Direct and indirect inhibition of Th1 development by progesterone and glucocorticoids

Progesterone may contribute to the maternal suppression of immunity to the fetus by modulating the Th1/Th2 balance. To clarify whether progesterone directly or indirectly affects T cell differentiation, we used two experimental systems with isolated T cells in vitro. In one system, isolated CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes differentiated into Th1 and Th2 by two pulse stimulations with defined combinations of ionomycin and PMA followed by the treatment with IL-12, IL-4, and IL-2. In the second system, functional differentiation was induced in purified naive CD4 T cells with cytokines and Abs to CD3 and CD28. In both systems, progesterone added with cytokines suppressed Th1 development at concentrations associated with pregnancy, but enhanced the development of IL-10-producing Th2 cells. Because IL-10 is known to inhibit APC production of IL-12, Th1 development may be also suppressed indirectly by progesterone. However, progesterone failed to enhance IL-10 production in the absence of IL-12. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 inhibited Th1 development and enhanced Th2 development, as did progesterone, indicating that p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways are involved in Th1 development. However, the progesterone effects may not be simply due to a modulation of MAPK activities, because the inhibitor did not significantly affect the development of IL-10-producing cells in the presence or absence of progesterone. Glucocorticoids exerted effects similar to those of progesterone on Th1/Th2 development even at lower concentrations. These results suggest that progesterone as well as glucocorticoids directly inhibit Th1 development and enhance Th2 development.