[Significance of evaluation of CD69 expression by peripheral blood lymphocytes for predicting pregnancy outcome in women with recurrent pregnancy loss]

The aim of this work was to characterize phenotypically peripheral blood T- and NK lymphocytes expressing an early marker of activation, CD69, and assess the significance of CD69 expression for predicting pregnancy outcome in women with idiopathic reccurent pregnancy loss (IRP) before and after immunocytotherapy (ICT). The study group consisted of 36 patients with IRP who became pregnant after pre-gestational allimmunization, in 30 patients the pregnancy was prolonged to the full term and ended with the birth of a viable baby, in 6 - it was terminated before 12 weeks of gestation. In the control group, 15 fertile women outside pregnancy and 11 women at 12 weeks of physiological pregnancy were examined. Assessment of the CD69 expression in women with prolonged pregnancy revealed the absence of significant differences with the control group in the content and proportion of activated lymphocytes (CD69+). In women with aborted pregnancy after pre-gestational ICT, an increase in the number of almost all analyzed lymphocyte subpopulations responding to the activation stimulus, with a clear tendency to increase the proportion of activated T- but not NK-lymphocytes was found. At 5-6 weeks, the proportion of activated lymphocytes among a subpopulation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CD3+CD8+/CD3+CD8+CD69+) in these women was significantly higher than in women with prolonged pregnancy, which confirms the leading role of effector cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in rejection reactions. Thus, the studies showed the promise of evaluating the expression of the early activation marker CD69 as an additional laboratory criterion for the personable appointment of immunocytotherapy to women with a common reccurent pregnancy loss.

Lymphocyte Activation in the Development of Immune Tolerance in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Association between lymphocyte activation and formation of immune tolerance, as well as pregnancy outcome, in the case of immunocytotherapy (ICT) was studied in women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (IRPL). The content and phenotypic characteristics of activated T lymphocytes and NK cells were investigated in the peripheral blood of IRPL patients with different pregnancy outcomes (pregnancy prolongation to the full term and habitual miscarriage). The fraction of activated cells in the subpopulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD3⁺CD8⁺/CD3⁺CD8⁺CD69⁺) before ICT was significantly lower in women who lost the pregnancy. After ICT, the fraction of these cells during weeks 5-6 of pregnancy in woman with miscarriage was higher than in women with pregnancy prolonged to the full-term. Excessive content of activated cytotoxic lymphocytes can be a mechanism underlying impaired maternal immunotolerance to fetal alloantigens, which is a leading factor of early pregnancy loss. The obtained data confirm the involvement of activated Th17 cells and FOXP3⁺ Treg cells in the formation of tolerance to paternal antigens of the fetus. Comparison of the decrease in the fraction of CD4+CD25^highRORγt⁺ lymphocytes at the early gestation period (5-6 weeks) and significant upregulation of the IL-17 production by in vitro stimulated whole blood cells in women with miscarriage with the same parameters in women with prolonged pregnancy suggested an imbalance between pro-inflammatory Th17 cells and Treg cells. No such imbalance in the content effector T lymphocytes was observed in women with the full-term pregnancy. Taken together, our data indicate an important role of gestational activation of lymphocytes in the formation of maternal immune response to fetal alloantigens necessary for the prolongation of pregnancy.

Detection of Antileukocytic Antibodies in Blood Serum using Lymphocytes and Latex Microspheres Carrying HLA-Antigens upon Alloimmunization of Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Anti-HLA-antibodies were detected using cross-reaction of blood serum with allogenic T and B cells and latex microspheres coated with HLA-I and HLA-II antigens. HLA+ and HLA-sera obtained from women before and after allogeneic immunization were tested. The results obtained by these methods significantly differed. The test with latex microspheres detected antibodies to HLA-I and HLA-II antigens with high sensitivity and specificity and can be used for assessment of clinical significance of alloantibody detection when using alloimmunization in the therapy of gestation disorders.

Relationship between spermatozoon movement velocity and expression of testicular isoform of angiotensin-converting enzyme on their surface

The expression of testicular isoform of angiotensin-converting enzyme on the surface of human spermatozoa was evaluated by flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies to epitopes of C-terminal domain of human angiotensin-converting enzyme and the mean path, mean curvilinear and straight-line velocities were determined by computer analysis of spermatozoon movement. A positive correlation between the expression of testicular isoform of angiotensin-converting enzyme on the cell surface and spermatozoon movement velocity was revealed.

Quantitative study of testicular angiotensin-converting enzyme on the surface of human spermatozoa

Expression of testicular angiotensin-converting enzyme on the surface of human spermatozoa was studied by means of flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies. Expression of testicular angiotensin-converting enzyme on the cell surface depended on functional and morphological characteristics of spermatozoa.

Free radical generation in ejaculate samples from infertile patients

Generation of free radicals in ejaculate samples from infertile patients was evaluated using chemiluminescent technique. The presence of antisperm antibodies in samples increased the possibility of damages to spermatozoon plasma membranes due to excessive generation of free radicals.

Antisperm antibodies and sterility: insoluble problem or perspective trend of research?

Conflicting opinions about the effects of antisperm antibodies on fertilization can be due to inadequacy of experimental approaches in evaluating the antisperm immunity. Detection of antisperm antibodies bound to the surface of live spermatozoa can be associated with aggregation of surface antigen-antibody complexes followed by metabolic activation of spermatozoa and acrosomal reaction, which impair cell resistance. New concept of antisperm immunity and its influence on reproduction can be formulated only after comprehensive studies of the mechanisms of spermatozoon response to binding of antisperm antibodies. Further improvement of quantitative assays of antisperm antibodies and evaluation of their effect on spermatozoon function should be aimed at selection of experimental conditions preventing changes in spermatozoa coated with antisperm antibodies during in vitro manipulations.

Antisperm antibodies detection by flow cytometry is affected by aggregation of antigen-antibody complexes on the surface of spermatozoa

Flow cytometry (FCM) analysis of live antibody-coated spermatozoa subjected to immunofluorescence staining (FCM test) is considered an objective method for the quantitative detection of antisperm antibodies (ASA). But the cross-linking of cell surface antigen (Ag) with bivalent antibodies and/or antigen-antibody (Ag-Ab) complexes with second antibodies may induce the reorganization of surface components (patching and capping) and result in their shedding from the sperm surface. The present study estimates the relationship between aggregation of Ag-Ab complexes on the sperm surface and the results of indirect FCM test. Swim-up spermatozoa of normozoospermic men were incubated with ASA-positive sera from infertile patients and with second antibodies fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled goat anti-human IgG polyclonal antiserum under different conditions and then analysed by FCM and fluorescence microscopy. It was shown that low temperature, cytochalasin B, excess or lack of the primary and/or secondary antibodies and sperm fixation by paraformaldehyde may inhibit aggregation and shedding of Ag-Ab complexes and dramatically increase ASA quantity determined on the sperm surface. However, inhibition of aggregation on the live sperm surface was observed only in a minority of ASA-positive samples and was poorly reproducible using semen of different donors. A high probability of Ag-Ab complex shedding from the sperm surface during experimental manipulation limits the use of indirect FCM test for quantitative ASA determination.

Evaluation of stimulus-induced acrosome reaction by two-colour flow cytometric analysis

Acrosome status in human spermatozoa from 20 normozoospermic men was evaluated by flow cytometry following the induction of the acrosome reaction with the ionophore A23187. Dual fluorescence staining of methanol fixed spermatozoa incubated with and without (control) the ionophore A23187 was performed with probes which targeted the outer acrosomal membrane (OAM) (rhodamine-labelled Arachis hypogaea agglutinin) or constituents of the acrosomal vesicle (fluorescein-labelled Pisum sativum agglutinin). Flow cytometry analysis revealed two major subpopulations of cells: acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa after induction of the acrosome reaction. The intensity of green and red fluorescence in acrosome-reacted spermatozoa was significantly lower than that of the acrosome-intact control spermatozoa (P < 0.0001). The intensity of green fluorescence in the acrosome-intact subpopulation of spermatozoa was significantly higher than that of the control population (P < 0.002). Exposure of spermatozoa to the ionophore A23187 resulted in reliable enhancement of the number of spermatozoa with very high intensity of green and/or red fluorescence compared with the control (P < 0.03). An inverse correlation between the number of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa and spermatozoa with a very high intensity of green and/or red fluorescence was demonstrated (r = -0.631, P < 0.01). This method provides an objective and efficient procedure for quantitative estimation of the acrosomal status of human spermatozoa.

Flow cytometry study on the effect of serum and peritoneal fluid of women on sperm-binding activity of immunoglobulin G antisperm antibodies

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of sera and peritoneal fluids (PFs) from fertile and infertile women on the binding of antisperm antibodies to the surface of spermatozoa.

DESIGN

The immunoglobulin (Ig) G antisperm antibodies binding to the surface of liver spermatozoa was evaluated after their incubation in antisperm antibodies-positive serum from an infertile male in the presence and absence of female sera or PFs.

SETTING

Russian Scientific Center for Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Perinatology.

PATIENT(S)

Serum and PF samples from fertile and infertile women; antisperm antibodies-positive serum from infertile men; high-quality fresh semen from healthy donors.

INTERVENTION(S)

Serum samples were obtained from fertile and infertile women and from infertile men. Peritoneal fluids were collected during routine laparoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The proportion of spermatozoa positive for IgG antibodies and the quantity of antisperm antibodies on the sperm surface measured by flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULT(S)

The addition of sera from fertile or infertile women with endometriosis or pelvic adhesion disease to an IgG antisperm antibodies-positive male serum resulted in significant inhibition of the antisperm antibodies binding to the sperm surface.

CONCLUSION(S)

Sera of fertile as well as infertile woman contain factors that block IgG antisperm antibodies binding to the surface of live spermatozoa.

Detection of antisperm antibodies on the surface of living spermatozoa using flow cytometry: preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of flow cytometry (FCM) analysis of living spermatozoa subjected to indirect immunofluorescence staining with the mouse anti-human immunoglobulin (Ig)G monoclonal antibodies (FCM test) as an objective method for the detection of antisperm antibodies in semen and serum.

DESIGN

The comparative studies were conducted with the direct and indirect mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) and FCM test performed by FCM analyzer FACSCAN (Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems, Mountain View, CA).

SETTING

Clinical infertile service.

PATIENTS

Seventy-six semen and 20 sera samples of infertile patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

For IgG in semen there was a highly significant correlation between the direct MAR and FCM test. Six of 12 IgG-positive samples revealed also IgA, and just one sample, which showed negative MAR, was positive for IgM in FCM test. Flow cytometry test and indirect MAR showed also a highly significant correlation of the results of IgG detection in sera.

CONCLUSIONS

Flow cytometry test may be used to verify that IgG antisperm antibodies are on the surface of living spermatozoa either retrieved directly from an ejaculate or after exposure to serum and to determine proportion of antisperm antibodies-positive spermatozoa, titer, and quantity of antibodies bound to the cell surface.

[Lymphocyte subpopulation state of the human lung during prenatal development]

Distribution of surface lymphocyte markers was assessed in foetus lung by cytofluorimetry using monoclonal antibodies produced by "Ortho Diagnostic systems" and "Becton Dickinson". Seven lymphocyte subpopulations were detected in developing lungs even at the pseudoglandular stage (8-15 weeks). There was a significant increase in these lymphocyte subpopulations in canalicular stage. Quantity of T3+ cells increased 8-fold and B-cells 10-fold. There was a tendency to increased number of cortical thymocytes (T6+), and to decreased ratio T6+/T3+ lymphocytes. The ratio of immunoregulatory lymphocyte subpopulations (T4+/T8+) resembled that of these subpopulations in adult human lung rather than in cord blood. In canalicular stage the share of lung lymphoid cells in S-phase was decreased.

[Detection of anti-sperm antibodies on the surface of live spermatozoa by the method of flow cytometry]

Detection of antisperm antibodies is an important step of the diagnosis of infertility. In present study we conducted comparative studies with the detection of antisperm antibodies in IgG, IgA and IgM classes on the surface of living spermatozoa by flow cytometry and with Mixed Agglutination Reaction and Sperm immobilization. Our data show that flow cytometry may be used to verify that immunoglobulins are on the surface of living spermatozoa, either retrieved directly from an ejaculate or following exposure to cervical mucus or serum and to determine their isotype, proportion of sperm which bound antibody and quantity of immunoglobulins bound to cell surface.

Primary culture of endothelial cells from atherosclerotic human aorta. Part 1. Identification, morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of two endothelial cell subpopulations

Endothelial cells (EC) were harvested by 0.1% collagenase treatment for adult human thoracic aortas obtained 1-3 h after sudden death. At least 35-70% of EC were removed from the intimal surface of aorta, 90-95% of them being viable. Plating efficiency was 70-80%. Monolayer formation was achieved at a seeding density of 5-8 X 10(2) cells/mm2. The cells were identified as endothelium by the presence of Factor VIII antigen, Weigel-Palade bodies and typically endothelial morphology at confluence. Unlike endothelial cultures derived from human umbilical veins and infant aortas, primary cultures obtained from human adult aortas contain multinuclear EC with Factor VIII antigen and Weibel-Palade bodies. The number of multinuclear EC in cultures isolated from aortas affected by atherosclerosis was 2-fold higher (P less than 0.05) than in cultures obtained from grossly normal aortas taken from donors of the same age. EC with numerous lipid inclusions revealed by oil-red-O staining were present in all the EC primary cultures derived from aortas affected by atherosclerosis. No oil-red-O-positive cells were detected among the EC cultured from infant aorta, aorta of young donors, and umbilical vein. An electron microscopic examination of EC from atherosclerotic aorta in culture and in situ failed to reveal any ultrastructural peculiarities distinguishing multinuclear EC from the mononuclear EC.

Study of mumps virus invasiveness in monkeys

Invasiveness of mumps virus strains, differing in the degree of attenuation was studied in green and Macaca mulatta monkeys infected either into salivary glands or intramuscularly. Peripheral infection with all strains under study resulted in their penetration into CNS irrespective of the attenuation degree. Specific morphological changes were observed in the brain of monkeys as confirmed by detection of virus antigen using fluorescent antibodies (FA) staining. Morphological changes and time of virus antigen detection in the brain differed depending on the neurovirulence of the strains based on different degree of their attenuation.

Heterogeneity of endothelium in human aorta. A quantitative analysis by scanning electron microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize a silver-stained endothelial surface of human aorta and iliac artery. The autopsy material was taken 1-3 h after death from two age groups: group A (0-7 yr) and group B (40-75 yr). The mean cell density per 1 mm2 in the arteries of group A was significantly higher than in the arteries of group B which lie outside ostia, fatty streaks and plaques. In adult arteries the cell density over the plaque was significantly lower than in the regions overlying a fatty streak or uninvolved surface. The luminal surface of child arteries outside high hemodynamic stress zones is a homogeneous sheet covered with exceptionally small (less than 400 micron2) and medium (400-800 micron2) cells. Large (800-1200 micron2) and giant (1200-8000 micron2) endothelial cells emerge only in fatty streaks of child arteries. The luminal surface of adult arteries is a heterogeneous monolayer covered with polymorphic cells both in regions unaffected by atherosclerosis and over the fatty streak and plaque. Giant and large endothelial cells account for 25-41% of the total cell population of adult arteries, occupying more than 40% of the surface in the latter.

[Primary culture of endothelial cells from the human umbilical vein: identification and characteristics of a growing and confluent culture]

Endothelial cells (EC) were derived selectively from the intimal surface of human umbilical veins with a 0.1% collagenase solution, after Gimbrone et al. (1974) with some modifications. The plating efficiency to plastic was 70-75% for 24 hours in collagenase dispersed cells. A confluent monolayer with cell density 10(5) cells/cm2 as formed by 5-8 days. The optimal cell growth was obtained with seed density 5-8 X 10(4) cells/cm2. The EC were identified in culture using the following hallmarks: a) the presence of the Weibel-Palade bodies in the cytoplasm, b) VIII coagulation factor, c) silver staining of EC borders in monolayer. The EC doubling time in the log phase of growth was shown to be 48-56 hours. The contact DNA inhibition was demonstrated in confluent culture with 3H-thymidine incorporation and by means of a cell flow-cytofluorometry method. The same methods were used for evaluating the homogeneity of EC in culture.