Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction for Assessment of Mutant Mitochondrial Carry-over after Nuclear Transfer for In Vitro Fertilization.

Background: The quantification of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy for the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease or after mitochondrial donation, is performed mainly using next-generation sequencing strategies (NGS). Digital PCR (dPCR) has the potential to offer an accurate alternative for mutation load quantification.

Methods: We assessed the mutation load of 23 low-input human samples at the m.

Novel reproductive technologies to prevent mitochondrial disease.

Background: The use of nuclear transfer (NT) has been proposed as a novel reproductive treatment to overcome the transmission of maternally-inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. Pathogenic mutations in mtDNA can cause a wide-spectrum of life-limiting disorders, collectively known as mtDNA disease, for which there are currently few effective treatments and no known cures. The many unique features of mtDNA make genetic counselling challenging for women harbouring pathogenic mtDNA mutations but reproductive options that involve medical intervention are available that will minimize the risk of mtDNA disease in their offspring.

Tim-3: Expression on immune cells and roles at the maternal-fetal interface.

Successful pregnancy relies on the accurate regulation of the maternal-fetal immune system. Without enough tolerance in the uterine microenvironment, the mother and the hemiallogeneic fetus could not peacefully coexist. T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (Tim)-3 is a molecule originally regarded as to be expressed on terminally differentiated IFN-γ expressing CD4 T cells (Th1).

What are the roles of macrophages and monocytes in human pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the maternal immune system is challenged by the semi-allogeneic fetus, which leads to systemic and local immunity. Systemic immunity, including enhanced innate immunity with increased activation of monocytes, is induced by various placental factors. Maternal immune adaptations are most evident at the feto-maternal interface, where macrophages are enriched and communicate with various decidual leukocytes.

Morphological Changes and Expression of Cytokine After Local Endometrial Injury in a Mouse Model.

Objective: To establish a mouse model for endometrial injury and determine the underlying mechanism regarding its favorable effect on embryo implantation.

Study Design: Female Kunming mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups: group I, normal control; group II, injury procedure control; and group III and group IV, the mice being scratched with a blunt syringe on the right uterine horn or both, respectively. All the mice were mated with the males during the next estrus phase.

CD14++ CD16+ HLA-DR+ Monocytes in Peripheral Blood are Quantitatively Correlated with the Severity of Pre-eclampsia.

Problem: We aim to investigate the proportion and absolute counts of peripheral blood monocyte subsets in women with normal pregnancy (NP) and pre-eclampsia (PE), and their correlation with the clinical manifestation and severity of PE.

Method Of Study: Peripheral blood was obtained from women with NP (n = 30), mild PE (MPE, n = 15) and severe PE (SPE, n = 30). The proportion and absolute counts of CD16(+) monocytes and the subsets including intermediate (CD14(++) CD16(+) HLA-DR(+) ) and non-classical (CD14(+) CD16(++) HLA-DR(+) ) monocytes were determined by flow cytometric analysis.

Recent Insight into the Role of the PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway in Feto-Maternal Tolerance and Pregnancy.

Pregnancy presents a great challenge to the maternal immune system. Given that maternal alloreactive lymphocytes are not depleted during pregnancy, local and/or systemic mechanisms have to serve a central function in altering the maternal immune responses. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway are both critical in controlling the immune responses.