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Maternal Blood Cells (maternal + blood_cell)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Life Sciences50%

Selected Abstracts

Development of transferred xenogeneic vole embryos in mouse uteri

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2003
Diah Tri WIDAYATI
ABSTRACT An experimental model to study interspecific pregnancy using voles, Microtus arvalis, and green fluorescent protein gene-induced transgenic mice is presented. Xenogeneic blastocysts from the vole were transferred into the uteri of pseudopregnant mice along with allogeneic blastocysts from green fluorescent protein gene-induced transgenic mice. The uteri containing xeno-allo combined transfers were examined from day 6 to 13 of gestation. Although the vole embryos implanted, the uteri containing vole embryos were smaller compared with those having allogeneic mouse embryos. On day 8, the uteri containing vole embryos hemorrhaged internally and no vole embryo was found in the pregnant uterus after day 11. Allogeneic mouse embryos developed normally despite the presence and abortion of the vole embryos. In uteri implanted with vole embryos, decidua were formed and numerous blood vessels were distributed around the embryo. Maternal blood cells infiltrated into the celomic cavity of the vole embryo through the discontinuous region of trophoblast. Periodic acid-Schiff-positive granulated metrial gland cells were remarkably increased in the decidual sites. These findings suggest that a disorder of embryo,maternal interaction might induce the appearance of numerous granulated metrial gland cells and rejection of the embryos. [source]

A microarray-based approach for the identification of epigenetic biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of fetal disease

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 11 2009
Tianjiao Chu
Abstract Objectives We describe a novel microarray-based approach for the high-throughput discovery of epigenetic biomarkers for use in the noninvasive detection of fetal genetic disease. Methods We combined a 215 060-probe custom oligonucleotide microarray with a comprehensive library preparation method and novel statistical tools to compare DNA methylation patterns in chorionic villus samples (CVS) with gestational age-matched maternal blood cell (MBC) samples. Our custom microarray was designed to provide high-resolution coverage across human chromosomes 13, 18 and 21. Results We identified 6311 MspI/HpaII sites across all three chromosomes that displayed tissue-specific differential CpG methylation patterns. To maximize the probability of identifying biomarkers that have clinical utility we filtered our data to identify MspI/HpaII sites that are within 150 bp of a highly polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) so that its allelic ratio may be determined for the detection of fetal aneuploidy. Our microarray design and the computational tools used for data analysis are available for download as is the entire data set. Conclusions This high-resolution analysis of DNA methylation patterns in the human placenta during the first trimester of pregnancy identifies numerous potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy on chromosomes 13, 18 and 21. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

REVIEW ARTICLE: Maternal and Fetal Response to Fetal Persistent Infection with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Thomas R. Hansen
Citation Hansen TR, Smirnova NP, Van Campen H, Shoemaker ML, Ptitsyn AA, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. Maternal and fetal response to fetal persistent infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010 Problem, Infection of naïve pregnant cows with non-cytopathic (ncp) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) results in transplacental infection of the fetus. Infection of the pregnant cow with ncp BVDV late in gestation (after day 150) results in transient infection (TI), as both the dam and fetus can mount an immune response to the virus. In contrast, if the fetus is infected with ncp BVDV early in gestation (before day 150), the fetal immune system is undeveloped and unable to recognize the virus as foreign. This results in induction of immune tolerance to the infecting BVDV strain and persistent infection (PI). Methods, Infection of naïve pregnant heifers with ncp BVDV2 on day 75 was hypothesized to induce differential gene expression in white blood cells of the dams and their fetuses, adversely affecting development and antiviral immune responses in PI fetuses. Results, Gene expression differed in maternal blood cells in the presence of PI versus uninfected fetuses. PI adversely affected fetal development and antiviral responses, despite protective immune responses in the dam. Conclusion, Fetal PI with BVDV alters maternal immune function, compromises fetal growth and immune responses, and results in expression of maternal blood biomarkers that can be used to identify cows carrying PI fetuses. [source]

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Selective Downregulation of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase alpha in Leukocytes During Pregnancy

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Anne Rohrbach
Problem, During pregnancy, it is crucially important that the mother's immune system tolerates the developing embryo. Although a number of mechanisms of immunological tolerance have been described, little is known about intracellular signaling events, causing a decrease in the mother's leukocyte activity. Method of study, We investigated the expression and activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) in maternal blood cells of healthy volunteers by Reverse Transcription PCR and Western blotting. Results, Our data reveal a selective downregulation of the p110, catalytic isoform. This correlated with a slight decrease in PI3K activity as judged by the levels of phosphorylated Akt. Conclusion, As PI3K are involved in signal transduction of various leukocyte receptors, this downregulation may comprise a means of holding immune functions at bay. [source]