bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibodies to Endometrial Transferrin and Alpha 2‐Heremans Schmidt (HS) Glycoprotein in Patients With Endometriosis
Authors: MATHUR SUBBI PILLAI , ZHOU GARY X. , JIANG HAIXIANG , BUTLER WILLIAM J. , ZHANG HUAMEI , ARNAUD PHILIPPE 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Identifying the endometrial antigens inciting autoimmunity is important in setting up an antibody assay for a non‐invasive diagnosis and clinical monitoring of endometriosis.METHODS: Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis of endometrial extracts, Western blot analysis, passive hemagglutination and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), amino acid sequencing and molecular studies were done on chosen antigens. Forty‐six women with endometriosis, 4 women with uterine leiomyomata, 4 with pelvic adhesions, 3 with repeat Cesarean sections (conditions that coexist with or predispose to endometriosis) and 46 controls participated.RESULTS: Antigens with molecular weights (MW) of 64 kDa [isoelectric point (pI) of 3.5‐4.0] and 72 kDa (pI of 4.5) bound to IgG in all patients with endometriosis, but not the controls. Amino acid sequencing of the proteins revealed that they had homology to alpha 2‐Heremans Schmidt (HS) glycoprotein (MW: 64 kDa) and transferrin (MW: 72 kDa). Endometriosis patients had significant antibody levels to these two proteins (predictive value of 80–90%). The analysis of patients' endometrial RNA detected the message for alpha 2‐HS glycoprotein and transferrin. Albumin (pI 5.5) and collagen (pI 3.5) failed to elicit antibody responses.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with endometriosis have significant antibodies to endometrial transferrin and alpha 2‐HS‐glycoprotein. We can effectively use an antibody assay using these antigens for diagnosing endometriosis.
Changes in Soluble CD4 and CD8 Proteins in Healthy Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Authors: Watanabe Mikio , Iwatani Yoshinori , Hidaka Yoh , Mitsuda Nobuaki , Amino Nobuyuki 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: We examined physiological changes in serum levels of soluble CD4 (sCD4) and soluble CD8 (sCD8) during pregnancy and 1–12 months postpartum to study changes in the maternal immune system during and after pregnancy.METHOD: The serum concentrations of sCD4 and sCD8 were measured by enzyme immunoassay in the sera separated from blood samples withdrawn from healthy women in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy and 1,4,7, and 10–12 months postpartum (n=182) and healthy non‐pregnant women (n=25), and in 90 of the women, the changes in sCD4 and sCD8 were compared with changes in the number of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ cells measured by flow cytometry.RESULTS: The serum concentration of sCD4 decreased throughout pregnancy, from the first trimester, and recovered gradually after delivery. The serum concentration of sCD8 did not change significantly during or after pregnancy compared to the concentration in the nonpregnant controls, but the concentration 1 month postpartum was significantly higher than that in the 3rd trimester. The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells decreased during pregnancy but did not change significantly after delivery. Interestingly, the ratio of the serum sCD4 level to the number of CD4+ cells decreased and the ratio of the sCD8 level to the number of CD8+ cells increased in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, but these ratios were within the normal range from the third trimester of pregnancy to 10–12 months postpartum.CONCLUSIONS: Decreases in serum sCD4 concentration and in the ratio sCD4/CD4+ cells, and an increase in the ratio sCD8/CD8+ cells may be important factors in the immunological changes that occur during pregnancy.
In Vitro Sperm Phagocytosis by Human Peritoneal Macrophages in Endometriosis‐Associated Infertility
Authors: Jha P. , Farooq A. , Agarwal N. , Buckshee K. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The mechanism of infertility in women with endometriosis remains obscure. In this context the role of peritoneal macrophage's sperm phagocytic ability in infertile women with and without endometriosis was investigated.METHOD: Analysis of peritoneal macrophage concentration and in vitro sperm phagocytosis in 10 infertile women with endometriosis and 10 infertile women without endometriosis was carried out.RESULTS: It was observed that infertile women with endometriosis are associated with higher concentration and higher sperm phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages than those without endometriosis.CONCLUSION: Despite the small number of women in this study, it may be concluded that the increased number of peritoneal macrophages coupled with enhanced in vitro sperm phagocytosis may disturb fertilization and thereby cause infertility.
Identification of Human Sperm Antigen Recognized by Serum of an Immunoinfertile Woman: A Candidate for Immunocontraception
Authors: Suri A. , Chhabra S. , Upadhyay S. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: It has been well documented that antisperm antibodies can be causative factors of infertility. In this study we have identified an antigen on human sperm surface using serum of an immunoinfertile woman; it is thus a candidate for immunocontraception.METHOD: Thirty‐three women of reproductive age who were infertile were screened for presence of antisperm antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence and agglutination assay. The serum of one such woman, SU‐4, reacted with her husband's as well as normal donor sperm and recognized a band of apparent molecular weight of 71‐kDa on Western blot. Anti‐71 ‐kDa antiserum was raised in rabbit by eluting 71 ‐kDa protein and was characterized by agglutination test, immunofluorescence assay, transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and sperm‐egg interaction in mouse system.RESULTS: Interestingly, sera raised in rabbit against 71‐kDa antigen, was identified by immunoinfertile serum of SU‐4, revealed similar results of localization of human acrosome. Anti‐71‐kDa antibodies showed cross‐reactivity with other species of sperm, demonstrated inhibition of sperm attachment to oocytes in an in vitro mouse system, and revealed surface binding of human live sperm by flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy documented the presence of 71‐kDa antigen in the acrosomal compartment.CONCLUSION: This study has put in evidence an antigen of apparent molecular weight of 71‐kDa in all donor sperm tested in this study. The presence of this antigen on the sperm of several species will enable us to determine the efficacy of this antigen in controlling fertility in vivo in both rodents and primates. This antigen may be a candidate for immunocontraception.
Human Cytotrophoblastic Cells Absorb the NK Blocking Activity of Monoclonal BA11
Authors: Cadavid A.P. , Guilbert L.J. , Jalali G.R. , Underwood J.L. , Mowbray J.F. , Clark D.A. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: R80K is a polymorphic alloantigeneic protein present on human placental trophoblast and on paternal B lymphocytes and monocytes. This protein, unlike the former candidate TLX antigen, stimulates a protective maternal immune response in vivo. A murine monoclonal BA11 antibody, directed against R80K, prevents abortion in three murine pregnancy‐failure models and inhibits human and murine NK activity. We attempted to define the target of BA11 in the human NK assay system.METHODS: A CELISA method was used to detect R80K antigen on the surface of different cells using the BA11 antibody. The effect, on human peripheral blood NK activity against K562, by BA11 before and after absorption by different cells, including the K562 target, was determined.RESULTS: R80K was detected on term placental syncytio and cytotrophoblast and on BeWo cells, by CELISA. BA11 suppressed NK lysis of K562 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Absorption of the BA11 by BeWo and by cytotrophoblastic cells significantly decreased the NK‐inhibitory activity. There was minimal absorption by K562 and BA11‐pretreated K562 cells remained susceptible to NK lysis. By contrast, BA11‐pretreated peripheral blood cells lost all NK activity.CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of NK killing of K562 cells by BA11 is more complex than a simple masking of a trophoblast cell‐associated molecule in K562 necessary for recognition in NK cells.
Regulation of Abortion by γλ T Cells
Authors: Arck Petra C. , Ferrick David A. , Steele‐Norwood Darlene , Croitoru Ken , Clark David A. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: T cells are present at the feto‐maternal interface, but their function during pregnancy has not been fully elucidated. T cells bearing γλ T‐cell receptor (TCR) may be particularly important, as some subsets can react to trophoblast cells by producing cytokines, such as interleukin‐2 (IL‐2).METHOD: We depleted T cells bearing the γλ receptor by injecting monoclonal antibodies (mAB) into females of the abortion‐prone animal model CBA x DBA/2. We investigated the percentage and number of γλ T‐cell receptor positive (TCR)+ cells in decidua and spleen during pregnancy in control and γλ‐depleted female mice. Pregnant females were also exposed to ultrasonic sound stress to boost the abortion rate.RESULTS: Stress failed to increase the abortion rate in the γλ TCR‐depleted mice. FACScan analysis show that the ratio of cells bearing the γλ TCR dramatically decreased after injection of mAB to the γλ TCR in spleen and decidua, these cells recovered six days after depletion, showing a change in cytokine pattern. Levels of TNF‐α in decidual γλ T cells decreased; similar effects of decreasing Th1 cytokines could be observed in splenic γλ T cells. We further identified increased levels of intracellular TNF‐α in the Vλ4 subset in the decidua, compared to spleen.CONCLUSIONS: Trophoblast recognition by the Vλ4 T‐cell subset in the decidua may cause the release of abortogenic cytokines such as TNF‐α. Depletion of such γλ TCR T cells during early pregnancy may promote successful pregnancy outcome in normal pregnancy and prevent stress‐induced abortions.
Increased Expression of Cell Surface Markers on Endometrial γδ T‐Cell Receptor+ Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Induced by the Local Presence of the Sheep Conceptus
Authors: Liu Wen‐Jun , Gottshall Susan L. , Hansen Peter J. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: In sheep, γδ T‐cell receptor (TCR)+ cells are a major lymphocyte subpopulation in the luminal epithelium of the uterine endometrium. During late pregnancy, this population of T cells increases in number and becomes more granulated. This study was performed to determine whether this apparent activation was induced by local effects of the conceptus or systemic effects of pregnancy.METHODS: The unilaterally‐pregnant ewe, in which the conceptus is surgically confined to one uterine horn, was used to distinguish between systemic and local effects of pregnancy on function of endometrial γδ TCR+ intraepithelial lymphocytes. Lymphocytes collected from peripheral blood, and from the endometrial luminal epithelium of cyclic and unilaterally‐pregnant ewes (day 140 of gestation) were analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS: As compared to γδ TCR+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood, γδ TCR+ intraepithelial lymphocytes from non‐pregnant ewes had a lower percentage of cells staining positive for CD25, CD44, and L‐selectin. There was no effect of pregnancy on the percentage of γδ TCR+ peripheral blood lymphocytes staining positive for CD25, CD44, CD29, or L‐selectin. Similarly, the percentage of intraepithelial lymphocytes staining positive for these antigens was similar for cells collected from cyclic ewes and cells from the nonpregnant uterine horn of unilaterally‐pregnant ewes. In contrast, there was a higher percentage of CD25, CD44, CD29, and L‐selectin+ cells for γδ TCR+ intraepithelial lymphocytes from the conceptus‐containing uterine horn of pregnant ewes than for γδ TCR+ intraepithelial lymphocytes from the endometrium of cyclic ewes or from the nonpregnant uterine horn of pregnant ewes.CONCLUSION: The local presence of the conceptus causes changes in cell surface marker expression on endometrial γδ TCR+ intraepithelial lymphocytes during pregnancy. These changes may reflect conceptus‐induced activation of this population of cells.
Differential Expression of IGF‐I and IGF‐II in Eutopic and Ectopic Endometria of Women With Endometriosis and in Women Without Endometriosis
Authors: SBRACIA M. , SCARPELLINI F. , ZUPI E. , MANNA C. , MARCONI D. , ROMANINI C. , ALO P. , DI TONDO U. , GRASSO J.A. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Factors regulating the development, growth, and differentiation of endometrial cells of endometriotic lesions are poorly understood. To investigate the paracrine‐autocrine regulation of ectopic endometrial cell growth, the expression of IGF‐I and IGF‐II were studied.METHOD: Tissue specimens of eutopic and ectopic endometria were obtained from eight patients with endometriosis at laparoscopy and from the endometria of 14 women without endometriosis as controls. They were tested for the expression of IGF‐I and IGF‐II by immunohistochemical analysis.RESULTS: Immunohistochemical study for IGF‐I in controls showed a more intense staining during the proliferative phase both in stromal and epithelial cells. In eutopic endometria of women with endometriosis a reduction in the staining was observed, whereas in epithelial cells of fibrotic peritoneal adhesions an intense immunostaining for IGF‐I was observed. Immunohistochemical study of IGF‐II in controls showed a more intense staining during secretory phase both in stromal and epithelial cells. In eutopic endometria of women with endometriosis, a reduction in the staining was observed, whereas in epithelial cells of fibrotic peritoneal adhesions an intense immunostaining for IGF‐I was observed. Immunohistochemical study of IGF‐II in controls showed a more intense staining during secretory phase both in stromal and epithelial cells. In eutopic endometria of women with endometriosis, a reduction in the staining was observed, whereas in epithelial cells of ovarian lesions and fibrotic peritoneal adhesions, no immunostaining for IGF‐II was observed.CONCLUSIONS: In endometriosis there is an alteration of mechanisms regulating cell proliferation and differentiation.
Growth‐Regulated α Expression in Human Preovulatory Follicles and Ovarian Cells
Authors: Oral Engin , Seli Emre , Bahtiyar Mert O. , Jones Ervin E. , Arici Aydin 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Around the time of ovulation the number of neutrophils increases in the theca of the leading follicle. We hypothesized that growth‐regulated a (GROα), a neutrophil chemoattractant/activating factor, may be a modulator of periovulatory neutrophil chemotaxis.METHOD: GROα levels were measured in follicular fluids (n = 61). Granulosa‐lutein and ovarian stromal cells were also cultured. After experimental paradigms, GROα mRNA was evaluated by Northern analysis, GROα in follicular fluids, and culture supernatants were quantified using ELISA.RESULTS: In follicular fluids the mean pre‐human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) GROα level was 51 ± 24 (±SEM) pg/ml, post‐hCG it was 210 ± 20 pg/ml (P = 0.04). GROα was produced constitutively by ovarian stromal and granulosa‐lutein cells. Interleukin‐α (IL‐1α) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) further stimulated GROα production. Treatment of stromal cells with hCG also stimulated GROα production.CONCLUSION: GROα is a constituent of periovulatory follicular fluid. Ovarian stromal and granulosa‐lutein cells express the GROα mRNA and produce the protein. The regulation of GROα by cytokines and hCG suggests that GROα may play a role in the process of ovulation.
Anti‐Endometrial Autoantibodies in Women with a Diagnosis of Infertility
Authors: Palacio J.R. , Iborra A. , Martinez P. , Gris J.M. , Andolz P. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the frecuency of anti‐endometrial antibodies (AEA) in infertile women.METHOD OF STUDY: Sera from fertile women (n = 6), and from patients with ovulatory dysfunction (n = 11), tubal obstruction (n = 9) and unexplained infertility (n = 5) were investigated for the presence of anti‐endometrial membrane antibodies. We used two human endometrial cancer cell lines and human endometrial cells from gynecological biopsies as an antigenic source for analysis. The immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) was performed with cultured endometrial cells in monolayers. Immunoblot analysis was performed with these two cell lines.RESULTS: A good correlation between the response with each cell line and with human endometrial cells was obtained, indicating that the antigens analyzed were probably similar. Endometrial antibodies were detectable in a high percentage of women with tubal obstruction (77.8 and 66.7%, respectively) and ovulatory dysfunction (54.5 and 45.5%, respectively). Unexplained infertility showed anti‐endometrial immunological response (40 and 60%, respectively). Some endometrial antigens in infertile women are the target for autoimmune response. The serum from a patient with tubal obstruction and ovulatory dysfunction showed two antigens by immunoblot, with molecular weights of 97 and 50 kDa.CONCLUSION: The presence of anti‐endometrial antibodies, detected by ELISA, is associated with infertility, mainly with ovulatory dysfunction and tubal obstruction. Some endometrial antigens may be involved in these two pathologies.
HLA Class I Expression on the Materno‐Fetal Interface
Authors: Hammer Astrid , Hutter Heinz , Dohr Gottfried 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The conditions that permit the genetically dissimilar (haplo‐non‐identical) human fetus to evade rejection by its mothers immune system have been the subject of intense interest for several years. As the placental cells, which are in contact with maternal blood or tissue, are devoid of HLA class II antigens, the interest has focused on the expression of HLA class I molecules.METHOD OF STUDY: Recent findings on the constitutive, transcriptional, and translational expression of HLA class I molecules on anatomically and morphologically different sub‐populations of trophoblast cells will form the basis of this article.RESULTS: The expression of HLA class I molecules in the trophoblast cells, forming the materno‐fetal junctional zone is inhomogeneous. It differs depending on the differentiation and location of trophoblast cells within the placenta and furthermore on the stage of gestation. On the transcriptional level HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐E, and ‐G could be detected on individual trophoblast populations, whereas only HLA‐C and HLA‐G seem to be translated to protein. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of HLA class I antigens by trophoblast cells is not simply suppressed. Instead, less polymorphic HLA‐G and HLA‐C antigens are carefully selected from the class I multigene family. This gives rise to the assumption that these two HLA class I molecules play an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy.
Phenotypic Analysis of Adhesion Molecules in First‐Trimester Decidual Tissue From Chorion Villus Samples
Authors: Haynes Mrk K. , Wapner Rnald L. , Jackson Lird G. , Smith J. Bruce 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: First‐trimester decidua contain CD56bright /CD16neg lymphocytes that phenotypically resemble a subset of peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells. Factors controlling their localization to decidua are unknown, but they may relate to trophoblast invasion, endometrial decidualization, and adhesion molecule expression.METHOD OF STUDY: Ninety‐one chorion villous samples (CVS) were screened for the presence of decidua, and selected specimens were analyzed for the expression of adhesion molecule pairs using a panel of monoclonal antibodies.RESULTS: Lymphoid cells in CVS‐derived decidua expressed CD56, PECAM, intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), and the integrins LFA‐1, αEβ7, and α4β1, and co‐receptors for these molecules were expressed by decidual stromal cells, invasive trophoblasts, and venule endothelium. Some endothelium expressed a cuboidal phenotype.CONCLUSIONS: The expression of complimentary pairs of adhesion molecules by maternal lymphoid cells and by either extravillous cytotrophoblast or decidual stromal cells supports the hypothesis that these cells interact within decidua. Also, both LFA‐1 and α4β1 may contribute to decidual localization of CD56bright NK cells.
Detection of Human Defensins in the Placenta
Authors: Svinarich David M. , Gomez Ricardo , Romero Roberto 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The placenta is a highly selective barrier against the hematogenous dissemination of infectious agents. Despite the presence of seemingly intact physical and immunologic barriers, infections nonetheless occur. These observations prompted the examination of placental tissue, amnion, and chorion for previously unrecognized protective mechanisms.METHOD OF STUDY: Messenger RNA from term placenta, amnion, and chorion were reverse transcribed using a 3′ RACE adapter. 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on cDNA from these tissues to detect the presence of human defensins. Southern analysis and partial sequence analysis were subsequently performed to confirm identity.RESULTS: PCR amplification of placental, amnion, and chorion cDNA yielded a 468‐bp product and a weakly detectable band of 300 bp. Southern analysis demonstrated two corresponding hybridizing bands in the placenta, amnion, and chorion but not from a negative cDNA control. Partial sequence analysis of the 468‐bp product from placenta confirmed the presence of either defensin 1 or 3 in human placenta.CONCLUSIONS: The human placenta, amnion, and chorion express defensins at the level of transcription. These findings suggest that a novel and previously unrecognized mechanism of protecting the fetus against infection may be present within these tissues.
Gonadotropins Do Not Induce Antiphospholipid Antibodies
Authors: Franklin R. D. , Bronson R. A. , Kutteh W. H. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To determine whether the increased incidence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) in women undergoing assisted reproduction might be secondary to superovulation with gonadotropins, predisposing women to an abnormal immune response and thus inducing APAs.METHOD OF STUDY: Women undergoing assisted reproduction with gonadotropins for the first time were selected and tested before the initiation of the stimulation cycle, during the cycle, and at the end of the cycle (group 1). Women who had undergone gonadotropin stimulation at least 60 days earlier (group 2) and normal, nonpregnant, fertile women (group 3) also were evaluated. Serum samples were assayed by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method.RESULTS: Ten (20%) of 50 women in group 1 were positive for APAs. The 10 women who were positive for APAs remained positive throughout the treatment cycle. Positive antibodies were identified in 12 (24%) of 50 women in group 2, not significantly different from group 1 (P = 0.81). Antibodies were present in 2 of 50 normal fertile control subjects, significantly less frequently than in group 1 (P < 0.03) and in group 2 (P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that gonadotropin administration and/or the ovarian response to stimulation does not predispose women to the induction of APAs. Moreover, the incidence of APAs in this population, which is higher than that found in normal fertile women, cannot be explained by cycle‐induced events.