Possible Interaction: Interferons and Oxytocin

“Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) secretion from endometrium surges during the luteal phase due to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) … and a positive-feedback loop with oxytocin (OT) from the corpus luteum, ultimately triggering luteolysis, while interferon τ (IFNT) inhibits upregulation of … by TNFα and OT , thereby preventing luteolysis … recognition of pregnancy.”

“Combined to OT , 10 microq/ml of recombinant ovine interferon-tau (roIFN-tau) was able to decrease significantly (P < 0.0001) the dose-dependent increase of PGF2alpha production.”

“Reduction of uterine oxytocin receptor concentrations by conceptus secretory proteins or by interferons related to oTP-1 remains equivocal.”

“The primary effect of trophoblast IFN during early pregnancy appears to be an inhibition of oxytocin receptor expression, although studies in ovariectomized ewes suggest that luteal oxytocin may be required to facilitate the inhibition of prostaglandin F secretion by trophoblast IFN.”

“In the ovine endometrium, IFNτ suppresses estrogen receptor α and oxytocin receptor gene expression, but increases or induces expression of IFN-simulated genes (ISGs), including signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1), STAT2, ISG factor-3γ (ISGF3γ)/p48/IFN regulatory factor-9, and 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS).”

“Combined to OT , 10 microq/ml of recombinant ovine interferon-tau (roIFN-tau) was able to decrease significantly (P < 0.0001) the dose-dependent increase of PGF2alpha production.”