Beta-2-glycoprotein I and urinary trypsin inhibitor levels in the plasma of pregnant and postpartum women.

Annexins (Anx) are a family of structurally related proteins that all bind to anionic phospholipids in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Some biological properties of beta-2-glycoprotein I (beta(2)-GPI) are similar to those of Anx IV and Anx V. Urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) helps to maintain normal pregnancy and prevent preterm delivery by inhibiting uterine contraction. However, plasma beta(2)-GPI and UTI levels have not been measured in normal pregnancy. The aim of this study is to clarify the levels of these parameters. Subjects were nonpregnant women (n=50), 120 pregnant women, and maternal subjects just after delivery (n=53) or postpartum (n=67). All of the subjects were healthy. Plasma levels of beta(2)-GPI, UTI, Anx IV, Anx V and other coagulation and fibrinolysis markers were measured by ELISA. The mean plasma level of beta(2)-GPI was significantly increased during the third trimester of pregnancy and 3 to 5 days after delivery. The mean plasma level of UTI was unchanged from the first trimester of pregnancy to the postpartum period. The mean plasma UTI level in vaginal delivery group was significantly higher than that in cesarean section group. beta(2)-GPI protein was expressed in some of the syncytiotrophoblasts. These data suggest that beta(2)-GPI might act to prevent blood clotting on the placental surfaces and also prevents disseminated intravascular coagulation in the microcirculation and maternal plasma. UTI levels might be kept constant by increased urinary excretion despite overproduction during pregnancy.

Levels of annexin IV and V in the plasma of pregnant and postpartum women.

Annexin (Anx) V is pivotal in the maintenance of pregnancy by preventing the activation of blood coagulation. The homology of the amino acid sequence between Anx IV and Anx V is highest in Anx family proteins. However, little is known about the roles of Anx IV in pregnancy. The aim of this study is to clarify the roles of circulating Anx IV and Anx V in normal pregnancy. Subjects were non-pregnant women (n = 50), 120 pregnant women, and maternal subjects just after delivery (n = 53) or postpartum (n = 67). Anx IV in the plasma of non-pregnant women was at a concentration 20 times that of Anx V. The plasma levels of Anx IV suddenly increase after delivery, but Anx V levels remain low during this period. Anx IV and Anx V exert similar levels of anticoagulant activity. Anx IV protein was expressed on the basal surface of syncytiotrophoblasts; Anx V protein, on the apical surface of syncytiotrophoblasts. These results suggest that Anx IV enters the maternal bloodstream just after delivery and might play a role in preventing disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and that Anx V helps to prevent clotting in the placenta during pregnancy.

Immunological and endocrinological studies on lymphocyte subpopulation and medical treatment for infertility in patients with endometriosis.

We investigated the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and subset profiles of T lymphocyte (T-cell) and macrophage in peritoneal fluid (PF) with or without endometriosis (EM). IL-6 levels in PF with EM were significantly higher than those without EM. IL-6 producing cells with EM were analyzed in each activated mature T-cell (CD3+CD69+) and macrophage (CD14+) were 0.5 and 3.5%, respectively, whereas it was mostly negative in those without EM. Cytotoxic T-cell (CD8+CD11b-) profiles in PF with EM were also quiet different from those without EM. Cellular immunity in the peripheral blood did not change during the course of IVF-ET cycles, although plasma levels of ovarian steroid hormones significantly increased comparing with that in normal ovarian cycles. Cytotoxic T-cell type 1 (Tc1) profiles might be useful predictive values in the pregnancy outcome for infertile patients with EM.