Interleukin-17-producing decidual CD4+ T cells are not deleterious for human pregnancy when they also produce interleukin-4.

Background: Trophoblast expressing paternal HLA-C antigens resemble a semiallograft, and could be rejected by maternal CD4+ T lymphocytes. We examined the possible role in human pregnancy of Th17 cells, known to be involved in allograft rejection and reported for this reason to be responsible for miscarriages. We also studied Th17/Th1 and Th17/Th2 cells never investigated before.

Nitric oxide and oxidative stress in placental explant cultures.

Placental explant culture, and cellular cytolysis and cellular differentiation have been previously studied. However, oxidative stress and nitric oxide profiles have not been evaluated in these systems. The aim of this study was to determine the release of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide from placental explants cultured over a seven day period.

HLA-G5 induces IL-4 secretion critical for successful pregnancy through differential expression of ILT2 receptor on decidual CD4⁺ T cells and macrophages.

Successful pregnancy in humans has been associated with production of IL-4 by T cells at the feto-maternal interface. Soluble HLA-G5 produced by trophoblasts potentially controls the decidual T cell cytokine profile. We studied the effect of HLA-G5 on the cytokine profile of purified human macrophages and Ag-specific T cells in vitro.

The human decidual NK-cell response to virus infection: what can we learn from circulating NK lymphocytes?

NK cells present in the peripheral blood respond rapidly to pathogens or pathogen-infected cells by various means including cytotoxicity and production of cytokines. Whether decidual NK (dNK) cells are able to play a similar role when the pregnant uterus is infected by viruses is still largely unknown. Decidual NK cells are generally considered as poorly cytotoxic when compared to their peripheral blood counterparts.

Serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-1beta and human chorionic gonadotropin in pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancy.

Studies in placentas from the first trimester and in vitro models indicate that interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 induce the release of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). During pre-eclampsia there is an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, its relationship with hCG levels during the third trimester of pregnancy has not been determined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between blood levels of IL-6, IL-1beta and hCG in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

Preeclampsia and calcium-ATPase activity of plasma membranes from human myometrium and placental trophoblast.

Objective: We determined calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca-ATPase) activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) of plasma membranes from myometrium and placental trophoblast of normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women.

Methods: Samples of myometrium were obtained by uterine biopsies taken upon delivery by cesarean section from nulliparous normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women. Placentas were obtained after full term vaginal delivery from either normotensive or preeclamptic women.

Bioactive to immunoreactive ratio of circulating human chorionic gonadotropin as possible evaluation for the prognosis of threatened abortion.

Objective: In an effort to evaluate the prognosis of threatened abortion, we established the ratio of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), as measured by bioassay or radioimmunoassay techniques, of samples from patients with threatened abortion or normal pregnancy.

Study Design: Peripheral blood samples from patients in their first trimester of pregnancy with threatened abortion (n=24), or normal pregnancy (n=12), were assayed for progesterone (RIA), and for immunoactive (DELFIA) and bioactive (mouse Leydig cell testosterone production assay) hCG.

Results: Serum progesterone was not statistically different between the threatened-continuing and the threatened-miscarried groups.