THE EFFECT OF GONADOTROPINS ON THE PRODUCTION OF HUMAN INTERFERON-GAMMA BY MONONUCLEAR-CELLS

Gonadotropins-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)-and the related agent thy rotropin were shown to enhance yields of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) significantly whe n calcium ionophores (ionomycin or A23187) were used as inducers. The enhancement increased the IFN yields four- to eight-fold. Induction wi th other inducers, (such as lectins, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and anti CD 3, was not associated with enhancement of the IFN yields by gonadotrop ins. Concentrations of gonadotropins associated with pregnancy (HCG) o r menopause (FSH and LH) were able to enhance IFN-gamma yields. Additi on of the gonadotropins to the cells after the ionophore gave the grea test degree of enhancement. Perturbation of the calcium messenger syst em or nonspecific stimulation of adenyl cyclase failed to influence th e IFN yield enhancing effect of the gonadotropins. No effect of gonado tropins was observed on IFN bioactivity.