Direct and Indirect endocrine-mediated suppression of human endometrial CD8+T cell cytotoxicity

Regulation of endometrial (EM) CD8+T cells is essential for successful reproduction and protection against pathogens. Suppression of CD8+T cells is necessary for a tolerogenic environment that promotes implantation and pregnancy. However, the mechanisms regulating this process remain unclear. Sex hormones are known to control immune responses directly on immune cells and indirectly through the tissue environment. When the actions of estradiol (E-2), progesterone (P) and TGF beta on EM CD8+T cells were evaluated, cytotoxic activity, perforin and granzymes were directly suppressed by E-2 and TGF beta but not P. Moreover, incubation of polarized EM epithelial cells with P, but not E-2, increased TGF beta secretion. These findings suggest that E-2 acts directly on CD8+T cell to suppress cytotoxic activity while P acts indirectly through induction of TGF beta production. Understanding the mechanisms involved in regulating endometrial CD8+T cells is essential for optimizing reproductive success and developing protective strategies against genital infections and gynecological cancers.

Automated summary

Sex hormones play a crucial role in regulating endometrial CD8+T cells, with estradiol directly suppressing cytotoxic activity and progesterone indirectly inducing TGF beta production. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for optimizing reproductive success and developing strategies to prevent infections and cancers.