bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An 80‐kDa Syncytiotrophoblast Alloantigen Bound to Maternal Alloantibody in Term Placenta
Authors: JALALI G.R. , REZAI A. , UNDERWOOD J.L. , MOWBRAY J.F. , SURRIDGE S.H. , ALLEN W.R. , MATTHIAS S. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: We have shown that most of the IgG present on term syncytiotrophoblast, membrane, microvesicles is bound to an 80 kDa protein antigen (R80K).METHODS: Microvesicles were prepared from term human placenta, and the IgG eluted at pH3.RESULTS: When IgG antibody was eluted at pH3 and reacted with acid‐treated vesicles of other placentae, the alloantibody always bound to the preparation from which it was obtained, but only to about 10% of acid‐treated preparations from other placentae. A similar polymorphic protein found in association with IgG antibody was found in term horse placentae. Cross‐reactivity of the antibodies between species was not found. Using binding of labelled antibody, complement dependent cytotoxicity and FACS two‐color analysis, the human polymorphic antigen was present on peripheral blood monocytes and B‐lympho‐cytes. The R80k antigen on intact microvesicles was resistant to trypsin, but after acid elution of IgG, trypsin released a soluble 50 kDa fragment which reacted with the acid‐eluted IgG antibody.CONCLUSION: The presence of antibodies to R80K in all term placentae studied, including first pregnancies, suggests that development of this alloantibody may be a normal requirement for successful pregnancy.
Clinical Significance of Anti‐GM3 Antibodies in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss With Elevated Level of Antiphospholipid Antibodies
Authors: OZAKI YASUHIKO , AOKI KOJI , AOYAMA TOMOMI , KUNIMATSU MITOSHI 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The ganglioside‐GM3 neutralizes the reactivity of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLs) to phospholipids in vitro. The question of whether anti‐GM3 antibodies might exert influence in APLs‐positive recurrent pregnancy loss patients who are undergoing prednisolone and aspirin (PSL/ASA) treatment was investigated.METHOD: The anti‐GM3 antibody assay of sera was accomplished by ELISA. Sera of 56 patients with recurrent pregnancy loss, including 30 APLs‐positive cases given PSL/ASA treatment, were examined.RESULTS: Patients positive for IgG or IgM type anti‐GM3 antibodies constituted 13/30 (43%) of the APLs‐positive group as compared with only 2/26 (8%) of those who were negative (P<0.01). In pregnant women with APLs‐positive treated with PSL/ASA, live births occurred in only 6/13 (46%) patients with detectable anti‐GM3 antibodies, while in 16/17 (94%) who tested negative for anti‐GM3 antibodies (P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: This observation suggests the possibility that presence of anti‐GM3 antibodies may be an indicator for determining the prognosis in recurrent pregnancy loss with elevated level of APLs.
Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) as a Marker for Detecting Subclinical Embryonic Loss in Clomiphene Citrate‐Treated Women
Authors: SHAHANI SAVITRI K. , MONIZ CLARA L. , GOKRAL JYOSTNA S. , MEHERJI PARVEEN K. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: A discrepancy exists between the apparently normal ovulation and the pregnancy rates in women treated with clomiphene citrate (CC). Our previous studies have indicated that immuno‐suppressive “early pregnancy factor” (EPF) is a novel marker to detect subclinical embryonic loss in infertile women.METHOD: In the present study EPF was used as a marker to detect subclinical embryonic loss in women treated with CC with/without gonadotropins. In some of the women treated with CC, conception was assisted by artificial insemination with husband's semen (AIH).RESULTS: Our results have indicated that fertilization occurred (EPF + ve) in 47.7% (52/ 109) of women treated with CC with/without gonadotropins; 13.46% (7/52) retained the fetus and continued pregnancy till full term, whereas 78.9% (41/52) did not retain the fetuses. In the group where after stimulation, conception was assisted by AIH, fertilization was observed in 38.24% (26/68), retention in 11.54% (3/26) but subclinical embryonic loss was observed in 80.8% (21/26) cases.CONCLUSION: Thus, our results have indicated that subclinical embryonic loss may account for some of the discrepancy observed between the apparently normal ovulation and the pregnancy rates in women treated with clomiphene citrate.
Seminal Fluid and the Expression of MHC Class I Antigens in the Placenta of the Rat
Authors: KANBOUR‐SHAKIR AMAL , ARMSTRONG DAVID T. , ROULEAU ANNE , KUNZ HEINZ W. , GILL THOMAS J. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To determine whether seminal fluid influences the expression of MHC class I antigens on the surface of basal trophoblast cells in the placenta of the rat.METHODS: Transfer of DA × DA embryos into a WF (allogeneic) or DA (syngeneic) recipient made pseudopregnant by hormonal treatment followed by mating with a vasectomized male (seminal fluid) or by mechanical stimulation (no seminal fluid). Antigen expression was determined by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using the appropriate gold‐labeled monoclonal antibodies.RESULTS: Seminal fluid did not affect the expression of MHC class I antigens on the surface of the basal trophoblast in either allogeneic or syngeneic matings.CONCLUSIONS: The suppression of the expression of paternal class I antigens on the surface of the basal trophoblast cells in allogeneic pregnancies most likely occurs at the genome level shortly after fertilization.
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of T Lymphocytes During Normal Human Pregnancy
Authors: SABAHI FARZANEH , ROLA‐PLESCZCYNSKI MAREK , O'CONNELL SEAN , FRENKEL LAWRENCE D. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Human reproduction involves contact between cells which are allogeneic to one another, however the fetus not only survives but thrives.METHODS: Aspects of T‐cell‐mediated immunity during normal human pregnancy were studied. PBMNCs of pregnant and nonpregnant women were stimulated with PHA and cytomegalovirus antigens (CMV). The capacity of stimulated cells to proliferate, to produce IL‐2 and IFN‐γ, to express IL‐2 receptor (IL2R1) and the effect of rIL2 on the proliferation rate of lymphocytes were examined. FACS was utilized for T‐cell subset comparisons.RESULTS: The proliferation rate, IL‐2, and IFN‐γ synthesis were all significantly impaired at suboptimal concentration of PHA throughout pregnancy. Exogenous rIL‐2 corrected this depression of cell‐mediated immunity (CMI). At optimal concentration of PHA, proliferation rate and production of IFN‐γ and IL‐2 were all decreased. Exogenous rIL‐2 corrected these deficits only in the third trimester. Third trimester pregnant women demonstrated a significant depression of proliferation as well as IL‐2 and IFN‐γ production after CMV stimulation, which was partially corrected by exogenous rIL‐2. FACS analysis suggested that after stimulation by CMV and optimal concentration of PHA, T cells were activated and both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphoblasts expressed normal density of IL‐2R1. With suboptimal PHA, the number of activated CD4+ and CD4+IL2R1+ cells were diminished and CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphoblasts expressed lower number of IL2R1.CONCLUSIONS: CD4 T helper (Thl) cell function is down regulated progressively during the three trimesters of pregnancy without changes in the quantity of T cell subsets.
Characteristics of Perforin Expressing Lymphocytes Within the First Trimester Decidua of Human Pregnancy
Authors: RUKAVINA DANIEL , RUBEŠA GORDANA , GUDELJ LEA , HALLER HERMAN , PODACK ECKHARD R. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The number of perforin (P)‐positive cells in decidua of pregnancy is larger than that observed in any other pathological condition. The aim was to investigate the distribution and the phenotype of P+ cells.METHOD: Decidual tissue was obtained from the first trimester vaginal termination of pregnancy. Tissue distribution of P+ cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The method for simultaneous measurement of P and cell surface is presented.RESULTS: There is no difference in number and distribution of P+ cells between decidua basalis (DB) and decidua parietalis (DP). The percentage of P+ decidual lymphocytes (DL) is two times higher than in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) (55% vs. 27%), and the prevalent phenotype is CD3− CD4− CD8− CD2+ (95%) CD11c+ (68%) and CD56+ (82%). CD56bright+ DL are also Pbright+ and this is the largest DL subpopulation (42.4% DL). Two different subpopulations of CD8+ DL exist: 1) CD8bright+, which are CD3+ CD56− P− and 2) CD8dim+, which are CD3− CD56+ P+.CONCLUSION: P expressing DL are prevalently nonclassical NK cells (CD16−) with low cytolytic activity but fully equipped with potent cytolytic machinery (pbright+). There are no classical cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) (CD3+ CD8+ P+) in the decidua, and all CD8+ P+ cells are CD3− CD56+. The number of P+ cells is even higher in DP in the vicinity of noninvasvie trophoblast, than in DB.
Lack of Magainin‐Like Activity in Human Cervical Tissue
Authors: HANSEN KEITH A. , KILIANSKI JOSEPH , NEWHALL KATHY , WRIGHT GEORGE , STOCK RICHARD J. , ARCHER DAVID 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The cervix plays an integral role in innate immunity of the human reproductive tract. Magainins are antimicrobial and spermicidal peptides recently described in human submandibular glands. We investigated the human cervix for magainin‐like peptides.METHOD: Histologic sections of frozen and paraffin embedded cervical tissue from nine subjects were separately incubated with two rabbit, polyclonal, anti‐magainin antibodies (CB‐2 and CB‐7) to investigate for magainin‐like activity in the human cervix.RESULTS: There was no specific staining of cervical columnar cells within the endocervical canal or in the endocervical crypts. Magainin‐like immunoreactivity in the human submandibular gland confirmed previous observations.CONCLUSION: Antigen related to magainin‐like peptides were not discovered in the human cervix.
Histochemical Demonstration of Interleukin‐2 in Decidua Cells of Patients With Preeclampsia
Authors: HARA NAONORI , FUJII TOMOYUKI , OKAI TAKASHI , TAKETANI YUJI 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The objective of this study was to gain insight into the immunological aspects of preeclampsia.METHOD: The presence of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) protein in the decidua was examined in five preeclamptic patients and seven normal pregnant women employing the immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: The decidua cells were strongly stained for IL‐2 in four out of five preeclamptic patients, while only very weak, if any, staining was observed in all the uncomplicated pregnant women.CONCLUSIONS: IL‐2 was clearly present in decidua cells in the preeclamptic setting, suggesting the possible involvement of immune‐activation in the phathophysiology of preeclampsia.
A Subset of Patients With Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Is Deficient in Transforming Growth Factor β‐2‐Producing “Suppressor Cells” in Uterine Tissue Near the Placental Attachment Site
Authors: LEA RICHARD G. , UNDERWOOD JENNY , FLANDERS KATHY C. , HIRTE HAL , BANWATT DALJEET , FINOTTO SUZETTA , OHNO ISAO , DAYA SALIM , HARLEY CALVIN , MICHEL MAGDY , MOWBRAY JAMES F. , CLARK DAVID A. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To determine if patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage have a deficiency of decidual immunosuppressor cells that produce transforming growth factor β type 2, as has been found in mice with abortion due to rejection and/or trophoblast failure.METHODS: Decidual biopsy specimens were taken as near to the placental attachment site as possible under ultrasound guidance from first trimester legal termination (control) patients with recurrent miscarriage and non‐viable pregnancy, and from patients with sporadic missed abortion. The tissue was tested for TGFβ‐2+ suppressor cells by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and analysis of supernatants.RESULTS: TGFβ‐2‐related suppressor molecules similar but not identical to those identified in pregnant mice were released by decidual lymphoid cells. Fifty percent of 14 recurrent miscarriage patients showed a lack of suppressor cells and 59% were subnormal in comparison to 20 controls and 5 sporadic miscarriage patients, where 80–85% of the patients had detectable suppressor cells.CONCLUSIONS: Suppressor cell deficiency is compatible with a role for rejection and/or trophoblast failure in some patients with recurrent miscarriage. Presence of suppressor cells in most patients with missed abortion (4/5) is compatible with an alternative cause of fetal death, similar to findings reported in genetic fetal death mice.
Interleukin‐1β Induces Cyclooxygenase‐2 in Cultured Human Decidual Cells
Authors: KENNARD ELIZABETH A. , ZIMMERMAN PETER D. , FRIEDMAN CHAD I. , KNISS DOUGLAS A. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐elicited increases in decidual prostaglandin E2and F2α (PGE2 and PGF2α) biosynthesis are due to the de novo expression of the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase (i.e., COX‐2).METHOD: Primary human decidual cell cultures were established from term placentas delivered by cesarean section. After 8 days in vitro, when the cultures secreted immunoreactive prolactin, the cells were incubated for 24 h in serum‐free medium, and then challenged with IL‐1β from 1 to 48 h. PGE2 and PGF2α content in the media were measured by specific radioimmunoassays.RESULTS: IL‐1β stimulated a time‐dependent enhancement in PGE2 and PGF2α production, with PGF2α synthesis predominating over PGE2. IL‐1β also induced a dose‐dependent increase in the output of both arachidonic acid metabolites. When Northern blots of IL‐1β‐treated and control cells were probed with cDNAs encoding either COX‐1 or COX‐2 isoforms or an oligonucleotide probe encoding a portion of the human β‐actin, we detected a time‐and dose‐dependent increase in the steady‐state levels of COX‐2, but not COX‐1 or β‐actin mRNA transcripts. Moreover, the expression of COX‐2 mRNA in IL‐1β‐stimulated cells was superinduced by preincubation with cycloheximide, but completely abolished by actinomycin D.CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the data suggest that COX‐2 mRNA expression is largely responsible for the robust increase in PG formation seen in IL‐1β‐treated decidual cells.
Detection of Antiendometrial Antibodies in Sera of Patients With Endometriosis by Dual‐Colored, Double‐Labeling Immunohistochemical Method and Western Blot
Authors: KIM JUNG GU , KIM CHUL WOO , MOON SHIN YONG , CHANG YOON SEOK , LEE JIN YONG 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: This study was undertaken to determine whether specific binding activities against endometrial proteins in sera of patients with endometriosis are detectable and, if so, to identify endometrial antigens involved in autoimmunity in endometriosis.METHOD: Sera from 33 patients with endometriosis and 20 cord sera (controls) were tested against endometria of patients and their protein extracts by dual‐colored, double‐labeling immunohistochemical method, and Western blotting.RESULTS: Antiendometrial binding activities were detected in sera of 2 (10.0%) control patients and 13 (48.2%) patients with endometriosis by the immunohistochemical method. Endogenous immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding to endometrial proteins had molecular weights (MW) of 26, 28, 54, 85, 107 and 116 kDa. Most sera of both control and patients showed reactivity against endometrial proteins with MW of 34, 36, 56 and 77 kDa. However, there were specific IgG autoantibodies reactive against the endometrial proteins of 71, 92, and 103 kDa in sera of 55.2% (16/29) of patients but not in the control sera. Over 80% (10/12) of patients' sera with binding activities detectable by the immunohistochemical method also tested positive by Western blot analysis.CONCLUSIONS: These data show that specific IgG antibodies reactive against endometrial antigens are detectable in sera from some patients with endometriosis.
Co‐Expression of Mannose‐Ligand and Non‐Nuclear Progesterone Receptors on Motile Human Sperm Identifies an Acrosome‐Reaction Inducible Subpopulation
Authors: BENOFF SUSAN , RUSHBROOK JULIE I. , HURLEY IAN R. , MANDEL FRANCINE S. , BARCIA MICHELE , COOPER GEORGE W. , HERSHLAG AVNER 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To determine whether surface expression of receptors for progesterone and mannose can be used to identify spermatozoa likely to undergo an acrosome reaction after zona binding and to compare the reactivity of these receptors with naturally occurring sperm head‐directed anti‐sperm antibodies (ASAs).METHOD: Progesterone binding sites on the surface of fresh and capacitated motile human sperm in relation to acrosome status were visualized using a cell‐impermeant progesterone. Free progesterone and/or mannose ligands were compared for percent sperm binding and ability to induce an acrosome reaction. Western blots of sperm proteins localized to the plasma membrane and surface proteins precipitated following passive transfer of serum ASAs were probed with progesterone‐horseradish peroxidase. The effects of the same ASAs on ligand binding and on the induced acrosome reaction were examined.RESULTS: The two receptors are located in close proximity on a subset of capacitated motile sperm and are coordinately cleared from the plasma membrane overlying the acrosomal cap prior to exocytosis. The surface appearance of functional binding sites for each ligand, however, is regulated by different mechanisms and the progesterone receptor alone is specifically precipitated by ASAs. Passive transfer of ASAs to capacitated sperm selectively inhibits the progesterone‐stimulated acrosome reaction but not the ionomycin‐induced acrosome reaction or the ability of sperm to bind mannose ligands.CONCLUSIONS: Sperm from fertile donors incubated under capacitating conditions in vitro can be subdivided into acrosome reaction inducible and noninducible subpopulations on the basis of the co‐expression or total absence of these receptors. The combined data indicate that reaction of sperm surface progesterone receptors with ASAs contributes to the acrosome reaction insufficiency observed in anti‐sperm immune infertility.
Generation and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific to Surface Antigens of Human Trophoblast Cells
Authors: YOSHIKI TATSUHIRO , YANG YUNG‐YU , LEE YITA , LEE CHI‐YU GREGORY 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To generate and utilize specific monoclonal antibodies for routine fetal cell isolation from the maternal circulation.METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies specific to human trophoblast cell surface antigens were generated and characterized. After cell fusion, antibodies secreted by hybridomas were screened by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical assays.RESULTS: By using cultured BeWo choriocarcinoma cells or the membrane fraction of human placenta as the immunogen, seven (BW‐108, 110, 123, 124, HP‐15, 16 and 17) antibodies specific to the surface antigens of trophoblast were produced. They were shown to have little cross‐reactivity to other human tissues. Among the antibodies raised against human sperm, HSA‐10 was also found to cross‐react with human trophoblast, but not detected in other tissues. When immobilized to magnetic beads, these antibodies were shown to react only with BeWo cells in suspension, but not blood cells and ovarian carcinoma cell line, OC‐3‐VGH.CONCLUSION: Therefore, these antibodies may have potential application in fetal trophoblast cell isolation from the maternal circulation for prenatal genetic diagnosis.
Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor in Serum and Urine Throughout Normal Pregnancy and at Delivery
Authors: ARNTZEN KNUT JØRGEN , LIABAKK NINA‐BEATE , JACOBSEN GEIR , ESPEVIK TERJE , AUSTGULEN RIGMOR 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To determine the concentration of the two soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFR), sp55 and sp75, in healthy pregnant women.METHOD: Serum and urine samples were longitudinally collected from a group of pregnant women (N=53) five times throughout pregnancy. Maternal and umbilical sera were obtained from some of the deliveries (N=31). The samples were analysed using ELISA based on two monoclonal antibodies (IV4E and 3H5) against the soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sp55 and sp75).RESULTS: Serum concentration of sp55 and sp75 were increased in pregnant women compared to that of nonpregnant controls. Concentration of both sTNFRs increased towards term. Labor was associated with further increase of sp55. Concentrations of sp55 and sp75 in umbilical serum were significantly higher than those of maternal serum. Significant correlations were observed between maternal and umbilical sTNFR concentrations.CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that pregnancy is associated with an activation of mechanisms regulating the biological activities of TNF.
Human Peritoneal Macrophage and T Lymphocyte Populations in Mild and Severe Endometriosis
Authors: BECKER JEANNE L. , WIDEN RAYMOND H. , MAHAN C. SCOTT , YEKO TIMOTHY R. , PARSONS ANNA K. , SPELLACY WILLIAM N. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype of peritoneal lymphocyte and macrophage populations in mild versus severe endometriosis.METHOD: Using dual staining, antigen expression on peritoneal leukocytes from 24 women with endometriosis and 21 control patients was analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS: All groups had CD4:CD8 ratios of 0.6, with subpopulations of CD8+ cells expressing cytotoxic marker S6F1. Mild and severe endometriosis patients had increased CD3/ DR+ cells, relative to controls. Two populations of macrophages were identified by size in all groups. Mild endometriosis patients had increased percentages of small macrophages expressing CD14 and HLA DQ, compared to controls and severe disease patients. In severe disease patients, antigen expression on small macrophages did not differ from controls, but decreased percentages of large macrophages expressed CD14 relative to controls and mild disease patients.CONCLUSION: All women with endometriosis exhibit activated peritoneal lymphocytes, whereas macrophage expression of CD 14 is differentially expressed as a function of disease stage. Alterations in the functional capacity of these cells may contribute to the pathophysiology of this disease.
The Ovarian Dysgenesis Normally Induced by Neonatal Thymectomy is Prevented by the Prior Administration of Estrogen
Authors: CHAPMAN JOHN C. , GRIFFIN WILLIAM J. , VASSALO MILO F. , MICHAEL SANDRA D. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Neonatal thymectomy (Tx) and estrogen (E2) administration disrupt the reproductive and immune systems of female mice. The current experiment examined the combined effects of the two procedures on ovarian function, performed in sequence, and in reverse sequence.METHOD: Groups of (C57BL/6J × A/J)F, (B6A) female mice were given four daily injections of 20 μg estradiol‐17β, either from 0 days to 3 days, or from 3 days to 6 days postpartum. In some groups this regimen was combined with thymectomy performed either prior to steroid injection (TX‐3), or after steroid treatment (TX‐4). Animals were sacrificed between 100 and 110 days of age then ovaries evaluated via light microscopy for dysgenesis and follicular cysts.RESULTS: When E2 treatment followed Tx, the incidence of ovarian dysgenesis was unchanged (study 1, Tx + E2 = 60% ovarian dysgenesis; Tx = 63% ovarian dysgenesis) (study 2, Tx + E2 = 46% ovarian dysgenesis; Tx = 45% ovarian dysgenesis). In contrast, when E2was given before Tx, ovarian dysgenesis did not occur (study 2, E2 + Tx = 0% ovarian dysgenesis; Tx = 46% ovarian dysgenesis). Ovaries from E2 + Tx animals were characteristic of ovaries from E2‐injected animals without Tx.CONCLUSION: The results indicate that E2 injection prevents Tx‐induced ovarian dysgenesis, suggesting E2‐activation of an extrathymic pathway for thymus function.