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Human luteal cells express leukocyte functional antigen (LFA)-3
N Hattori1, M Ueda, H Fujiwara
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Japan.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Leukocyte functional antigen-3 (LFA-3) is expressed on human corpus luteum cells after ovulation. This suggests LFA-3 facilitates T-lymphocyte interaction with luteal cells, potentially influencing corpus luteum function during the luteal phase and pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Leukocyte functional antigen-3 (LFA-3) is a ligand for CD-2 on T-lymphocytes.
- The role of T-lymphocytes in corpus luteum (CL) function requires investigation.
- LFA-3 expression in the human CL has not been fully characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of LFA-3 in the human corpus luteum.
- To determine the role of LFA-3 in potential interactions between luteal cells and T-lymphocytes.
- To examine the regulation of LFA-3 expression on granulosa cells by cytokines.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence on frozen sections of human CL.
- Isolation and in vitro culture of human granulosa cells.
- Flow cytometry analysis of LFA-3 expression on cultured granulosa cells.
- Treatment of cultured cells with hCG, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 alpha.
Main Results:
- LFA-3 expression was detected on large luteal cells in the CL after ovulation, peaking in the midluteal phase.
- LFA-3 was also observed on large luteal cells in the CL of pregnancy.
- In vitro, LFA-3 expression on granulosa cells increased with culture time, particularly when treated with TNF-alpha.
- TNF-alpha significantly upregulated LFA-3 expression on granulosa cells compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- LFA-3 is a differentiation antigen of human granulosa cells.
- Large luteal cells express LFA-3, suggesting a mechanism for interaction with CD-2 positive T-lymphocytes in the CL.
- Cytokines, notably TNF-alpha, regulate LFA-3 expression on granulosa cells, indicating a role in immune cell-luteal cell communication.