Preimplantation Factor (PIF): a peptide with various functions

The role of macrophage ion channels in the progression of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory disease that affects the arteries and can lead to severe complications such as heart attack and stroke. Macrophages, a type of immune cell, play a crucial role in atherosclerosis initiation and progression. Emerging studies revealed that ion channels regulate macrophage activation, polarization, phagocytosis, and cytokine secretion. Moreover, macrophage ion channel dysfunction is implicated in macrophage-derived foam cell formation and atherogenesis. In this context, exploring the regulatory role of ion channels in macrophage function and their impacts on the progression of atherosclerosis emerges as a promising avenue for research. Studies in the field will provide insights into novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Önder Hocam merhaba, Aşağıda iki hakemden gelen görüşü iletiyorum size. Hakemlerden biri çok hatalı olduğu için değerlendirme yapmamış diğeri ise basılamaz şeklinde işaretleme yapmış. 3. Hakem görüşünü de ayrı mal olarak hemen ileteceğim. O da değişiklik önerileri olmuş değişiklikler yapıldıktan sonra görmek istiyorum seçeneğini işaretlemiş. Hal böyleyken Yayın Komisyonu düzeltmelerin ve genel tashih ve redksiyonun yapıldığından emin olup hakemlere tekrar gönderme kararı alacaktı. Bilginize sunar, iyi çalışmalar dilerim. Saygılarımla,

Objective: Preimplantation-factor (PIF) is a new peptide with many potential functions. We aimed to compare the maternal serum PIF levels among early-onset preeclamptic patients with the healthy controls at the same gestational age. Patients and Methods: Thirty-nine early-onset preeclamptic (< 34 gestational weeks) patients and 45 healthy expecting women have been added to our study. Patients with or suspicion of any chronical maternal disease, gestational diabetes, twin pregnancies, fetal or placental anomalies or any other obstetric complications have been excluded. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Elabscience Biotechnology Co., Texas, USA) has been used to analyze the PIF levels in the collected samples. Gestational age, maternal age, gravida, parity, fetal growth, body mass index (BMI), maternal weight and height, plasma PIF levels have been collected/measured and analyzed in both groups. Results: The primary outcome of our study –the Preimplantation Factor- was significantly higher in study group than the healthy controls (100.36 ± 41.92 vs. 83.14 ± 51.27 p=0.016). Conclusions: We have found the PF levels statistically higher in the study group. PIF levels might have a role in the progression and pathogenesis of the preeclamptic patients. Further studies with larger groups have to be planned and performed to resolve the real relation between PIF and preeclampsia.

Cytokine see-saw across pregnancy, its related complexities and consequences

During pregnancy, a woman's immune system adapts to the changing hormonal concentrations, causing immunologic transition. These immunologic changes are required for a full-term pregnancy, preserving the fetus' innate and adaptive immunity. Preterm labor, miscarriage, gestational diabetes mellitus, and pre-eclampsia are all caused by abnormal cytokine expression during pregnancy and childbirth. A disruption in the cytokine balance can lead to autoimmune diseases or microbiologic infections, or to autoimmune illness remission during pregnancy with postpartum recurrence. The cytokine treatments are essential and damaging to the developing fetus. The current review summarizes the known research on cytokine changes during pregnancy and their possible consequences for pregnant women. Studies suggest that customizing medication for each woman and her progesterone levels should be based on the cytokine profile of each pregnant woman. Immune cells and chemicals play an important function in development of the placenta and embryo. During pregnancy, T cells divide and move, and a careful balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is necessary. The present review focuses on the mother's endurance in generating fetal cells and the immunologic mechanism involved.

Molecules and Prostaglandins Related to Embryo Tolerance

It is generally understood that the entry of semen into the female reproductive tract provokes molecular and cellular changes facilitating conception and pregnancy. We show a broader picture of the participation of prostaglandins in the fertilization, implantation and maintenance of the embryo. A large number of cells and molecules are related to signaling networks, which regulate tolerance to implantation and maintenance of the embryo and fetus. In this work, many of those cells and molecules are analyzed. We focus on platelets, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and group 2 innate lymphoid cells involved in embryo tolerance in order to have a wider view of how prostaglandins participate. The combination of platelets and neutrophil extracellular traps (Nets), uterine innate lymphoid cells (uILC), Treg cells, NK cells, and sex hormones have an important function in immunological tolerance. In both animals and humans, the functions of these cells can be regulated by prostaglandins and soluble factors in seminal plasma to achieve an immunological balance, which maintains fetal-maternal tolerance. Prostaglandins, such as PGI2 and PGE2, play an important role in the suppression of the previously mentioned cells. PGI2 inhibits platelet aggregation, in addition to IL-5 and IL-13 expression in ILC2, and PGE2 inhibits some neutrophil functions, such as chemotaxis and migration processes, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) biosynthesis, ROS production, and the formation of extracellular traps, which could help prevent trophoblast injury and fetal loss. The implications are related to fertility in female when seminal fluid is deposited in the vagina or uterus.

Contraceptive and molecular function of a novel recombinant vaccine based human leukemia inhibitory factor on Balb/c mice: An experimental in vivo study

The functional competence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), as immunocontraceptive vaccine in mice, was investigated. Balb/c mice were divided into two groups of vaccinated and controls. The recombinant human LIF (rhLIF) protein and phosphate buffer saline was emulsified with Freund's adjuvant and injected into vaccinated and control groups, respectively. Theinhibition of implantation was evaluated in mice uterine. The concentration of secreted interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-4 were measured in cultured splenocyte of mice stimulated by rhLIF. The expressions of immune responsive gene 1 (IRG-1), cochlin (COCH), amphiregulin(Ar), and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) genes were determined. Mice were assessed for inhibition of fertility after delivery, reversibility of immune response against rhLIF, and survival rate. Active immunization of mice with rhLIF resulted in reduction of the implantation and fertility rate up to 80.49% and 75%, respectively. All mice produced a high titer of anti-rhLIF antibodies in serums and vaginal fluids washes after 16 weeks; however, these antibodies were cleared from vaginal fluid washes after six months. A significant down-regulation in mRNA levels of IRG-1, Ar and HB-EGF was observed in vaccinated group compared to controls; however, no significant change in the expression profile of cochlin gene was detected. The results showed that rhLIF prevented pregnancy in a high percentage of female mice. Although the immunization of female Balb/c mice with rhLIF inhibited fertility and expression of genes associated with this molecule, further studies are needed to support this protein as a suitable candidate for contraceptive vaccine in mammals.