Effects of EPF treatment in human mononuclear cells

Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) is one of the earliest pregnancy associated signals, communicating the ensuing pregnancy to the maternal organism. Data published by others on the mouse suggest that EPF bound to spleen cells causes the release of two H2-restricted "suppressor factors" responsible for the rosette inhibiting activity of EPF in the rosette inhibition test. Using human material, we were able to detect the release of a second entity from mononuclear cells that is able to suppress rosette formation in the human rosette inhibition test. In an attempt to show an intracellular EPF effect in the target cell, cytosolic free calcium concentrations were measured in EPF-treated mononuclear cells from peripheral blood. Our findings did not, however, show any changes of intracellular free Ca(2+)-concentrations under the chosen conditions.