bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface Annexin II on Placental Membranes of the Fetomaternal Interface
Authors: Kristoffersen Einar K. , Matre Roald 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The phospholipidbinding membrane protein annexin II has been demonstrated to possess FcR activity for IgG and has been localized to the outer part of the syncytiotrophoblast cell layer. The question has arisen whether annexin II is exposed on the surface of syncytiotrophoblast cells thus enabling it to take part in the transport of IgG across the maternal barrier.METHOD: Syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membranes were analyzed by flow cytometry for annexin II as well as established surface molecules. Fresh, fixed placental tissue was preincubated with antibodies to annexin II or known trophoblast surface molecules, and analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy.RESULTS: Annexin II and its subunit p11 were expressed on the surface of the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membranes as were other established surface proteins (CD46, CD59, placental alkaline phosphatase), using both flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Annexin was not detected on the surface of viable cultured trophoblast cells.CONCLUSION: Annexin II is exposed on the surface of syncytiotrophoblast cells as a heterotetramer together with its light chain p11. It is exposed to maternal blood and may be instrumental in IgG transport across the placental barrier by binding
Cytokines of the Human Reproductive Tract
Authors: Srivastava Maya D. , Lippes Jack , Srivastava B.I. Sahai 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: How is it possible that the female genital tract immunologically does not reject spermatooa nor the preimplantation and nidating embryo?METHODS: Four fluids of the human reproductive tract, i.e., human oviductal fluid (hOF), follicular fluid (FF), amniotic fluid (AF), and seminal plasma (SP) were investigated by specific ELISA for 18 cytokines. The concentrations, presence or absence of these compounds were evaluated for their possible role in the immunology of the reproductive process.RESULTS: Stem cell factor and IL‐11 were detected in all reproductive tract fluids examined whereas large amounts of IL‐1β and IL‐1RA was found in AF and hOF. Follicular fluid revealed IL‐2. HOF contained IL 2, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, MIP‐1α, IFN‐γ, and high levels of IL‐1β, IL‐10, IL‐1RA, and sIL‐2R. Amniotic fluid contained sIL‐2R, IL‐8, IL‐1β, IL‐1RA, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and MIP‐1α. No IL‐12 or IL‐13 was detected in hOF, follicular fluid, or amniotic fluid.Almost no free TGF‐β1 or TGF‐β2 was found in any reproductive tract fluid except seminal plasma. Seminal plasma contained large quantities of free TGF‐β1 (9,220 ± 3,635 pg/mL) in addition to large quantities of latent TGF‐β2 (2,933 ± 2,169 pg/mL) and TGF‐β, (71,000 ± 3,240 pg/mL). Furthermore, considerable concentrations of IL‐8 (1900 ± 374 pg/mL) and sIL‐2R (350 μ/mL) exist in seminal plasma.CONCLUSIONS: HOF contains a high level of IL‐10 (588 ± 304 pg/mL), a powerful immune suppressor which probably plays a role in regulating immune responses in the fallopian tube and possibly in the endometrial cavity.Our observations suggest that seminal plasma with its huge content of TGFβ provides immune protection for sperm. Unfortunately, such high concentrations of TGFβ may also inhibit an immune defense in any organ in which semen is deposited.
Susceptibility of Equine Chorionic Girdle Cells to Lymphokine‐Activated Killer Cell Activity
Authors: Vagnoni K.E. , Schram B.R. , Ginther O.J. , Lunn D.P. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Equine chorionic girdle cells are a subpopulation of highly invasive trophoblast cells that attach and invade the uterine epithelium on Day 35 (Day 0 = day of ovulation). These invading chorionic girdle cells form endometrial cups that are associated with a marked local maternal leukocytic response that may result in the demise of the cups at Day 120 of pregnancy. Once endometrial cups become established in the uterine wall they do not express MHC antigens, and therefore may only be susceptible to non‐MHC restricted cytotoxic cells. The susceptibility of cultured chorionic girdle cells to LAK cell cytotoxicity was tested in order to evaluate the role of this type of cytotoxicity in the life‐cycle of endometrial cup tissue.METHODS: Chorionic girdle cells from ten Day 34 conceptuses were collected, cultured, and used as a target cell in a lymphokine activated killer assay to determine if these cells were susceptible to lymphokine activated killing.RESULTS: Cultured chorionic girdle cells demonstrated similar in vitro morphological features and patterns of antigen expression to those seen in vivo in endometrial cups. Cultured chorionic girdle cells were susceptible to lymphokine activated killing.CONCLUSIONS: Lymphokine activated killer cells may play a role in the degeneration of endometrial cup tissue. The potential mechanisms of regulation of uterine LAK cell activity in the horse are discussed.
Anti‐Seminal Plasma Antibodies Associated With Infertility: II. Comparative Investigation of Human Antibody Binding to Normo‐, Astheno‐, and Azoospermic Seminal Plasma Antigens
Authors: Fichorova R. , Boulanov I. , Stanislavov R. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Sera from infertile patients with elevated reactivity against normozoospermic seminal plasma (NSP) have been selected to investigate human antibody binding to seminal fluid antigens present in abnormal ejaculates.METHOD: Sera from 32 idiopathically infertile patients and 44 control sera from fertile individuals were examined by ELISA against: 1) pooled seminal plasma from asthenozoospermic ejaculates (AsthSP), 2) pooled seminal plasma from patients with aspermatogenic azoospermia (AzooSP), and 3) chromatographic fractions from NSP, AsthSP and AzooSP.RESULTS: Of 32 patients positive for anti‐NSP antibodies, only four exhibited increased reactivity to whole AsthSP and/or AzooSP, while 14 recognized antigens of different Mr and various distributions in the corresponding chromatographic fractions.CONCLUSION: Targets of human anti‐NSP antibodies might be lacking, less concentrated, and/or modified in AsthSP and AzooSP. These findings suggest their physiological importance and the possible relevance of the observed auto‐ and iso‐immune responses to infertility.
Quantitative Determination of IgG and IgA on Sperm From Infertile Patients With and Without Antisperm Antibodies
Authors: Hjort Tage 
Published: September 2011

Immunoglobulins on patients sperm were determined by an ELISA technique, modified from the RIA described by Haas and D'Cruz (Am J Reprod Immunol, 1989; 20:37–43), i.e., suspensions of washed sperm (40, 20, 10, and 5 mill/ml) were added to a dilution of peroxydaselabelled anti‐IgG or anti‐IgA, and after incubation the supernatants were transferred to cups in microtrays, coated with IgG or IgA, respectively. After incubation and washing ELISA reaction was carried out. Known amounts of IgG and IgA were processed in the same way to obtain a standard curve, allowing the Ig on the sperm to be expressed in ng/mill sperm.Ejaculates with increased viscosity revealed high values, irrespective of MAR‐results and in some cases the same was true for samples with large numbers of non‐spermatozoal cells (NSC). However, among 48 samples from men from infertile couples with negative MAR, >20 mill sperm/ml, normal viscosity, and a ratio between sperm and NSC >5, the median for IgG was 0.2 ng/mill sperm, 90% had ≤ 0.8 ng/mill sperm, and the highest value recorded was 1.9 ng/mill sperm. For IgA the median was 0.5 ng, 90% of the 47 samples contained ≤ 1.9 ng, and the highest value was 3.1 ng/mill sperm.The values for sperm from patients with a positive MAR, but without free antibodies in seminat plasma, were generally within the normal range. In contrast, increased values were recorded for most of the patients with free antibodies in seminal plasma, up to 4.2 ng/mill sperm for IgG and up to 12.5 ng/mill sperm for IgA.
Lymphocyte Subsets in the Endometrium of Patients With Endometriosis Throughout the Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Mettler L. , Volkov N.I. , Kulakov V.I. , Jürgensen A. , Parwaresch M.R. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Comparison and characterisation of different lymphocyte subsets in the endometrium of endometriosis patients and in healthy women on every day of the menstrual cycle with special emphasis on the CD4:CD8 ratio in the endometrium.METHOD: Immunohistochemical staining of 253 endometrial biopsies of infertile women with and without endometriosis with Anti‐Leu4 (CD3), Anti‐Leu3a (CD4), Anti‐Leu2a (CD8), Anti‐Leu7 and Anti‐Human‐B‐cell (CD22) using the immune peroxidase reaction. Identification and counting of positive lymphocytes were performed on cryostat sections.RESULTS: Endometrial lymphocyte subsets show equal quantity and distribution in endometriosis patients and in the control group. After a peak in the early proliferative phase the absolute number of T lymphocytes decreases while a predominance of T‐suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8) compared to T‐helper/inducer lymphocytes (CD4) occurs towards the end of the menstrual cycle.CONCLUSION: Endometrium as the potential parent epithelia of endometriosis lesions seems not to be altered in its lymphatic cell content compared to healthy women. Furthermore, endometrium is clearly characterised as part of the mucosa associated lymphatic tissue (MALT). T lymphocytes show specific quantitative changes due to different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Amnion Epithelial Cells, in Contrast to Trophoblast Cells, Express All Classical HLA Class I Molecules Together With HLA‐G
Authors: Hammer Astrid , Hutter Heinz , Blaschitz Astrid , Mahnert Wolfgang , Hartmann Michaele , Uchanska‐Ziegler Barbara , Ziegler Andreas , Dohr Gottfried 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The expression of the non‐classical HLA‐G gene has been shown at the protein level on trophoblast‐derived embryonic tissue, like the extravillous cytotrophoblast. However, the presence of HLA‐G on embryoblast‐derived cells is currently controversial. The amnion epithelium is an embryoblast‐derived cell layer covering the amnion cavity and is the main source for the amnion fluid.METHOD: The expression of HLA class I molecules was investigated by immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular biological methods in amnion membranes and amnion fluid.RESULTS: Immunohistochemically, HLA‐C and occasionally also ‐B molecules as well as HLA‐A and/or ‐G molecules have been identified on amnion epithelial cells. These results were extended by Western blotting with purified amnion epithelial cells where HLA‐B and/ or ‐C, HLA‐A and HLA‐G antigens have been detected. As expected HLA‐G mRNA was detected in amnion epithelial cells. Furthermore, classical HLA molecules as well as HLA‐G were found in amnion fluid.CONCLUSION: These results show that the amnion epithelium frequently expresses classical HLA class I molecules as well as HLA‐G. The expression of HLA‐G antigens on amnion epithelial cells and their presence in the amnion fluid, which is continually ingested by the fetus, may be particularly relevant for the induction of peripheral tolerance.
Occurrence of the Interference of Sperm‐Associated Antibodies on Sperm Fertilizing Ability as Evaluated by the Sperm‐Zona Pellucida Binding Test and by the TEST‐Yolk Buffer Enhanced Sperm Penetration Assay
Authors: FRANCAVILLA F. , ROMANO R. , SANTUCCI R. , MARRONE V. , PROPERZI G. , RUVOLO G. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: This study was performed to evaluate the occurrence as well as the level of the interference of sperm‐associated antibodies on fertilization process.METHOD: Motile sperm suspensions from 28 infertile patients with high degree of autoimmunization against the sperm head were tested with the zona pellucida (ZP) binding test and with the sperm penetration assay (SPA) enhanced with TEST‐yolk buffer. Both tests were also performed using donor sperm exposed and non‐exposed to the patients' circulating sperm antibodies.RESULTS: A low ZP‐binding was exhibited by sperm from 50% of patients with normal semen profile. All normozoospermic patients with low ZP‐binding showed circulating sperm‐antibodies with inhibitory effect on ZP‐binding, while no patient with normal ZP‐binding showed circulating sperm‐antibodies with inhibitory effect. No normozoospermic patient exhibited a negative SPA result, and only in 16% of cases the penetration index was slightly less than 2 (the lowest value exhibited by fertile controls). Circulating antisperm‐antibodies did not significantly affect the hamster egg penetration.CONCLUSION: Even in the presence of high degree of autoimmunization against the sperm‐head, sperm fusion with oolemma is not impaired after sperm preincubation with TEST‐yolk buffer, while an impairment of the ZP‐binding is demonstrable in half cases, when non‐immunologic factors are excluded. A substantial role in this interference is likely exerted by IgG antibodies transuded from the blood into the genital tract.
Perforin‐Expressing Lymphocytes in Peripheral Blood and Decidua of Human First‐Trimester Pathological Pregnancies
Authors: Gulan Gordan , Podack Eckhard R. , Rukavina Dr. Daniel , Gudelj Lea , Rubesa Gordana , Petrovic Oleg , Johnson Peter M. , Christmas Stephen E. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: We have shown previously that the decidua of first‐trimester human pregnancy is heavily infiltrated with perforin‐positive cells. The aim was to detect expression of perforin in both decidual lymphocytes (DL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in the first trimester of pathological pregnancies: Anembryonic pregnancy and missed abortion.METHOD: Decidual tissue from a normal pregnancy group and from pathological pregnancies was obtained by vaginal curettage. Perforin (an intracellular antigen) and the cell surface antigens CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD56, CD11c, and CD45RA were quantified simultaneously by flow cytometric analysis.RESULTS: In the missed abortion group, we found: 1) a relative decrease in the frequency of both CD4+P+ cells and CD56+P+ cells as well as the mean fluorescence intensity for perforin; 2) a relative increase of CD16+P+ PBL cells; and 3) a relative increase of CD4+ cells in PBL compared with anembryonic pregnancy and normal pregnancy. There was also a significant relative decrease in the proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ cells among perforin‐positive PBL in both anembryonic pregnancy and missed abortion.CONCLUSION: Our results show that significant decreases in the prevalence of perforin‐positive lymphoid cells, their subpopulations, and mean fluorescence intensity for perforin are associated with pregnancy failure.
Immunotherapy Before and During Pregnancy Improves Pregnancy Outcome in Women Who Suffer from Recurrent Abortion and Did Not Benefit from Immunotherapy Before Pregnancy
Authors: Maejima Masamoto , Fujii Tomoyuki , Yamashita Takahiro , Hara Naonori , Hamai Yoko , Miki Akinori , Kozuma Shiro , Okai Takashi , Shibata Yoichi , Taketani Yuji 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The appropriate modality of immunotherapy with the husband's mononuclear cells in women with a history of recurrent abortion who aborted despite the immunotherapy performed before pregnancy was explored.METHOD OF STUDY: Nineteen patients who had suffered from recurrent abortion who had received the immunotherapy only before pregnancy and had aborted were treated with further immunotherapy performed either only before pregnancy or twice: before and during pregnancy. RESULTS: In 9 out of the 19 women who received further immunotherapy before pregnancy, 2 had healthy babies and 7 aborted again. In the remaining 10 patients who received further immunotherapy twice, before and during pregnancy, 8 had healthy babies and 2 aborted again.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that immunotherapy performed before and during pregnancy produces a better outcome compared with that performed only before pregnancy, especially in patients who showed no benefit from the immunotherapy performed only before pregnancy.
IL‐15, a Novel Cytokine Produced by Human Fetal Membranes, Is Elevated in Preterm Labor
Authors: Fortunato Stephen J. , Menon Ramkumar , Lombardi Salvatore J. 
Published: September 2011

METHOD OF STUDY: Amniochorionic membranes were cultured in an organ explant system and were stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Samples were subjected to reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using specific primers for IL‐15 and IL‐2. The localization of mRNA and protein was accomplished by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. IL‐15 was measured in culture media and amniotic fluid from term and preterm gestations by enzyme‐linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: RT‐PCR indicated the expression of IL‐15 mRNA in the amniochorion. In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry documented that mRNA and peptide for IL‐15 are found in amnion, chorion, and decidual cells. ELISA results indicated no significant increase of IL‐15 peptides in the culture media after LPS stimulation. Maximum levels of this cytokine were seen in the amniotic fluid (AF) of women with preterm labor compared to term labor. AF levels were not higher in preterm‐labor patients with proved infection compared with those without infection. RT‐PCR‐based detection also showed the presence of two isoforms of IL‐15 mRNA known to code for two different leader peptide sequences. IL‐2 mRNA expression was not observed in the fetal membranes.CONCLUSIONS: The presence of IL‐15 mRNA and peptide in the amniochorion and decidua and its increased presence in the AF during preterm labor suggests a possible role for IL‐15 in preterm labor. Amniochorion is also shown to possess two IL‐15 isoform leader sequences, the differential expression of which may be involved in the regulation of IL‐15 secretion.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Prevention of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion: The European Experience
Authors: Christiansen Ole B. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Clinical trials of the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in Europe were reported and discussed.METHOD OF STUDY: A search of the published literature, combined with our own published and unpublished results, was performed.RESULTS: Two placebo‐controlled trials have been concluded in Europe. One trial found high but equal success rates in both the IvIg and the placebo group. Another trial found that IvIg treatment may increase the success rate by 24% compared with placebo but that the result was not statistically significant, which might be due to the small number of patients. Reasons for the diverse results of the two trials were discussed.CONCLUSION: More and larger placebo‐controlled trials of IvIg treatment in RSA are needed before drawing definitive conclusions.
Type 2 Cadherins in the Human Endometrium and Placenta: Their Putative Roles in Human Implantation and Placentation
Authors: Maccalman Colin D. , Getsios Spiro , Chen George T.C. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The Cadherins are a gene superfamily of calcium‐dependent cell adhesion molecules. To date, the role(s) of the Cadherins in human implantation remains poorly defined. METHOD OF STUDY: The spatiotemporal expression of the type 2 Cadherins, known as Cadherin‐11 and cadherin‐6, in the endometrium and placenta was examined using the reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: Cadherin‐6 and Cadherin‐11 are differentially expressed in the endometrial stroma during the menstrual cycle. The switch between cadherin‐6 and Cadherin‐11 expression in the endometrial stroma occurs during the late secretory phase. Maximum Cadherin‐11 mRNA levels were observed in the decidua of early pregnancy but were markedly reduced at term. In the placenta, Cadherin‐11 is expressed in the syncytial trophoblast and extravillous cytotrophoblast columns. However, cadherin‐6 seems to be the predominant Cadherin subtype present in highly invasive extravillous cytotrophoblasts.CONCLUSION: Cadherin‐11 and cadherin‐6 may play a central role in the formation and organization of the human endometrium and placenta.
Endometrial Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) as a Possible Cause of Unexplained Infertility and Multiple Failures of Implantation
Authors: Hambartsoumian Edouard 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The possible role of leukemia inhibiting factor (LIF) in unexplained infertility and multiple failures of implantation (MFI) was evaluated.METHOD OF STUDY: By a specific and sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the in vitro endometrial LIF secretion by explant cultures from women with unexplained infertility (n = 32) was examined. Endometrial samples were obtained on either days 8–11 of the proliferative phase or days 18–21 of the secretory phase. In some subjects (n = 11) an endometrial biopsy was performed twice, both in the proliferative and in the secretory phase of the cycle. The control group consisted of fertile women (n = 17).RESULTS: In fertile women the endometrial LIF secretion was 2.2 times higher in the secretory phase samples than in the proliferative phase samples (mean ± SEM, 3259 ± 314 pg in the proliferative phase vs. 7726 ± 1192 in the secretory phase; P < 0.05). In contrast, infertile women exhibited no such elevation of cytokine production. Moreover, in infertile women with MFI the level of LIF in the secretory phase demonstrated the tendency to decrease (mean ± SEM, 4953 ± 1125 pg Vs. 2162 ± 541 pg; P > 0.05). When the amount of cytokine secretion was compared on the same day of the cycle between the two groups of women, the LIF production in fertile women on days 18–21 of the menstrual cycle was 3.5 times greater than in the infertile women with MFI and 2.2 times greater than in women without MFI (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). On days 8–11 of the cycle, the level of LIF in these groups did not differ significantly, however, in infertile women the range of distribution of cytokine was largely varied, demonstrating the highest amplitude of variations in subjects with MFI. Analyses of the data for women to whom LIF was examined in both phases of the cycle showed that some subjects (27%) exhibited an elevated amount of LIF in the secretory phase of the cycle. This suggests that in these cases the endometrial factor(s) may be irrelevant to infertility.CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of infertile women there is a deregulation of LIF production in the endometrium during both the proliferative and the secretory phases of the cycle. The dysfunction of cytokine production is more profound in patients with MFI. The deregulation of endometrial LIF secretion throughout the menstrual cycle may be a possible cause of unexplained infertility and repetitive failures of implantation.