Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Jun 3:e13472. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Department of Environmental Health, Vocational School of Health Services, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey.

Problem: The cesarean section (CS) rate has increased significantly in North America, Western Europe, and Latin America. However, it has been reported that the incidence of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as asthma and type 1 diabetes increased in parallel with CS in these countries. Our aim was to investigate the expression level of miRNAs associated with inflammatory response and autoimmune diseases in colostrum samples and contribute to elucidating the role of CS in the pathogenesis of immune system-related diseases. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Jun 2:e13478. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.

In order to establish productive infection in women, HIV must transverse the vaginal epithelium and gain access to local target cells. Genital inflammation contributes to the availability of HIV susceptible cells at the female genital mucosa and is associated with higher HIV transmission rates in women. Factors that contribute to genital inflammation may subsequently increase the risk of HIV infection in women. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 30:e13476. Epub 2021 May 30.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.

Background: The intrauterine device (IUD) as a potential source of uro-gynecologic infection has raised concern for decades. While a causal link between IUD and pelvic inflammatory disease has been refuted, the relationship between IUDs and urinary tract infections (UTIs) remains incompletely understood.

Methods: We used a PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library search strategy to identify studies evaluating UTI occurrence and microbial signatures among women exposed to IUD. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 29:e13477. Epub 2021 May 29.

Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China.

Decidual natural killer cell (dNK), the predominant decidual lymphocytes in early pregnancy, are primarily identified based on their CD56 CD16 phenotype and play an important role in maintaining immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. dNK dysfunction reportedly leads to pathological pregnancy. Indeed, various dNK-derived soluble factors are involved in a series of key processes related to pregnancy outcomes. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 27:e13475. Epub 2021 May 27.

Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Innate and adaptive immune systems have a crucial role in initiating and progressing some pregnancy disorders such as preeclampsia (PE), which is one of the pregnancy-specific disorders that could result in neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The dysregulation of the spiral artery and inadequate trophoblast invasion lead to PE symptoms through producing various inflammatory cytokines and anti-angiogenic factors from the placenta. T lymphocytes play a special role in the epithelium and stroma of the human endometrium. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 22:e13469. Epub 2021 May 22.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.

Objective: Treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) will benefit from early detection of the cancer. Here, we provide proof-of-concept data supporting the hypothesis that circulating immune cells, because of their early recognition of tumors and the tumor microenvironment, can be considered for biomarker discovery.

Methods: Longitudinal blood samples from C57BL/6 mice bearing syngeneic ovarian tumors and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy postmenopausal women and newly diagnosed for HGSOC patients were subjected to RNASeq. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 22:e13471. Epub 2021 May 22.

Department of Gynecology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.

Problem: This study aims to investigate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on the gut microbiota (GM) and the abdominal environment in mice with endometriosis (EMS).

Methods: The effects of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EMS mice on mice treated with antibiotic cocktail were conducted. The 16S rRNA sequencing and PICRUSt software were used to detect the structure and function of GM respectively. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 21:e13470. Epub 2021 May 21.

Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Problem: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are a group of autoantibodies associated with a variety of pregnancy complications, but the impact of aPL on the outcomes of assisted fertility treatment (ART) is controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to explore the association between aPL and ART outcomes and to explore in which stages does aPL play a role.

Method Of Study: PubMed and Cochrane database were systematically retrieved, and odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in a random-effect model or fixed-effect model according to the heterogenicity assessed by the Cochran Q and I  statistic test. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 20:e13452. Epub 2021 May 20.

Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.

Problem: Current scientific guidelines recommend collecting placental specimens within two hours of delivery for gene expression analysis. However, collecting samples in a narrow time window is a challenge in the dynamic and unpredictable clinical setting, so delays in placental specimen collection are possible. The purpose of our analysis was to investigate temporal changes in placental gene expression by longitudinally sampling placentas over a 24 h period. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 18:e13456. Epub 2021 May 18.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 15:e13453. Epub 2021 May 15.

Nantong Institute of Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.

Problem: Chronic endometritis (CE) can cause infertility. Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen that is often found in the endometrium of CE patients. However, the mechanisms by which E. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 15:e13454. Epub 2021 May 15.

Division of Life Sciences, Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Problem: Maternal tolerance during pregnancy increases the risk of infection with certain intracellular pathogens. Systemic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S.Tm) infection during pregnancy in normally resistant 129X1/SvJ mice leads to severe placental infection, as well as fetal and maternal deaths. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 15:e13455. Epub 2021 May 15.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Background: Access to safe, effective, and affordable contraception is important for women's health and essential to mitigate maternal and fetal mortality rates. The progestin-based contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a popular contraceptive choice with a low failure rate and convenient administration schedule.

Aim: In this review, we compiled observational data from human cohorts that examine how DMPA influences the mucosal biology of the female genital tract (FGT) that are essential in maintaining vaginal health, including resident immune cells, pro-inflammatory cytokines, epithelial barrier function, and the vaginal microbiome MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review focused on the recent published literature published in 2019 and 2020. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May;85 Suppl 1:64

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May;85 Suppl 1:70

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May;85 Suppl 1:3-17

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May;85 Suppl 1:18-132

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 6:e13438. Epub 2021 May 6.

Microgenesis Co, Detroit, MI, USA.

Problem: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between vaginal/rectal microbiome disbalances and miRNA expression with infertility.

Method Of Study: Observational, exploratory, preliminary study. A total of 287 multiple IVF failure infertile patients were recruited. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 2:e13437. Epub 2021 May 2.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Munich, LMU Munich, Germany.

Background: Maternal immunological rejection of the semi-allogenic fetus is discussed as one of the significant factors involved in early pregnancy loss. An array of cytokines secreted by both maternal and fetal cells is involved in generating a delicate maternal immune tolerance. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is discussed to play a key role in pro-inflammatory processes, but there is still limited insight into the pathophysiological input on placentation and embryonic development in early pregnancy loss. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 May 2:e13436. Epub 2021 May 2.

NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China.

Problem: Circadian rhythms are involved not only in the repair and regeneration of the immune system, but may also be associated with regulation of inflammation and immune responses. Rev-erbα could constitute a link between immunity and circadian rhythms since it is a transcription factor that regulates circadian rhythms and has functions in multiple physiological and pathological processes. Decidual macrophages (dMφs) play crucial roles in immune balance at the maternal-fetal interface, and abnormal macrophage polarization is related to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as infertility, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and preterm labor. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 27:e13434. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México.

Problem: The cAMP pathway is involved in important biological processes including immune regulation and hormone signaling. At the feto-maternal unit, cAMP participates in placental function/physiology and the establishment of immunoendocrine networks. Low cAMP in male fetuses cord blood has been linked to poorer perinatal outcomes; however, cAMP placental content and its relationship with immune factors and fetal sex in an infectious condition have not been investigated. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 27:e13435. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

Problem: Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of increased morbidity and mortality in newborns. The main cause of spontaneous PTB (sPTB) is the activation of an inflammatory response as a result of ascending genital tract infection. Despite various studies on the effects of the vaginal microbiome on PTB, a practical method for its clinical application has yet to be developed. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 25:e13433. Epub 2021 Apr 25.

Center of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), termed as two or more consecutive pregnancy loss is a great problem for some women of childbearing age. A large number of evidence confirm that there may be an immune background of RSA. As a member of the innate immune system, uterine natural killer (uNK) cells account for about 70% of total lymphocytes during pregnancy and play a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 24:e13432. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.

Problem: HIV/AIDS and sexual violence act synergistically and compromise women's health. Yet, immuno-biological mechanisms linking sexual violence and increased HIV susceptibility are poorly understood.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study of HIV-uninfected women, comparing 13 women exposed to forced vaginal penetration within the past 12 weeks (Exposed) with 25 Non-Exposed women. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 21:e13431. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

School of Sciences, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, India.

Problem: Fork Head Box Protein 3 (FOXP3) is an X-linked gene, codes for a master transcription regulatory protein that controls the development and function of immunosuppressive T regulatory (Treg) cells. They are crucial mediators of maternal foetal tolerance and successful pregnancy outcome. The aim of the study is to evaluate the association of FOXP3 rs3761548 functional polymorphism and to assess the serum concentrations of full-length FOXP3 protein in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions (URSA) patients of Southern India. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 17:e13430. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Background: B7-H4, a checkpoint molecule of the B7 family, regulates a broad spectrum such as T-cell activation, cytokine secretion, tumour progression, and invasion capacities. Our previous data revealed that soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) blood serum levels are elevated in women at high risk for the hypertensive pregnancy disorder preeclampsia (PE) in the first trimester, as well as in patients with confirmed early/late-onset PE.

Aim: We here aim to investigate the expression pattern of B7-H4 in placental tissues of PE and HELLP Syndrome versus control group. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 04 12;85(4):e13415. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of OB/GYN, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan.

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 9:e13428. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center and Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Problem: Immunologic, angiogenic, and anti-angiogenic factors are associated with spontaneous abortion (SAB). B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), placental growth factor (PlGF), and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) may play a role in SAB and may serve singly or in combination as an early biomarker of SAB.

Method Of Study: In this prospective observational study, serum sFlt-1, PIGF, BAFF, and APRIL levels were measured in the first trimester of pregnancy in a medically-diverse group of women and in non-pregnant controls. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 9:e13429. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Center for Reproductive Medicine and Implantation Research, Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

Problem: We aimed to assess whether an imbalance of T-helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells contributes to implantation failure and pregnancy loss.

Method Of Study: In this cross-sectional study, 197 consecutive patients with a history of repeated implantation failure (RIF) after three or more embryo transfer (ET) cycles and/or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) after two or more clinical pregnancy losses underwent Th cell testing. After excluding 42 women aged ≥44 and 9 with vitamin D supplementation, we recruited 146 women including 79 with RIF and 81 with RPL. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2021 Apr 2:e13426. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Immunology, IML and IdSSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.

Problem: Expansion of circulating NK cells has been related to pregnancy complications. This study aims at investigating several surface NK cell markers to identify a baseline inflammatory profile in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (iRPL) and recurrent implantation failure (iRIF).

Method Of Study: Expression of NKp30, TIGIT, NKp46, and DNAM-1 on total peripheral blood NK subsets, regulatory (CD56 CD16 ), and cytotoxic (CD56 CD16 ) NK cells was measured. Read More