bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of Experimental Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome in PL/J Mice Following Immunization With β2GPI
Authors: García César O. , Kanbour‐Shakir A. , Tang Hua , Molina José F. , Espinoza Luis R. , Gharavi Azzudin E. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Immunization with β2‐glycoprotein I (β2GPI) induces antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in normal mice and rabbits. Recently we reported early onset of autoimmunity in MRL/++ mice following immunization with β2GPI. There is a close association between aPL with thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, and intrauterine growth retardation. In this study we evaluated the effect of β2GPI‐induced aPL on pregnancy outcomes in an inbred strain of mice (PL/J).METHOD: Three groups of seven‐week‐old female PL/J mice (12 per group) were studied. Group A was immunized with β2GPI and group B with ovalbumin; group C was not immunized. After two booster injections, the mice were tested for aPL, anti‐DNA by ELISA, and for ANA by indirect immunofluorescence. Platelet count and pregnancy outcomes were studied at the age of 14 weeks.RESULTS: The aPL and anti‐DNA levels were higher at 12 and 14 weeks in group A; the optical densities (OD) were 1.72±0.6 and 0.699±0.25 for group A, 0.091 ±0.040 and 0.230±0.47 for group B, and 0.0435±0.003 and 0.119±0.026 for group C (comparing group A with groups B and C combined, P<0.001). ANA titers rose in groups A and B by age, but they were significantly higher at 14 weeks in group A. The mean titers were 1/286, 1/90, and 1/16 for A, B, and C, respectively (P<0.001). The platelet counts were not significantly different among the three groups. The litter size was significantly smaller in group A, as evidenced by the numbers of viable fetuses among the mice that became pregnant in each group: 0.75, 2.45, and 5.5 in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Seven pregnant mice in group A had complete resorption, seven pregnant mice in group B showed focal (partial) resorption areas, and only one mouse in group C had complete resorption of the embryos, as shown by histopathological studies, although the fecundity rate was similar in the three groups.CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a pathogenic role for β2GPI‐induced aPL in the development of experimental models of APS in PL/J mice.
TGFβ2 in Rabbit Blastocoelic Fluid Regulates CD4 Membrane Expression: Possible Role in the Success of Gestation
Authors: Ouellette Marie‐Josée , Dubois Claire M. , Bergeron Dominic , Roy Raynald , Lambert Raymond D. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: During pregnancy, major changes occur in the decidual cell population. One of these changes involves some phenotypical transformations of lymphocyte sub‐populations. Since these variations might be due to the presence of the embryo, the current study was designed to investigate the implication of blastocoelic fluid (BF) in these changes and to determine the mechanism by which this phenomenon occurs.METHOD: Lymphocytes isolated from human peripheral blood (PBL) were cultured for 72 h in RPMI‐FCS 10% and with or without BF day 12 (BF d‐12) or Concanavalin A (ConA). After 72 h, T cells were labelled with anti‐CD4 antibodies and Quantum Simply Cellular microbeads were used as a standard to evaluate the antibody binding capacity (ABC).RESULTS: Treatment of human PBL with BF d‐12 decreases the percentage of CD4 and TCR positive cells, as compared to non‐stimulated cells, but has no significant effect on CD2, CD3, and CD8 positive cells. It was also demonstrated, for the first time, that transforming growth factor beta‐2 (TGFβ2) in BF day 12 diminishes the percentage of CD4 positive cells by downregulating CD4 membrane expression on leucocytes.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the embryo plays a key role in its own protection. Furthermore, it is predicted that any tissue producing TGFβ2, such as certain types of tumor, downregulates the immune response, thus allowing tumor growth.
Expression of CD15 (Lewisx) Antigen on Human Sperm and its Role in Sperm‐Egg Interaction
Authors: D'Cruz Osmond J. , Lambert Hovey , Haas Gilbert G. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The carbohydrate epitope 3‐fucosyl‐N‐acetyllactosamine (CD15) is a constituent of cell surface glycoconjugates that has been implicated in cell‐cell adhesion mediated by carbohydrate‐specific ligands. The present study was designed to investigate whether CD15 is present on human sperm and whether it plays a role in human sperm‐egg interaction.METHODS: Fluorescent flow cytometry was used to quantitate the binding of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to sperm‐bound CD15 and CD46 antigens on acrosome‐intact (AI) and acrosome‐reacted (AR) sperm. The location of the binding site of these mAbs was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. The effects of anti‐CD15 and anti‐CD46 mAbs on gamete interaction were tested utilizing both homologous (human zona binding and penetration) and heterologous (zona‐free hamster egg binding and penetration) systems.RESULTS: The mean percentage of capacitated sperm which bound anti‐CD15 or anti‐CD46 mAbs was low (4.8% and 5.1%, respectively). Exposure to calcium ionophore A23187 (CaI) resulted in an increase in anti‐CD15 (38.6 ± 4%) and anti‐CD46 (83.4 ± 2%) binding to sperm. Both anti‐CD 15 and anti‐CD46 binding sites were localized by fluorescence microscopy on the sperm acrosomal region. In four experiments, the percent of zona‐free hamster eggs penetrated by human sperm were medium control 93% (62/66), irrelevant mAb 74% (70/94), anti‐CD46 0% (0/107), and anti‐CD15 10% (9/90). One hundred percent (6/6) of human zona were penetrated by human sperm exposed to medium control, 88% (8/9) following exposure to irrelevant mAb, 0% (0/11) following exposure to anti‐CD46, and 50% (5/10) following exposure to anti‐CD 15. The mean (± SD of tightly bound sperm to hamster eggs were medium control 57 ± 18%, irrelevant mAb 64 ± 16%, anti‐CD46 37 ± 13%, and anti‐CD15 19 ± 10%. The corresponding values for human zona were: medium control 118 ± 14%, irrelevant mAb 61 ± 11%, anti‐CD46 39 ± 18%, and anti‐CD15 99 ± 19%.CONCLUSION: CD15 antigen is expressed on human sperm that have undergone acrosomal loss. mAb to CD15 was shown to inhibit significantly sperm binding and penetration of zona‐free hamster eggs and penetration of human zona pellucida. These findings suggested that sperm‐egg interaction may be mediated in part by the CD15 antigen.Capsule: Acrosome‐reacted human sperm bind monoclonal antibodies specific for CD15 (Lewisx) epitope. The binding sites were located on the sperm head. Anti‐CD15 antibody impaired both the binding and penetration of zona‐free hamster eggs and the penetration of human zona by human sperm.
Interleukin‐10 in Preovulatory Follicular Fluid of Patients Undergoing In‐Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer
Authors: Geva Eli , Lessing Joseph B. , Lerner‐Geva Liat , Azem Foad , Yovel Israel , Ben‐Yosef Dalit , Barkai Uriel , Amit Ami 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The present study aimed at investigating the presence of Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) in preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) and its possible correlation with 17‐β‐estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels, and treatment outcome in patients undergoing in‐vitro fertilization‐embryo transfer (IVF‐ET).METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with tubal factor infertility who underwent oocyte retrieval for IVF‐ET were assayed for pooled, preovulatory FF levels of IL‐10, E2, and P.RESULTS: The mean FF levels of IL‐10, E2, and P were 78.7 ± 104.7 pg/ml, 2,787.0 ± 726.1 pg/ml, and 1.5 ± 0.8 ng/ml, respectively. No correlation was found between preovulatory FF concentration of IL‐10, E2, oocyte number, oocyte fertilization rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy rate. The levels of IL‐10 were found to be negatively correlated with P concentration, although not significantly (P = 0.057).CONCLUSION: Interleukin‐10 exists in the preovulatory FF. Further investigations are needed to determine the role of IL‐10 in the folliculogenesis.
Determination of IL‐1 and IL‐6 Levels in Human Embryo Culture‐Conditioned Media
Authors: Barañao R.I. , Piazza A. , Rumi L.S. , Fried E. Polak de 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and IL‐6 in 24‐hour human embryo culture‐conditioned media (HECCM) and to find any embryo‐related factor(s) to predict pregnancy during IVF procedure.METHOD: IL‐1β and IL‐6 levels were measured in 36 samples of HECCM and 17 cell culture media that had not been exposed to embryos, which were used as controls. Both cytokine levels were measured by the ELISA technique, using commercially available kits.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We found an average IL‐1β level ± SEM of 82 ± 4 pg/ ml (n=11) in HECCM from viable pregnancies and a significantly lower value, 14 ± 2 pg/ ml (n=25, P<0,001), in HECCM from embryos that did not lead to viable pregnancies. In control media the average IL‐1β level was 11 ± 1 pg/ml (n=17), (P <0.001 vs. HECCM from viable pregnancies). In contrast IL‐6 levels were undetectable in all samples analyzed. Judging by our results we suggest that measurement of IL‐1 level in HECCM could be a useful parameter for predicting implantation in techniques of assisted reproduction.
Modulations of Cytokine Expression in Pregnant Women
Authors: TRANCHOT‐DIALLO JULIETTE , GRAS GABRIEL , BENVENISTE OLIVIER , MARCÉ DOMINIQUE , ROQUES PIERRE , DORMONT DOMINIQUE , PARNET‐MATHIEU FRANÇOISE , MILLIEZ JACQUES , CHAOUAT GÉRARD 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Although the overall anti‐infectious and anti‐parasitic immunity of parous women appears normal, several aspects of maternal cell‐mediated and humoral immunity are altered during pregnancy. This has been suggested to occur via preferential local and systemic secretion of Th‐2 type cytokines, which down‐regulate or prevent secretion/action of Th‐1 type cytokines, in animals as well as in humans.METHOD: To evaluate the influence of gestation on the maternal immune system, we have measured, in pregnant women, the mRNAs coding for several cytokines (TNFα, IFNγ, GM‐CSF, IL‐Iβ, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, and IL‐10) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, by use of semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR.RESULTS: Our results show significant modulations of IFNγ, IL‐1β, IL‐4, and IL‐6 genes expression especially during the third trimester and near parturition. CONCLUSION: Cytokine expression is thus finely tuned in peripheral blood during pregnancy, in a previously unexpected complex pattern, related to gestational stage.
Midtrimester Amniotic Fluid Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Alpha Does Not Predict Small‐for‐Gestational‐Age Infants
Authors: SPONG CATHERINE Y. , SHERER DAVID M. , GHIDINI ALESSANDRO , PEZZULLO JOHN C. , SALAFIA CAROLYN M. , EGLINTON GARY S. , SPONG CATHERINE Y. , SHERER DAVID M. , GHIDINI ALESSANDRO , PEZZULLO JOHN C. , EGLINTON GARY S. , SALAFIA CAROLYN M. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To evaluate the independent ability of midtrimester amniotic fluid tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in the prediction of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants.METHOD OF STUDY: In this case‐control study, patients delivering a SGA infant were matched with controls based on GA at delivery, maternal age, race, and parity. Patients with immune disease, chronic hypertension, diabetes, asthma, congenital hearts disease, multiple gestation, and fetal anomalies were excluded. Amniotic fluid samples were immunoassayed for TNF‐α. Potential confounding variables evaluated were maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein level, smoking history, pregnancy induced hypertension, and neonatal gender. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and ANOVA after log transformation with P < 0.05 considered significant.RESULTS: Eighteen patients delivered SGA neonates and were matched with 41 controls. No significant differences were identified in the confounding variables between patients with SGA neonates and controls. Amniotic fluid TNF‐α levels were not significantly different between patients subsequently delivering SGA neonates and controls [median 7.63 (range 0.25‐16.1) pg/mL versus 9.39 (0.25–66.9) pg/mL, P = 0.8].CONCLUSIONS: Midtrimester amniotic fluid TNF‐α levels are not predictive of SGA neonates when compared with controls matched for gestational age at delivery.
Structure and Protective Capacity of Tetanus and Diphtheria Antibodies Produced During Human Pregnancy and Transferred to New‐Born
Authors: PASETTI MARCELA F. , DOKMETJIAN JOSÉ , ERIKSSON PATRICIA V. , MANGHI MARCELA A. , BRERO MARÍA LUISA , FERRERO FERNANDO 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The structure and protective activity of antibodies against tetanus (anti‐T) and diphtheria (anti‐D), produced during human pregnancy and transferred to new‐born, was studied.METHOD: Antibody levels were measured by ELISA in non‐pregnant women (control group), primiparae, and multiparae, and in their children. The proportion of symmetric and asymmetric IgG molecules was determined and their respective protective capacity evaluated.RESULTS: The quantity of asymmetric anti‐T and anti‐D antibodies in mothers at the time of delivery was roughly four‐ and three‐fold that of the control group, respectively, dropping significantly 1 month later. A similar proportion of these antibodies was observed in the new‐born. The lower neutralizing capacity of asymmetric molecules was demonstrated in vivo.CONCLUSION: Results show that during pregnancy there is a modulation of the immune response with an increase in the production of asymmetric molecules of lower protective capacity.
Soluble Receptors Neutralizing TNF‐α and IL‐1 Block Stress‐Triggered Murine Abortion
Authors: ARCK PETRA C. , CLARK DAVID A. , TROUTT ANTHONY B. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: In several models of abortion in rodents, the success or failure of the implanted embryos is determined by a balance between pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐2, interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), and γ‐interferon, and cytokines that counteract the former, such as interleukin‐10 and transforming growth factor‐β2 (TGF‐β2)‐related suppressor factor. Stress can trigger abortions in susceptible strains of mice and is thought to reflect the pathogenesis of some types of miscarriage in human pregnancy. In mice, stress increases levels of the abortogenic cytokine TNF‐α and decreases the suppressive activity of TGF‐β2‐related factor via a neurotransmitter substance P (SP)‐dependent pathway. Evidence for a role of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in SP‐mediated abortions in vivo is indirect.METHODS: Direct evidence for a role of IL‐1 and TNF‐α in stress‐triggered abortions was sought by injecting pregnant female mice with soluble receptors neutralizing TNF‐α (rhuTNFR: Fc) or IL‐1 (rmIL‐1R) beginning 1 day after implantation and prior to stress.RESULTS: The stress‐triggered abortion rate was reduced by 68% when either TNF‐α or IL‐1 antagonists were injected. The stress‐triggered decreased TGF‐β2‐like suppressive activity in the maternal uterine decidua was not restored by injection of either antagonist; indeed the soluble IL‐1 receptor significantly reduced suppressive activity in unstressed control mice, and soluble TNF‐α receptor had a lesser effect.CONCLUSIONS: Both IL‐1 and TNF‐α play a role in the pathogenesis of stress‐triggered abortions, and may induce a compensatory physiological increase in suppressive activity in normal pregnancy counteracting pro‐inflammatory cytokines.
Comparison of the Immunobead Binding Test (IBT) and Immunospheres (IS) Assay for Detecting Serum Antisperm Antibodies
Authors: CENTOLA G.M. , ANDOLINA E. , DEUTSCH A. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The IBT is considered the gold standard of sperm antibody assays. This test uses polyacrylamide beads labeled with antiglobulins (anti‐IgG, anti‐IgA, and anti‐IgM), which bind to the corresponding antibody on the sperm surface. The IS uses color‐coded latex beads of uniform 3.0 μm size coated with the antiglobulins which can be viewed with brightfield light microscopy. The purpose of the present study was to compare the IBT and IS in an indirect test using human serum.METHOD: Serum specimens (n=42) were tested for the presence of antibody isotypes IgG, IgA, and IgM to sperm using the standard protocol for IBT and IS. Donor sperm was washed in BWW with 5% BSA and diluted to a final concentration of 50 times 106 motile sperm/ml. The sperm were incubated with a 1:10 dilution of test serum for 30 min to 1 h at 37°C and then washed by three cycles of centrifugation. The sperm and beads (IBT, IS) were mixed on a glass slide, covered with a coverslip, and observed within 5 min. At least 100 motile sperm were counted and scored for bead binding. A specimen was considered positive if 20% or more of the sperm were coated with one or more beads. The data were analyzed using calculation of the non‐parametric kappa statistic with correction for chance expected agreement, and by calculating the proportion of specific agreement between the two methods.RESULTS: The results are summarized in the following table:The IS was able to detect 94% of IgG antibodies, 91% of IgA antibodies, and 100% of Ig M antibodies. One serum specimen was IgG negative by IS (14% binding), but positive by IBT (20%). A second serum specimen was IgA negative by IS (16%) yet positive by IBT (29%). There were no false positives with the IS assay. Of the IgM positives (five of six) occurred alone and not with IgG or IgA, suggesting the necessity for testing all specimens also for IgM.CONCLUSION: Antisperm antibody test results obtained by the IS assay are in agreement with the results obtained with the IBT test. The Immunospheres are monodispersed, color coded, and can be visualized with brightfield microscopy.
Efficacy of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Treatment in the Immunological Infertile Patients
Authors: JUN JIN HYUN , LIM CHUN KYU , PARK YONG SEOG , LEE HO JOON , LEE YOU SIK , SEO JU TAE , SON IL PYO , KANG INN SOO 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To evaluate the efficacy of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment in the immunological infertile patients.METHODS: The subjects were 60 cycles of 44 immunological infertile patients and these clinical data were analysed, retrospectively. They were classified into female and male immunological infertility group and were treated with conventional IVF, ICSI, and half‐ICSI.RESULTS: The fertilization rate of ICSI (60.3%) and half‐ICSI (60.7%) cycles were significantly (P<0.01) higher than conventional IVF (42.6%) cycles. In the male immunological infertility group, fertilization rate was significantly (P<0.01) higher in ICSI (60.7%) and half‐ICSI (66.7%) cycles than in conventional IVF (27.4%) cycles and clinical pregnancy rate was higher in ICSI (54.5%) and half ICSI (33.3%) than in conventional IVF (25.0%) cycles.CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that ICSI treatment is highly effective method to improve fertilization and pregnancy rate in IVF‐ET program of male immunological infertility.
Human Endometrial Leukemia Inhibitor Factor (LIF) Secretion and Its Relationship to Sonographic Endometrial Appearance
Authors: HAMBARTSOUMIAN EDOUARD 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: LIF is believed to be involved in human reproduction. Because little is known about the function of this cytokine in proliferative phase of cycle and because LIF is found to regulate the cellular growth we evaluated the possible relationship between endometrial LIF secretion and endometrial growth.METHOD: The present is prospective, blinded study with clinical and immunobiochemical correlation between endometrial LIF concentration and endometrial ultrasound pattern. Twenty‐four patients who were candidates for IVF and oocyte donation are included in this study. At day 10 of their cycle the endometrial biopsy was performed, followed by vaginal sonographic measurements of endometrial thickness and pattern. Endometrial LIF concentration was measured by ELISA in supernatants taken from cultured explants.RESULTS: Endometrial LIF production significantly negatively correlated with endometrial thicknesses (P < 0.05). There was a 4‐fold elevation in LIF production when the endometrial thickness was below 5 mm. Strong correlation was found also between endometrial LIF production and sonographic endometrial pattern (P < 0.05). The most significant amount of LIF was found in nonfavorable endometria.CONCLUSION: In the proliferative phase of cycle there is a dynamic relationship between endometrial sonographic appearance and local LIF secretion. Specifically LIF production is negatively correlated with endometrial thickness and pattern. The low amount of cytokine is a normal uteral environment for endometrial development, whereas deregulation of cytokine production toward its overexpression may lead to a strong inhibitory effect on endometrial growth. This finding might have an important clinical implication.
Interferon‐Gamma Production by the Human Preimplantation Embryo
Authors: ÖZörnek M. H. , Bielfeld P. , Krüssel J. S. , Copisti S. , Jeyendran R. S. , Koldovsky U. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: This study demonstrated that the human embryo produces interferon‐gamma (IFNγ). It is important to know whether IFNγ can be produced before implantation. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of IFNγ production between days 2 and 5 after in vitro fertilization.METHOD: Twenty embryos were cultured from day 2 to 5 after fertilization. The embryo stages were checked each day and the media refreshed. IFNγ levels were estimated by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: All embryos produced measurable IFNγ at least for 1 day. Yields of IFNγ were: 0.46 ± 0.45 (n = 4) on day 2, 0.69 ± 0.52 (n = 19) on day 3, 0.73 ± 0.52 (n = 15) on day 4, 0.55 ± 0.32 (n = 11) IU/ml on day 5, respectively. There was no significant difference in the IFNγ production between in vitro culture days or between the developmental stages of embryos.CONCLUSION: IFNγ is produced by all the embryos and seems to peak between days 3 and 4, which is just before implantation.
Cytokine‐Leukocyte Networks and the Establishment of Pregnancy
Authors: Robertson Sarah A. , Mau Vicki J. , Hudson Sarah N. , Tremellen Kelton P. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Factors in seminal plasma stimulate an intense but transient inflammatory response in the murine endometrium at mating. The aim of our current studies is to delineate the cytokine‐leukocyte interactions comprising this response and to elucidate the significance of these events in changes in the maternal immune system and as determinants of pregnancy outcome.METHOD: We have reviewed our recent findings.RESULTS: Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 has been identified as the inflammation‐inducing moiety in seminal plasma. Seminal TGFβ1 initiates endometrial leukocyte infiltration by up‐regulating epithelial cell expression of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Other cytokines and chemokines including regulated and normal T‐cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α, MIP‐1β, and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 are also implicated as mediators of macrophage and granulocyte recruitment and activation. One consequence of this inflammatory response is the induction of a transient state of hyporesponsiveness to paternal major histocompatibility class I antigens.CONCLUSION: Our studies suggest that semen may play a critical role in providing the antigenic and environmental signals necessary to initiate an appropriate maternal immune response to the conceptus during pregnancy.
Recent Studies on the Structure of the grc Region in the Rat
Authors: Gill Thomas J. , Yuan Xiu‐Juan , Salgar Shashikumar K. , Kunz Heinz W. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To explore the nature of the genes in the grc.METHOD: Chromosome walking of the grc and sequencing new genes.RESULTS: The RT1.O, N genes have been aligned, and two new types of genes, RT1.S1,2 and Rpr1,2,3, have been discovered and mapped. An extensive physical map of the grc region is presented.CONCLUSION: The disease associations in both the rat and the human appear to cluster in two regions that map in approximately the same place in both species, given the translocation that occurred in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the rat relative to the MHC of the human.