Serial changes in two immune checkpoint receptors and ligands, Tim-3/Gal-9 and PD-1/PD-L1 in peripheral blood prior to miscarriage: Comparison with pregnancies resulting in a live birth.

Problem: Immune checkpoints Tim-3/Gal-9 and PD-1/PL-1 are involved in the maintenance of maternal-fetal immune tolerance systematically and locally. This study aimed to compare the serial changes of Tim-3/Gal-9, and PD-1/PL-1 in peripheral blood over a 4-week period after blastocyst transfer, between women who had a live birth and those who miscarried.

Methods Of Study: Serial blood samples were obtained on the day of ET, and 9, 16, 23, and 30 days after ET for the measurement of Tim-3 and PD-1 expressions on various lymphocytes by flow cytometry.

Uterine CD56 cell density and euploid miscarriage in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage: A clinical descriptive study.

In women with a history of recurrent miscarriage, the uterine CD56+ cell density in subjects with subsequent euploid miscarriage was significantly higher than those with subsequent aneuploid miscarriage. Both endometrial and embryonic factors should be investigated when interpreting uterine CD56+ cell density results relating to recurrent miscarriage.

Early transient suppression of immune checkpoint proteins T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 and programmed cell death-1 in peripheral blood lymphocytes after blastocyst transfer is associated with successful implantation.

Objective: To compare the changing peripheral levels of immune checkpoint proteins T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3)/galectin-9 (Gal-9), and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) over a 9-day period after blastocyst transfer between women who did and did not conceive.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Association between chronic endometritis and uterine natural killer cell density in women with recurrent miscarriage: clinical implications.

Aim: This aim of this study was to determine the association between uterine natural killer (uNK) cell density and chronic endometritis (CE).

Methods: Endometrial biopsies from 135 women with recurrent miscarriage were obtained precisely 7 days after luteinizing hormone surge in natural cycles. Endometrial sections were immunostained for CD56 for uNK cells and CD138 for plasma cells, respectively.

Endometrial microbiota in infertile women with and without chronic endometritis as diagnosed using a quantitative and reference range-based method.

Objective: To systematically compare the endometrial microbiota in infertile women with and without chronic endometritis (CE), as diagnosed by a quantitative and reference range-based method.

Design: Case-control observational study.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

A comparison of uterine natural killer cell density in the peri-implantation period between natural cycles and hormone replacement therapy cycles.

Problem: A reference range for uterine natural killer (uNK) cell density in the peri-implantation period has recently been established in natural cycles. However, it is uncertain whether the results can be applied to hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) cycles, used increasingly in frozen-thaw embryo replacement cycles and which is known to be capable of supporting implantation.

Method Of Study: A total of 183 women from two IVF centers participated in this study, including 75 women in natural cycles and 108 women in HRT cycles.

Endometrial Vascularization Characterized by Optical Coherence Tomography and Immunohistochemistry in Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer Treatment.

Background And Objective: Endometrial angiogenesis is a prerequisite for successful pregnancy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive physically optical imaging technique widely used in ophthalmology and cardiology. However, there is no study using OCT to evaluate endometrium.

Increased expression of angiogenic cytokines in CD56+ uterine natural killer cells from women with recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: To compare the expression pattern of angiogenic cytokines in CD56+ uNK cells from peri-implantation endometrium in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage and fertile controls.

Methods: 28 women were recruited, from which 18 women were diagnosed as recurrent miscarriage and 10 women were of proven fertility. Endometrial biopsy samples were obtained precisely 7 days after luteinization hormone surge in a natural cycle.