Regulatory effects of estriol on T cell migration and cytokine profile: inhibition of transcription factor NF-kappa B

The protective role of pregnancy in autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), is potentially associated with immune nancy This study was under-taken to examine the regulatory effects of estriol on the T cell regulation by sex hormones produced during preg functions, including transmigration and the cytokine production. The results revealed for the first time that estriol significantly inhibited T cell transmigration at a concentration range typical of pregnancy, which correlated with decreased T cell expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9. Estriol was also found to alter the cytokine profile of T cells toward Th2 phenotype by up-regulating the production of IL-10 and inhibiting TNFalpha secretion of T cells. However, the inhibitory effects of estriol on T cells were not antigen-dependent. Further characterization indicated that estriol inhibited nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), which controls a variety of immune-related genes, This study provides new evidence that estriol is a potent regulator for the T cell functions potentially through its interaction with the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.