Our objective was to identify shed placental plasma membrane fragments in the maternal circulation and determine whether these fragments are capable of down-regulating @entity12711 expression and inducing apoptosis in T lymphocytes. Sera, isolated from the blood of pregnant @entity1 at 26-29 weeks gestation that subsequently had uncomplicated term deliveries, were subjected to high exclusion-limit gel chromatography to isolate placental membrane fragments. The placental origin of the fragments was confirmed by the presence of placental-type alkaline @entity6546 . These shed membrane fragments were further analyzed for the presence of @entity12 ( @entity12 ) and modulation of @entity12711 expression on cultured T-lymphocytes (Jurkat cells). The ability of the shed membrane fragments to induce apoptosis was assayed using a cell death ELISA. Components associated with Fas-dependent apoptosis ( @entity522 , @entity588 and @entity589 ) were characterized using western immunoblot following exposure to serum-derived membrane fragments. Placental membrane fragments were identified in all pregnancy sera, but not in non-pregnant controls. The 41 kDa @entity12 was identified in membrane fragment isolates and all samples were capable of inducing apoptosis as determined by the ELISA assay. Exposure of T lymphocytes to isolated membrane fragments suppressed the expression of @entity12711 . The induction of apoptosis correlated with the induction and activation of @entity522 and the induction of @entity589 . Placenta-derived membrane fragments are detectable in the maternal circulation. These membrane fragment isolates are capable of inducing @entity12 -mediated apoptosis and down-regulating @entity12711 expression, which may contribute to the immune tolerance of the fetus.

Shed membrane fragment modulation of XXXX during pregnancy: link with induction of apoptosis.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women'] @entity522 :: ('836', 'Gene') :: ['caspase-3', 'caspase 3'] @entity588 :: ('596', 'Gene') :: ['bcl-2'] @entity589 :: ('581', 'Gene') :: ['bax'] @entity12711 :: ('919', 'Gene') :: ['CD3-zeta', 'CD3-zeta chain'] @entity6546 :: ('MESH:D010710', 'Chemical') :: ['phosphates'] @entity12 :: ('356', 'Gene') :: ['FasL', 'Fas ligand']
@entity12711 :: (919,Gene) :: ['CD3-zeta']
