BIOL 404- Effects of estrogen-mimicking compounds, progesterone and estriol, on myeloid-derived suppressor cell development

Estrogen is primarily known for being a female sex hormone. It has three major subcategories estrone, estradiol, and estriol. They are known to have a role within regulation of the reproductive system and menopause. Progesterone is also a well-known steroid sex hormone that is usually associated with menstruation. These sex hormones are commonly used in oral contraceptive pills. The purpose of this study is to see if progesterone and estriol will have the same effects that estrogen has on MHC II and B7 expression. With the use of flow cytometry, T cell isolation, T cell proliferation, and ELISAs we are able to determine quantitatively the expression of MHC II and B7. We predict both progesterone and estriol will have a decreased production of MHC and B7.