Lymphocyte Immunotherapy (LI) Increases Serum Levels of Progesterone Induced Blocking Factor (PIBF)
Corresponding Author
Jerome H. Check MD
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey
7447 Old York Road, Melrose Park, PA 19027.Search for more papers by this authorMaria Arwitz
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey
Search for more papers by this authorJenifer Gross
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey
Search for more papers by this authorMark Peymer
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey
Search for more papers by this authorJulia Szekeres-Bartho
Department of Microbiology, University Medical School of PECS, PECS, Hungary
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jerome H. Check MD
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey
7447 Old York Road, Melrose Park, PA 19027.Search for more papers by this authorMaria Arwitz
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey
Search for more papers by this authorJenifer Gross
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey
Search for more papers by this authorMark Peymer
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey
Search for more papers by this authorJulia Szekeres-Bartho
Department of Microbiology, University Medical School of PECS, PECS, Hungary
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
PROBLEM: To determine if allogenic stimulation from leukocyte immunization (LI) can increase the production of an immunomodulatory protein called progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) by CD8+ T-lymphocytes.
METHOD: The study group consisted of 35 women, 29 who failed to conceive after repeated embryo transfers (ETs) and six with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). The women underwent LI using the male partner's blood as the source of leukocytes. Progesterone induced blocking factor was measured pre- and post-LI with an immunocytochemistry method using a PIBF-specific polyclonal antibody.
RESULTS: The mean percentage of lymphocytes expressing PIBF, as well as the percentage of cases whose PIBF level increased to 1% or more, was significantly higher post-LI. Similarly post-LI, there was a significantly lower percentage of zero PIBF levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Leukocyte immunization causes an increase in PIBF in many cases. Possibly the improved pregnancy outcome in immunized patients with RSA or previous failure to conceive with in vitro fertilization may be partially or possibly completely explained by its stimulatory effect on PIBF.
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