bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunosuppressive Factor in Cow Follicular Fluid
Authors: VESELSKÝ LEOPOLD , DOSTÁL JAROMÍR , LANDA VLADIMÍR , STANĚK ROSTISLAV , VINTER PETR 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT: The activity of the immunosuppressive fraction and proteinase inhibitor isolated from cow follicular fluid was investigated. The immunosuppressive factor was separated from the accompanying proteinase inhibitor by Sepharose 6B and Sephacryl S‐200 column chromatography.In vitro, the fraction significantly reduced mitogen‐induced lymphocyte proliferation. In vivo, the fraction inhibited mouse plaque formation. However, the factor had no effect on the development of intact or zona free embryos. The active components have a molecular mass of about 110,000.
The Complement System in Human Reproduction
Authors: VANDERPUYE OLUSEYI A. , LABARRERE CARLOS A. , McINTYRE JOHN A. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT: Regulation of the complement system in reproduction is unique inasmuch as reproductive tissues represent the only condition where allogeneic interactions occur naturally. Both allogeneic extraembryonic membranes and semen that contact and interact with maternal cells and tissues must avert complement‐mediated damage to ensure reproductive success. Several regulators of complement activation exist. Membrane cofactor protein (MCP) and decay accelerating factor (DAF) inactivate C3 and C5 convertases on cell surfaces. In addition, CD59 inhibits the membrane attack complex (MAC) of the complement cascade. Strong expression of these membrane glycoproteins by trophoblast and amniotic epithelium has been observed. MCP, DAF, and CD59 likely safeguard extraembryonic tissues from complement damage originating from maternal and fetal blood or amniotic fluid.Different reproductive tract fluids vary in complement levels. With the exception of ovarian follicular fluid, these levels are generally much less than those in blood. Endometrial and cervical content of C3 appear to be regulated by hormones. These observations suggest that the effects of complement activation may vary in reproductive tissues. MCP is absent from the surfaces of oocytes. Sperm express MCP and DAF in discrete areas that would not be associated with the known complement‐regulatory functions of these proteins. Seminal plasma contains MCP and the MAC inhibitor SP‐40,40 but not DAF. SP‐40,40 may exemplify how complement‐regulatory proteins perform alternative functions as it interacts with molecules other than complement components. We have reviewed aspects of the complement system that relate to allogeneic interactions in reproduction and that suggest fruitful areas for further research.
Significant Compatibility Does Not Exist at the HLA‐DQB Gene Locus in Couples With Unexplained Recurrent Abortions
Authors: TAKAKUWA KOICHI , HIGASHINO MASAHIKO , UEDA HIROYUKI , YAMADA KIYOSHI , ASANO KENSAKU , YASUDA MASAKO , ISHII SHIRO , KAZAMA YOSHIKI , TANAKA KENICHI 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT: The polymerase chain reaction‐restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method was used for both examining compatibility at the HLA‐DQB1 gene locus and determining HLA‐DQ antigen polymorphism in spouses of unexplained recurrent abortions. Genomic DNA samples were prepared from peripheral mononuclear cells from patient and control couples. Two hundred and thirty base pair fragments of the second exon of the HLA‐DQB genes were selectively amplified. Amplified DNAs were digested with the restriction endonucleases, Fok I, Hae III, Hha I, Rsa I and Sau3A I, and subjected to electrophoresis in a polyacrylamide gel. The RFLPs showed that habitual aborters and their husbands had neither significantly frequent alleles nor shared common alleles at the HLA‐DQB locus when compared to the control group.Since significant HLA‐DQB compatibility was not observed between the spouses and unexplained recurrent aborters, in order to determine whether or not HLA compatibility is responsible for the genesis of unexplained recurrent abortions, it is imperative to further examine the compatibility between other HLA gene loci.
Danazol Suppresses Both Spontaneous and Activated Human Lymphocyte‐Mediated Cytotoxicity
Authors: VIGANÓ PAOLA , DI BLASIO ANNA MARIA , BUSACCA MAURO , SABBADINI MARIA GRAZIA , VIGNALI MARIO 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT: Danazol is an effective drug in the treatment of endometriosis. Previous reports suggest that it can act by influencing the immune system. Thus, in this study we evaluated whether danazol is able to affect the expression of natural and activated cytotoxicity by human peripheral blood lymphoctyes (PBL).A cytotoxicity assay by 51Cr release was performed to determine the effect of danazol on lymphocyte cytotoxic response toward an erytroleukemic cell line (K562).A significant suppression of spontaneous cytotoxicity was observed when lymphocytes were pre‐treated for 18 h with danazol at the concentration of 5 × 10−6M. In addition, danazol could significantly inhibit both IL‐2‐ and INFα‐activated cytotoxicity at the concentration of 10−5 M. Following 18 h exposure to danazol, PBL were able to completely recover their spontaneous but not activated cytotoxic potential upon further in vitro incubation (18 h) in absence of the drug. The biological significance of danazol as an inhibitor of immune function under experimentally defined conditions is discussed in relation to its possible role in vivo.
In Vitro Sperm Capacitation to Treat Antisperm Antibodies Bound to the Sperm Surface
Authors: LENZI Dott. A. , GANDINI L. , LOMBARDO F. , MICARA G. , CULASSO F. , DONDERO F. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT: Our objective was to study antisperm antibody bound to the acrosome region during in vitro capacitation and to determine whether acrosome‐antibody free sperm can be obtained from previously acrosome‐antibody‐coated sperm.The spermatozoa from a selected series of 14 patients were tested for sperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface using d‐IBT and focusing on the acrosome positivity. The tests were carried out before the incubation and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 h of incubation in Tyrode's solution with 0.5% human serum albumin as the capacitation medium. Tests to evaluate acrosome region, sperm motion parameters, and zonae binding ability were carried out. In this way we were able to evaluate sperm function during capacitation protocol.The patients were 14 subjects selected according to good seminal characteristics, good post‐rise sperm parameters, and high percentage of ASA bound to the sperm surface.In all cases the results showed that antisperm antibodies bound to the acrosome region were shed prior to the acrosome reaction.During sperm capacitation in human a modification, migration, or shedding of plasma membrane molecules takes place. The presence of antibodies in such an important area of the sperm head could certainly interfere in the fertilization process. Our data indicate that in vitro capacitation could provide an in vitro therapy capable of eluting antibodies from the acrosome region.
Analysis of T‐Lymphocyte Subsets After Phytohemagglutinin Stimulation in Normal and Type 1 Diabetic Mothers and Their Infants
Authors: GIORDANO C. , DE MARIA R. , MATTINA A. , STASSI G. , TODARO M. , PUGLIESE A. , GALLUZZO G. , BOTTA R.M. , GALLUZZO A. 
Published: May 2013

Our aim was to investigate the immunological status of diabetic pregnancy, which is an overlap of diabetic immunity abnormalities and the immunological modifications normally occurring during pregnancy.METHOD: We studied lymphocyte subpopulations and lymphokine production, after 96 h of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation, from normal and Type I diabetic pregnant women at delivery time and from the respective cord blood.RESULTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from both normal and Type I diabetic mothers showed an increase in CD8+ and a decrease in CD4+ cells compared to the respective cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC). Moreover, Type I PBMC showed a lower number of “activated” CD3+DR+cells and a higher number of CD8+CD25+ cells with respect to normal women, which may reflect the dysregulatory pattern due to the autoimmune condition. Type I CBMC showed a big increase in the number of CD4+ Leu8+ cells, a cell subpopulation characterized by inhibitory activity. Finally, as regards lymphokine release in culture supernatants, type I diabetes seemed to be associated with an overproduction of IL1 and IL6, although the latter increase is less evident in CBMC cultures.CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that diabetic pregnancy is associated with major alterations of cell‐mediated immunity leading to a state of immunodepression. Moreover, our study suggests that the maternal immunological status influences fetal immunity, as demonstrated by the increase in the number of regulatory cells and by the altered pattern of lymphokine production (IL1 and IL6) by lymphocytes derived from diabetic CBMC. The latter phenomenon perfectly mirrors maternal PBMC characteristics.
Effect of Labor on Lymphocyte Subsets in Full‐Term Neonates
Authors: SAMELSON RENEE , LARKEY DEBORAH M. , AMANKWAH K.S. , MCCONNACHIE PETER 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To determine the effect of labor on lymphocyte subsets in full‐term neonates. Method of Study. Cord blood obtained at delivery from full‐term neonates, six born vaginally and six born by elective Cesarean section, was analyzed for lymphocyte subsets. Monoclonal antibodies, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry were utilized to determine the lymphocyte phenotype frequencies in these neonates. These frequencies were compared by mode of delivery and to adult peripheral blood reference ranges using a two‐tailed Student's t‐test,P<0.05.RESULTS: A profile of significantly elevated T (CD2, CD3) and helper cells (CD4) and depressed Natural Killer cells (CD16, CD56) is characteristic of term Cesarean section neonates. Significantly depressed frequency of T cells (CD2, CD3) and helper T cells (CD4) and elevated Natural Killer cells (CD16, CD56) is characteristic of vaginally delivered neonatesCONCLUSIONS: The mode of delivery affects the lymphocyte subset frequencies in full‐term neonates.
Polymorphism of the Pa Gene
Authors: VISHTEH ARASH G. , KUNZ HEINZ W. , HASSETT ANDREA L. CORTESE , GILL THOMAS J. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: This study was undertaken to identify the number of alleles of the Pa gene at the DNA level and to correlate the presence of the different alleles with the ability of a strain to elicit an anti‐Pa antibody response when mated with a WF female. The Pa gene is present in both Pa + and Pa − strains of rats, but it has unique restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in the two types of strains: 1.7 kb in Pa− and 1.8 kb in Pa + Xbal digests using a probe derived from the Pa gene.RESULTS: Examination of DNA from a variety of strains using different enzymes showed that there were characteristic RFLP patterns for Pa+ and Pa−strains. Strains of the b haplotype, however, had an intermediate RFLP pattern, and all of these strains had a relatively low level of reactivity with anti‐Pa antibody.CONCLUSIONS: Thus, there are three alleles of the Pa gene based on their level of expression: Paa, high; Pab, low; and Pa−, none.
Development and Distribution of the White Blood Cells Within Various Structures of the Human Menstrual Corpus Luteum Examined Using an Image Analysis System
Authors: PETROVSKÁ MARIANNA , SEDLÁK ROMAN , NOUZA KAREL , PRESL JIRÍ , KINSKÝ RADSLAV 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Emerging evidences suggest that immunoendocrine interactions play definitive roles during development and regression of the human menstrual corpus luteum (hmCL). We have studied the distribution of immune cells within individual structures of hmCL during various stages of its development.METHOD: Immunoperoxidase‐stained ultra‐thin frozen sections were evaluated using light microscopy fitted with an image analysis system.RESULTS: The results suggest that monocytes/ macrophages and MHC class II positive cells are the most prominent immune cells within the hmCL throughout its whole lifespan. Both cell types are concentrated within the trabeculae. In addition, MHC class II positive cells are abundant also within the granulosa‐luteal layer. T helper/inductor (Th/i) and T cytotoxic/suppressor (Tc/s) cells were detected only in minor amounts within the thecal trabeculae of mature tissue.CONCLUSIONS: Possible links between the occurrence and functional roles of the immune cells studied are discussed.
Identification of Lymphocyte Subsets in the Human Fallopian Tube
Authors: BOEHME MICHAEL , DONAT HANS 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Immunohistochemical investigations for the detection of lymphocyte subsets in the human oviduct have been performed. Knowledge about local immunity especially cell‐mediated immunity, in the fallopian tube has been, up to now, limited. As an essential structure for the human reproduction process, the tubal mucous membrane is exposed to a variety of antigens.METHOD: A total number of 20 tubal biopsies obtained from fertile women during gynecological operations like tubal ligations or hysterectomy were examined by the immunoperoxidase technique. Seven specimens were obtained during the proliferative phase, ten during the secretory phase and three during a caesarean section with tubal ligations.RESULTS: It could be established that the presence of lymphocytes in the oviductal mucous membrane is physiological. These cells can be identified by their typical immunohistochemical patterns. There were no significant differences of the type and number of lymphocytes in the mucosa within the phases of menstrual cycle. The dominant cell types in the tubal mucosa were the CD3 + and CD8 + lymphocytes.CONCLUSIONS: It can be suggested that the lymphocytes in the tubal mucosa may involved in the process of immune tolerance, which could realize the transport of sperms and blastocyst through the oviduct under normal conditions without activation of local immune mechanisms. The lymphoid tissue of the oviduct is a specialized form of mucosal‐associ‐ated lymphoid tissue (MALT).
Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in the Intraepithelial Lymphocyte Population in the Uterus of Nonpregnant and Pregnant Sheep
Authors: LEE C.S. , MEEUSEN E. , GOGOLIN‐EWENS K. , BRANDON M.R. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Previous studies have revealed the presence of a unique population of CD45R + granulated cells in the sheep uterine epithelium. In the present study, dramatic changes in this cell population and in the nongranulated lymphocytes in the uterine and endometrial glandular epithelium of non‐cycling, cycling, pregnant, and postparturient sheep are described. In noncycling and cycling sheep, the granules in the granulated intraepithelial cells were small. From days 55 to 134 of pregnancy, the granules in these cells were large, and there was a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the proportion of this cell population in the uterine epithelium but not in the endometrial glandular epithelium located in the deeper region of the stroma. The number of these cells declined dramatically (P < 0.01) from 2 to 15 days after parturition. Both the tissue distribution and the time of activation of these cells suggests they are different from the granulated lymphocytes described in placentae of mice and man.CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that this unique population of granulated cells is derived from lymphocytes, and that these cells become metabolically active from mid‐ to late‐pregnancy and may play a physiological role during pregnancy or birth. In contrast, the number of nongranulated intraepithelial lymphocytes were suppressed throughout pregnancy and they probably do not play a role in pregnancy.
Parity Status and the Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: SILMAN ALAN J. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of a number of autoimmune diseases with a marked female excess in incidence, particularly during the reproductive years. It is of interest to investigate whether reproductive factors are important in determining susceptibility to RA. However, difficulties in dating the pathological onset of the disease can make it difficult to distinguish between the reproductive influence history on disease and the influence of (subclinical) disease on reproduction.In women with RA compared to controls, there is no excess of being unmarried. Most but not all studies, show an increase in nulliparity, whereas parity rates in fertile RA women are unchanged. There is an increased rate of onset postpartum, particularly in the first three months after delivery. There is no unifying biological explanation for these epidemiological findings, and it is likely that the apparently obvious link between reproductive experience and pregnancy is complex.
Stress‐Triggered Abortion in Mice Prevented by Alloimmunization
Authors: CLARK DAVID A. , BANWATT DALJEET , CHAOUAT GERARD 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To determine if immunotherapy can prevent abortion triggered by mechanisms that in humans may be treatable by psychotherapy.METHOD: The effects of alloimmunization against paternal strain antigens were tested in pregnant mice subjected to stress.RESULTS: Restraint stress boosted the resorption rate assessed on day 13.5 of pregnancy in DBA/2‐mated C3H/HeJ mice with an optimal effect on day 4.5 of pregnancy, and premating alloimmunization greatly reduced the effect. By contrast, CBA/J and A/J mice proved resistant to abortion boosting by restraint stress. A/J mice mated to DBA/2 or C3H/HeJ males showed reduced fertility, perhaps due to failure of pregnancy immediately after the stress, but this was not corrected by alloimmunization with either DBA/2 [class I + class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) immunogen] or C3H/HeJ (class I MHC immunogen) splenocytes. There was a reduction in the endogenous resorption rate, however, and implantation number was slightly increased by preimmunization using DBA/2 cells. The abortion rate could be boosted, however, by ultrasonic noise stress of high abortion rate CBA/J, and preimmunization using BALB/c (H‐2d) splenocytes protected. A similar boosting of loss in low abortion rate BALB/k mice was ameliorated (albeit not completely) by preimmunization with allogeneic paternal but not syngeneic splenocytes.CONCLUSIONS: Immunotherapy may protect against a variety of potential triggers of spontaneous abortion, including those that may be amenable to psychological remedies, and possible mechanisms are discussed.
A Set of MHC Haplotypes Found Among Finnish Couples Suffering From Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions
Authors: LAITINEN TARJA 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM AND METHOD: The role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in the etiology of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) was studied by analyzing the polymorphism of several, at least 14, immunogenetically important MHC genes either by serological or molecular methods in 56 Finnish RSA couples, and in 29 infants born to these families during the follow‐up period of two years after the abortions.RESULTS: The haplotype analysis showed that the RSA couples had significantly increased sharing of MHC fragments, compared to the control families. Furthermore, the MHC risk markers for abortions defined 12 different, extended MHC haplotypes that were found in a significantly higher proportion among persons in the RSA group (45%) than in the controls (11%). However, neither of these observations associated with the reproductive success of the study couples.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that extended MHC haplotypes, disadvantageous for reproduction, exist in some isolated populations, such as the Finns.
Predominant Production of Amniotic Interleukin‐1α in Cases With Premature Rupture of the Membranes
Authors: HIRANO KOHKI , DAITOH TOSHIFUMI , KAMADA MASAHARU , MAEDA NOBUHIKO , OHMOTO YASUKAZU , AONO TOSHIHIRO 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The physiological significances of the two known subtypes of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) in amniotic fluid (AF) were examined by measurements of their concentrations and detection of their location.METHOD: Each IL‐1 subtype in AF collected from 61 patients were examined by newly developed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay with high sensitivity. Placenta and umbilical cord from 17 patients were examined immunohistochemically for localization of IL‐1.RESULTS: Different types of IL‐1 were predominant in AF; the mean (± SE) concentration of IL‐1β (412.8 ± 105.4pg/ml) was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of IL‐1α(116.4± 26.7 pg/ml) in cases with spontaneous vaginal delivery, whereas the concentration of IL‐1α (243.1 ±81.4pg/ml) was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that of IL‐1β (139.7±59.4pg/ml) in cases with premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) without intrauterine infection. In these cases, immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of IL‐1α in the trophoblastic layer of the placenta and epithelium of the umbilical cord.CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic IL‐1α was detected predominantly in cases with PROM, and it is thought to be produced in placenta and fetal skin keratinocyte.
Low Periconceptional Maternal Serum Thymosin α1 Levels Are Associated With Blighted Pregnancies
Authors: KAUFMANN ROBERT A. , WELCH ROBERT A. , MUTCHNICK MILTON G. 
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE: The thymus‐derived peptides, thymosin α1 and thymosin (β4, are believed to contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis. They are also associated with the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal‐gonadal axis and may play a role in reproduction. STUDY DESIGN: Patients were recruited from a university hospital setting. Eligible candidates were 24 to 38 years old who were being seen in an ovulation induction and in vitro fertilization program. Serial maternal serum thymosin α1 and β4 levels were assayed preconceptual and then twice in the first trimester by ELISA in 28 women with known ovulation dates who successfully conceived as demonstrated by positive serum β human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Thymosin α1 and β4 serum levels for viable pregnancies (group I; N = 19) were compared to pregnancies that aborted (group II; N = 9) using repeated measures of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Periconceptional (preovulatory and early pregnancy) thymosin α1 and β4 values between groups I and II were compared using repeated measure one‐way ANOVA.RESULTS: Thymosin α1 levels from pregnancies that remained viable were significantly higher than those from pregnancies that spontaneously aborted. Preovulation thymosin α1 levels also tended to be lower in pregnancies that subsequently aborted. Thymosin β4 levels were similar between the two groups.CONCLUSIONS: Decreased maternal serum thymosin α1 levels may be associated with periconceptional endocrine and/or immune disturbances preceding miscarriage.
Interspecies‐specific Ovarian Autoantigens Involved in Neonatal Thymectomy‐induced Murine Autoimmune Oophoritis
Authors: XUN ZHU , MARUYAMA HIDENORI , UEDA MASAMICHI , FUKUMOTO MANABU , MASUDA TOHRU 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Thymectomy of mice on day 3 after birth (3d‐Tx) gives rise to the appearance of a particular type of ovarian lesion known as experimental autoimmune oophoritis (AIO).METHOD: In the present study, the spleen cells from BALB/c mice having undergone 3 day‐Tx AIO were fused with X63‐Ag8‐6.5.3 myeloma cells, and a number of hybridoma clones producing autoantibodies against ovarian tissue were established.RESULTS: On the basis of immunohistochemical and protein‐chemical analysis, two independent clones, designated as T2.2 and S1.6, were found to react with interstitial tissues surrounding the follicles. These monoclonal antibodies showed broad cross‐species reactivity, in that they recognized similar antigenic macromolecules in the rat, pig, human, and mouse. The antigenic determinants were strongly resistant to heat and acid, especially to the treatment of periodic acid, indicating that the antigenic determinants had no relation with carbohydrate components.CONCLUSIONS: By antibody affinity chromotography, two kinds of autoantigens were identified. SDS‐PAGE, under reduced or nonreduced conditions, revealed an 80/85 kDa protein for T2.2, and an 82 kDa for S1.6, respectively.