The objectives of this study were to assess the modulation of T-cell @entity12711 expression by factor(s) present in sera of pregnant @entity1 , to correlate this activity with markers of T-cell function associated with pregnancy, and to identify the presence of a circulating pregnancy-associated factor responsible for the suppression of @entity12711 . The suppression of TcR/ @entity12711 expression on cultured T-lymphocytes (Jurkat cells) by sera and amniotic fluids from pregnant @entity1 was examined by Western immunoblots and quantitated by densitometry. This suppression was correlated with the induction of T-cell apoptosis and reduced production of @entity1199 . The serum component suppressing zeta expression was characterized by ultrafiltration and protease sensitivity. Incubation of Jurkat cells with sera obtained from @entity1 in the first trimester produced a slight, but not statistically significant, suppression of zeta expression; however, sera from pregnant @entity1 in the second and third trimesters and amniotic fluids significantly suppressed zeta levels in a dose-dependent manner. The loss of zeta chain correlated with both reduced secretion of @entity1199 and induction of lymphocyte apoptosis. Fractionation of sera by ultrafiltration demonstrated that the zeta chain suppressive factor was <5 kDa, and its trypsin-sensitivity suggests a proteinaceous moiety. Pregnancy is associated with a progressive suppression of cell-mediated immunity. These suppressed T-cell functions have been linked to Fas/ @entity12 -induced apoptosis and suppression of @entity1198 cytokines, including @entity1199 . We demonstrate that these pregnancy-associated events are mimicked by a factor(s) present in @entity1 -derived fluids. Suppression of zeta expression appears to be due to a circulating low-molecular-weight protein that suppresses @entity12711 in a concentration-dependent manner.

Modulation of T-cell XXXX expression during normal pregnancy.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patient'] @entity12711 :: ('919', 'Gene') :: ['CD3-zeta', 'CD3-zeta chain'] @entity1198 :: ('51497', 'Gene') :: ['Th1'] @entity12 :: ('356', 'Gene') :: ['Fas ligand'] @entity1199 :: ('3558', 'Gene') :: ['IL-2']
@entity12711 :: (919,Gene) :: ['CD3-zeta chain']
