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Immunohistochemical localization of interferon-gamma in normal human ovary
G Grasso1, A Asano, T Minagawa
1Institute of Human Anatomy, Italian Neuroimmunology Group, University of Siena.
Insights
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a cytokine, is present in the human ovary, particularly in preovulatory follicles. This suggests IFN-gamma plays a localized, paracrine role in ovarian function.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Immunology
- Ovarian Physiology
- Cytokine Signaling
Background:
- Cytokines are increasingly recognized as crucial intraovaran non-steroidal regulators.
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a cytokine produced by T lymphocytes.
- The role of IFN-gamma within the human ovary requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and localization of IFN-gamma within the human ovary.
- To correlate IFN-gamma presence with specific ovarian cell types and follicle development stages.
- To explore the potential paracrine function of IFN-gamma in ovarian physiology.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of IFN-gamma levels in follicular fluid, ovarian vein, and peripheral blood.
- Avidin-biotin immunocytochemical techniques to identify IFN-gamma-positive cells.
- Localization of IFN-gamma, HLA-DR, activated T cells, T helper/inducer cells, and T cytotoxic/suppressor cells.
Main Results:
- Low levels of IFN-gamma were detected in follicular fluid, ovarian vein, and peripheral blood.
- IFN-gamma-positive cells were exclusively found in preovulatory follicles, associated with the basal lamina, thecal vessels, and interstitial tissue.
- A high proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes were observed in the theca, interstitial tissue, and follicular cavity of large follicles, with few T helper/inducer cells.
Conclusions:
- The human ovary contains immunoreactive IFN-gamma.
- IFN-gamma is localized within preovulatory follicles, suggesting a role in late-stage follicular development.
- These findings support a paracrine function for IFN-gamma in human ovarian physiology.
Abstract:
There is increasing evidence that cytokines are important intraovarian non-steroidal regulators. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence in the human ovary of interferon (IFN)-gamma, a cytokine produced by T lymphocytes after mitogenic or antigenic stimulation. Very low levels of IFN-gamma (0.025-0.057 IU/ml) were found in follicular fluid of large spontaneously maturing follicles, in the ovarian vein (< 0.01-0.079 IU/ml) or peripheral blood (< 0.01-0.06 IU/ml). The avidin-biotin immunocytochemical technique, with appropriate monoclonal antibodies, was used to localize IFN-gamma-positive cells, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR molecules, activated T cells, T helper/inducer cells and T cytotoxic/suppressor cells. IFN-gamma-positive cells were only detected in preovulatory follicles, associated with the follicular basal lamina, thecal vessels and interstitial tissue. In the same large follicles very few T helper/inducer cells were detected, but a high proportion of T lymphocytes expressed the CD8 phenotype in the theca, interstitial tissue and follicular cavity. No IFN-gamma-positive cells were observed in preantral and small antral follicles. The results indicate that the human ovary contains immunoreactive IFN-gamma, suggesting that the cytokine plays a paracrine role in human ovarian function.