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09:13
Isolation, Transfection, and Culture of Primary Human Monocytes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Oral contraceptives modify DNA methylation and monocyte-derived macrophage function
Ilaria Campesi1, Manuela Sanna, Angelo Zinellu
1National Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine of the National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Osilo, Italy. ilacampesi79@yahoo.it.
Biology of Sex Differences
|January 31, 2012
Summary
Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) alter immune cell function by affecting macrophage responses and estrogen receptor expression. These changes, influenced by progestin properties, highlight the need for standardized COC use in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hormonal contraception use in fertile women during clinical trials is common but can alter internal biological environments.
- Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) may influence pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and macrophage function due to their impact on the milieu.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) on macrophage function.
- To determine if these effects differ based on the androgenic or non-androgenic properties of the progestin component of COCs.
Main Methods:
- Healthy women were divided into non-users (Fs) and COC users (FOCs), with FOCs further stratified by progestin type (androgenic FOCA+ vs. non-androgenic FOCA-).
- Evaluated routine hematological, biochemical, inflammatory, and endothelial dysfunction parameters.
- Assessed monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) for estrogen and androgen receptor expression/activity and TNFα release.
Main Results:
- COCs altered numerous hematological and hormonal parameters, including decreased endothelial function markers and global DNA methylation.
- COC use modified estrogen receptor expression and activation in MDMs, with variations based on progestin type.
- Macrophage TNFα release differed between groups: higher in unstimulated FOCs and lower in stimulated FOCs compared to Fs.
Conclusions:
- Combined oral contraceptive use significantly alters hematological markers, hormonal levels, endothelial function, and epigenetic profiles.
- These changes impact macrophage function, specifically affecting estrogen receptor expression and TNFα release, with some effects linked to progestin's androgenic properties.
- Standardizing COC type within clinical trials is recommended to prevent skewed results due to these immunomodulatory effects.
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