Toll-Like Receptor 2 and 4 expression in the Pregnant and Non-pregnant Human Uterine Cervix
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major worldwide health problem, compromising reproductive fecundity, causing morbidity, and reducing life expectancy (WHO, 2012; Adams et al., 2000). Maternal urogenital infections may lead to miscarriage, chorioamnionitis and congenital foetal infection and appear to be implicated in premature births (Lyon et al., 2010), the principal cause of perinatal mortality and handicap in surviving children (Christiaens et al., 2008). (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 5, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Behnia S. Lashkari, Shahida Shahana, Dilly O. Anumba Source Type: research
Angiogenesis-related factors in pregnancy-induced hypertension
Aim: In 2003, pregnant rats administered soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) manifested proteinuria and hypertension, strongly indicating that increases in sFlt-1 and decreases in vascular endothelial growth factor/placental growth factor (VEGF/PlGF) in the maternal circulation may cause the occurrence of PE. Thereafter, we started investigations on angiogenesis-related factors in women with PE and/or gestational hypertension (GH). (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: A. Ohkuchi Tags: Symposium 1 Source Type: research
Exploit of easy handling model mice with hypertension
Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is widely researched, and recently ‘Two Step Theory’ has been put forward. However, thus far, the mechanism of PIH remains to be seen. Moreover the fundamental therapy of PIH is still termination of pregnancy, and it sometimes leads to preterm birth. Development of model mice of the disease is important to the research of mechanism and therapy for it. Several preeclampsia model animals were reported. For example: (1) hypertensive mice by placental rennin and maternal angiotensinogen. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: K. Kumasawa Source Type: research
Elevated placental adenosine signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia
Objectives: Although placental hypoxia has been speculated to contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE), the specific mechanisms linking placental hypoxia to the pathogenesis of PE are poorly understood. Adenosine (Ado) is a signaling molecule known to be induced by hypoxia and to orchestrate the cellular response to hypoxia. Our study aimed to examine the contribution of placental Ado signaling to the pathogenesis of PE. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: T. Iriyama Source Type: research
Impact of maternal body mass index and fetal sex on Th1:Th2 cell ratio in preeclampsia
Objectives: Preeclampsia (PE) has an imbalance in the T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine balance with a deviation toward the Th1 cytokine profile rather than a shift toward Th2 in normal pregnancy, even though the reason has not yet been clarified. The relationship between fetal sex and PE has been debated. Our hypothesis that maternal and/or fetal and/or placental factors might cause or contribute to the occurrence of PE. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: A. Shiozaki, S. Saito Source Type: research
Chronic endometritis in infertility
Chronic endometritis (CE) is unusual local inflammation characterized by plasmacyte infiltration in the endometrial stromal compartment. CE has been overlooked in gynecological practice due to subtle symptomatology, benign pathology, and demanding histopathologic examinations. Recent studies, however, suggest that CE is associated with infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and obstetric/neonatal complications, although their cause–effect relationship remains fully undetermined. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: K. Kitaya, H. Matsubayashi, T. Ishikawa Tags: Symposium 2 Source Type: research
Endometrial epithelial cell dynamics during human implantation
Human implantation is multiple step mechanism of cross talk between embryo and endometrial tissue, consisting of apposition, adhesion, penetration, and invasion. These sequential steps are also divided into apposition, adhesion, destruction, and reconstruction for endometrial epithelial cell (EEC) sheet. EEC sheet is physically and immunologically important defense barrier, however, little is known about mechanism except apoptosis for its destruction. Using human cell line (human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Ishikawa for EEC model, and spheroid of human choriocarcinoma cell line, JAR for embryo model), human EEC d...
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: H. Uchida Source Type: research
The relationship between granulosa cells (GC) and surrounding cells in ovarian physiology and pathophysiology
Multiple processes, including follicular development and ovulation determine female fertility. Each process is influenced by numerous factors, including gonadotropins and intraovarian factors. Among the intraovarian factors, we have studied the implication of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) in the ovarian physiology. In the present study, we exhibit our data regarding (1) folliculogenesis, (2) ovulation and (3) polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), especially from the point of the relationship between ovarian cells and immune-competent cells. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: O. Yoshino, K. Nomoto, I. Akiyama, Y. Osuga, T. Fujii, S. Saito Source Type: research
The history and current status of anti-sperm antibody research
It was at the end of the 19th century that research concerning sperm immunity began. Since Landsteiner's reported that boar sperm was impaired in abdominal cavity of guinea-pigs after successive intraperitoneal injections (Centbl. f. Bakreriol. 25, 546, 1899), a number of studies examined toxic effects on sperm. The period was coincident with the time when Ehrlich proposed “side-chain theory”, a basis of modern immunology. At that time, researchers’ interest was whether or not anti-sperm antibody (ASA) was produced in same species followed by sterility in females In humans, it was reported that volunteer women immuni...
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: A. Hasegawa, H. Shibahara Source Type: research
Onionin A inhibits epithelial ovarian cancer proliferation by the suppression of STAT3 activation in tumor cells and macrophages
Objective: In epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), M2 macrophage (Mø), which is one of components forming the cancer microenvironment, is polarized from Mø and plays an important role in cancer cell proliferation via STAT3 pathway. Onionin A (ONA), a natural compound derived from onion, has an inhibitory effect on M2 polarization by STAT3 inactivation. Here we elucidated effects of ONA in EOC via STAT3 inactivation. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: J. Nakao, Y. Fujiwara, K. Takaishi, Y. Komohara, H. Tashiro, M. Takeya, H. Katabuchi Tags: Oral free communication abstracts Source Type: research
CD169-positive macrophages in regional lymph nodes are associated with a favorable prognosis in patients with endometrial cancer
Background: CD169 is expressed on specific macrophages (MΦ) and promotes inflammation through the activation of lymphocytes. In mice, CD169+ MΦ in lymph nodes induce anti-tumor immunity by the presentation of tumor antigen after phagocytosis of dead tumor cells. To detect a factor predicting anti-tumor immunity or prognosis in patients with endometrial cancer (EC), we evaluated the relationship between CD169+ MΦ in regional lymph node (RLN) and clinical outcome in patients with EC. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: M. Yamaguchi, K. Ohnishi, Y. Komohara, F. Saito, C. Erdenebaatar, K. Fujimoto, H. Tashiro, M. Takeya, H. Katabuchi Source Type: research
The eosinophilic leukocytosis of a heparin calcium treatment (the 2nd report)
Objective: We have verified about the usefulness and the safety of the anticoagulant therapy (low-dose aspirin+heparin self-administered injection combined therapy) to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The frequent side effects of this therapy are low blood platelet count, the liver function rise, the rubor of a heparin injection site and itching. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: M. Itoh, K. Ota, Y. Katsumata, K. Abe, H. Hiraishi Source Type: research
Flow cytometric analysis of NK22 cells function in peripheral blood and endometrium obtained from women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Problem: It is considered that NK22 cells might mediate mucosal immune defense in several organ. In response to pathogen, IL-23 stimulates NK22 cells to secrete IL-22. It is only reported that NK22 cells were present in the uterine mucosa. To examine the NK22 function, we investigated the production and relation of IL-22 and the other cytokines using endometrium (EM) and peripheral blood (PB) NK cells of women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: M. Kamoi, A. Fukui, A. Funamizu, Y. Sasaki, R. Nakamura, K. Fuchinoue, R. Fukuhara, H. Mizunuma Source Type: research
The change of NCR expression and cytokine production of NK cells in peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid by hormonal treatment in patients with endometriosis
Problem: The pathogenesis of endometriosis has not clarified yet, but immune factors may be involved in the development of endometriosis. Especially, it has been reported that NK cell activity was decreased and NK cell inhibitory receptors were increased. Low-estrogen-progestin (LEP) is available for the treatment of endometriosis, the effect of LEP for NK cell is controversial. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: A. Funamizu, A. Fukui, K. Fuchinoue, M. Kamoi, R. Fukuhara, H. Mizunuma Source Type: research
Expression of NCRs and RORγt in peripheral blood NK cells of recurrent pregnancy losses
Objectives: More that half of women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) are diagnosed with unexplained RPL. Some of these women may have immune abnormality such as NK cells. Recently, NK22 cell, that is NKp46+ and produce IL-22 is reported. IL-22 is secreted from Th17 lymphocytes, and retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) is used for marker of Th17 lymphocytes. In gut, not only Th17 lymphocytes but also NKp46+ or NKp44+ NK cells, one of the NCRs, produce IL-22. However, the relationship of NK22 and the expression of RORγt in peripheral blood and endometrium is unclear. (Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology)
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: K. Fuchinoue, A. Fukui, M. Kamoi, A. Funamizu, R. Fukuhara, H. Mizunuma Source Type: research
