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Normal Human Pregnancy (normal + human_pregnancy)

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Leukocyte Pyruvate Kinase Expression is Reduced in Normal Human Pregnancy but not in Pre-eclampsia

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Yi Xu
Citation Xu Y, Madsen-Bouterse SA, Romero R, Hassan S, Mittal P, Elfline M, Zhu A, Petty HR. Leukocyte pyruvate kinase expression is reduced in normal human pregnancy but not in pre-eclampsia. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 137,151 Problem, Emerging evidence suggests that metabolism influences immune cell signaling and immunoregulation. To examine the immunoregulatory role of glycolysis in pregnancy, we evaluated the properties of pyruvate kinase in leukocytes from non-pregnant women and those with normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Method of study, We evaluated pyruvate kinase expression in lymphocytes and neutrophils from non-pregnant, pregnant, and pre-eclampsia patients using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Leukocyte pyruvate kinase activity and pyruvate concentrations were also evaluated. To study pyruvate's effect on signaling, we labeled Jurkat T cells with Ca2+ dyes and measured cell responses in the presence of agents influencing intracellular pyruvate. Results, The expression of pyruvate kinase is reduced in lymphocytes and neutrophils from normal pregnant women in comparison with those of non-pregnant women and pre-eclampsia patients. Similarly, the activity of pyruvate kinase and the intracellular pyruvate concentration are reduced in leukocytes of normal pregnant women in comparison with non-pregnant women and women with pre-eclampsia. Using Jurkat cells as a model of leukocyte signaling, we have shown that perturbations of intracellular pyruvate influence Ca2+ signals. Conclusion, Normal pregnancy is characterized by reduced pyruvate kinase expression within lymphocytes and neutrophils. We speculate that reduced pyruvate kinase expression modifies immune cell responses due to reduced pyruvate concentrations. [source]

PIBF: The Double Edged Sword.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Pregnancy, Tumor
Citation Szekeres-Bartho J, Polgar B. PIBF: The Double Edged Sword. Pregnancy and Tumor. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 77,86 Problem, The role of progesterone-dependent immunomodulation in the maintenance of normal pregnancy. Methods,In vitro and in vivo data on the effect that progesterone and its mediator progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) exert on the immune functions of pregnant women are reviewed, together with clinical findings. Results, Activated pregnancy lymphocytes express progesterone receptors, which enable progesterone to induce a protein called PIBF. PIBF increases Th2 type cytokine production by signaling via a novel type of IL-4 receptor and activating the Jak/STAT pathway. PIBF inhibits phosholipase A2, thus reduces prostaglandin synthesis. PIBF inhibits perforin release in human decidual lymphocytes and reduces the deleterious effect of high NK activity on murine pregnancy. PIBF production is a characteristic feature of normal human pregnancy, and its concentration is reduced in threatened pregnancies. PIBF mRNA and protein are expressed in a variety of malignant tumors. Inhibition of PIBF synthesis increases survival rates of leukemic mice. Conclusion, Progesterone-induced blocking factor is produced by pregnancy lymphocytes and also by malignant tumors. The PIBF-induced Th2-dominant immune response is favorable during pregnancy but might facilitate tumor growth by suppressing local antitumor immune responses. [source]

Leukocyte Pyruvate Kinase Expression is Reduced in Normal Human Pregnancy but not in Pre-eclampsia

P-3 Changes on pro-inflammatory cytokine responses in peripheral blood during normal human pregnancy

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2004
Article first published online: 12 NOV 200
Since publication it has come to our attention that the author names in the above abstract 1 were cited in the incorrect order. The correct order is as follows: [source]

Changes in Cytokine Production During and After Normal Pregnancy

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2000
YUKI SHIMAOKA
PROBLEM: The systemic T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine balance during normal human pregnancy is controversial, and observations about the balance in the postpartum period have only been reported for up to 3 months. METHOD: Whole-blood, from 83 healthy pregnant women, 80 healthy postpartum women, and 31 healthy non-pregnant women was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, and the levels of cytokines in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The production of all measured cytokines decreased during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester. After delivery, interferon-, (IFN-,) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) increased from 2 to 11 months postpartum, and IL-4 increased from 6 to 11 months postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that 1) decreases in production of both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines during pregnancy may be related to the pregnancy-induced amelioration of autoimmune diseases; 2) increases in production of both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines in the postpartum period may be related to the postpartum aggravation of autoimmune diseases. [source]

Placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase localization and expression in normal human pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5-6 2003
SJ Orange
Summary 1.,The aim of the present study was to investigate whether pre-eclampisa, a state of placental hypoxia, is associated with placental abnormalities in the amount, distribution and expression of enothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). 2.,Localization and intensity of eNOS was determined by immunohistochemistry using an antibody specific for eNOS. The amount of eNOS mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the densitometry of gel bands was expressed as a ratio of the band density of the housekeeping gene ,2 -microglobulin. 3.,Endothelial NOS staining was localized to syncytiotrophoblast cells within the villi and decidual trophoblast cells. It was not present in the endothelium of terminal villous vessels. There was no significant difference in eNOS villous or decidual staining intensity between normal pregnancy (NP; n = 12), pre-eclampsia (n = 14), or gestational hypertension (GH; n = 4). Staining for eNOS was not significantly different in the decidua compared with the villi in NP, GH or pre-eclampsia. Within the decidua, the depth of eNOS staining was similar in NP, pre-eclampisa and GH. 4.,There was no significant difference in eNOS mRNA expression between NP (0.70 ± 0.11), pre-eclampsia (0.5 ± 0.07) or GH (0.69 ± 0.26). 5.,These findings suggest that the amount of eNOS in the placenta is not deficient in pre-eclampsia, excluding a possible pathogenic role for eNOS in this disease. Furthermore, placental hypoxia, which is associated with pre-eclampsia, did not induce an upregulation of eNOS [source]