| First Author | Moldenhauer LM | Year | 2010 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 185 |
| Issue | 11 | Pages | 7085-96 |
| PubMed ID | 20974989 | Mgi Jnum | J:167366 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4868136 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.1001374 |
| Citation | Moldenhauer LM, et al. (2010) GM-CSF is an essential regulator of T cell activation competence in uterine dendritic cells during early pregnancy in mice. J Immunol 185(11):7085-96 |
| abstractText | Uterine dendritic cells (DCs) are critical for activating the T cell response mediating maternal immune tolerance of the semiallogeneic fetus. GM-CSF (CSF2), a known regulator of DCs, is synthesized by uterine epithelial cells during induction of tolerance in early pregnancy. To investigate the role of GM-CSF in regulating uterine DCs and macrophages, Csf2-null mutant and wild-type mice were evaluated at estrus, and in the periconceptual and peri-implantation periods. Immunohistochemistry showed no effect of GM-CSF deficiency on numbers of uterine CD11c(+) cells and F4/80(+) macrophages at estrus or on days 0.5 and 3.5 postcoitum, but MHC class II(+) and class A scavenger receptor(+) cells were fewer. Flow cytometry revealed reduced CD80 and CD86 expression by uterine CD11c(+) cells and reduced MHC class II in both CD11c(+) and F4/80(+) cells from GM-CSF-deficient mice. CD80 and CD86 were induced in Csf2(-/-) uterine CD11c(+) cells by culture with GM-CSF. Substantially reduced ability to activate both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in vivo was evident after delivery of OVA Ag by mating with Act-mOVA males or transcervical administration of OVA peptides. This study shows that GM-CSF regulates the efficiency with which uterine DCs and macrophages activate T cells, and it is essential for optimal MHC class II- and class I-mediated indirect presentation of reproductive Ags. Insufficient GM-CSF may impair generation of T cell-mediated immune tolerance at the outset of pregnancy and may contribute to the altered DC profile and dysregulated T cell tolerance evident in infertility, miscarriage, and preeclampsia. |
