uterine immune parameters relevant to embryo implantation and reproductive success in mice.
Commun Biol
; 4(1): 572, 2021 05 14.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33990675
ABSTRACT
Seminal fluid factors modulate the female immune response at conception to facilitate embryo implantation and reproductive success. Whether sperm affect this response has not been clear. We evaluated global gene expression by microarray in the mouse uterus after mating with intact or vasectomized males. Intact males induced greater changes in gene transcription, prominently affecting pro-inflammatory cytokine and immune regulatory genes, with TLR4 signaling identified as a top-ranked upstream driver. Recruitment of neutrophils and expansion of peripheral regulatory T cells were elevated by seminal fluid of intact males. In vitro, epididymal sperm induced IL6, CXCL2, and CSF3 in uterine epithelial cells of wild-type, but not Tlr4 null females. Collectively these experiments show that sperm assist in promoting female immune tolerance by eliciting uterine cytokine expression through TLR4-dependent signaling. The findings indicate a biological role for sperm beyond oocyte fertilization, in modulating immune mechanisms involved in female control of reproductive investment.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Implantação do Embrião
/
Reprodução
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Espermatozoides
/
Útero
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Linfócitos T Reguladores
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Endométrio
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Tolerância Imunológica
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article