scholarly journals Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors in Decidua Natural Killer Cells of Term Normal Pregnancy

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hideki Takahashi ◽  
Tatsuo Yamamoto ◽  
Motomi Yamazaki ◽  
Takayuki Murase ◽  
Takayuki Matsuno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Normal Pregnancy ◽  
Elective Cesarean Section ◽  
Natural Cytotoxicity ◽  
Term Pregnancy ◽  
Elective Cesarean ◽  
Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors

Aim. To investigate the changes in the maternal immune system at term pregnancy, we studied the expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) and the cytokine production of NK cells in term placenta decidua and peripheral blood. Methods. Term decidua and peripheral blood were taken from patients undergoing elective cesarean section. The lymphocytes were separated using density gradient centrifugation (DGC) from peripheral blood and were separated from decidua using DGC after enzyme digestion. These cells were stained with FITC anti-CD56 and Per-CP anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies, and the NCRs were stained with PE-conjugated anti-NKG2D, NKp46, NKp30, and NKp44 monoclonal antibodies. Cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and TGF-β, were stained and then analyzed by flow cytometry. Results. There were fewer cells positive for NKG2D, NKp46, and NKp30 among CD56+CD3- cells in deciduas than in peripheral blood, but the percentages of NKp44-positive cells in CD56+CD3- lymphocytes in deciduas tended to be higher. Conclusion. The decreased expression of some NCRs in deciduas may be related to decreased cytotoxicity at term pregnancy, but the increased expression of NKp44 may affect the increased cytokine production in the decidua. Similarly, the expression of NCRs in the decidua may be connected to the maintenance of pregnancy at term.

scholarly journals Cytokine production in ex-vivo stimulated fresh and cryopreserved T-cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Monica Vuță ◽  
Ionela-Maria Cotoi ◽  
Ion Bogdan Mănescu ◽  
Doina Ramona Manu ◽  
Minodora Dobreanu
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Intracellular Cytokine Staining ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Middle Aged

Abstract Objective: In vitro cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is an important and reliable measure of immunocompetence. PBMC can be stimulated directly after isolation or frozen for later use. However, cryopreservation may affect cell recovery, viability and functionality. This study aims to investigate cytokine synthesis in ex-vivo stimulated fresh and cryopreserved CD4+ and CD4- T cells. Methods: PBMCs were obtained by Ficoll gradient centrifugation from heparinized peripheral blood of 6 middle-aged clinically healthy subjects. Half of these cells (labeled “Fresh”) was further processed and the other half (labeled “Cryo”) was cryopreserved at -140°C for up to 3 months. Fresh-PBMCs were activated with Phorbol-Myristate-Acetate/Ionomycin/Monensin for 5 hours immediately after isolation while Cryo-PBMCs were identically activated after thawing and cell resting. Activated cells were fixed, permeabilized and intracellular cytokine staining was performed using Phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated antibodies for Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-a), and Interferon-gamma (IFN-g). All samples were analyzed within 24 hours by flow cytometry. Results: Both Fresh and Cryo CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD4- sub-populations partially produced each of the three cytokines. A higher percentage of CD4+ T cells produced IL-2 and TNF-a and a greater percentage of CD4- T cells were found to produce IFN-g. A significantly higher percentage of Cryo-lymphocytes was shown to produce TNF-a in both CD3+CD4+ (31.4% vs 24.9%, p=0.031) and CD3+CD4- (22.7% vs 17.9%, p=0.031) subpopulations. No notable difference was found for IL-2 and IFN-g production between Fresh and Cryo T cells. Conclusion: Cryopreservation for up to 3 months significantly increases TNF-a production of T-cells in clinically healthy middle-aged subjects.

scholarly journals Maternal Serum Melatonin Increases During Pregnancy and Falls Immediately After Delivery Implicating the Placenta as a Major Source of Melatonin

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haroon Ejaz ◽  
Juliana K. Figaro ◽  
Andrea M. F. Woolner ◽  
Bensita M. V. Thottakam ◽  
Helen F. Galley
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Normal Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Major Metabolite ◽  
Elective Cesarean Section ◽  
Elective Cesarean ◽  
In Pregnancy

Melatonin is a neuroendocrine hormone which regulates circadian rhythm and is also an antioxidant. The role of melatonin in pregnancy is emerging. The enzymes needed for endogenous synthesis of melatonin have been identified in the placenta, although the contribution to circulating maternal melatonin in normal pregnancy is unclear. This work aimed to determine serum levels of melatonin and its major metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) in normal pregnant women during each trimester of pregnancy, and immediately after delivery. Blood samples were obtained from a cohort of healthy pregnant women during each trimester of pregnancy (n = 26), from women scheduled for elective Cesarean section (CS) before and after delivery (n = 15), along with placental samples, and from healthy non-pregnant women as controls (n = 30). Melatonin and its major metabolite, 6-OHMS, were measured using enzyme immunoassay. Levels of serum melatonin were significantly higher during pregnancy than in non-pregnant women (P = 0.025) and increased throughout pregnancy (P < 0.0001). In women undergoing CS, serum melatonin decreased markedly 24 h after delivery (P = 0.0013). Similar results were seen for serum levels of 6-OHMS, and placental tissue 6-OHMS levels correlated with week of gestation at delivery (p = 0.018). In summary, maternal melatonin production is higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant women, increases significantly during pregnancy with highest levels in the third trimester, and decreases abruptly after delivery. These results suggest that the placenta is a major source of melatonin and supports a physiological role for melatonin in pregnancy.

scholarly journals Altered Expression of Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors and NKG2D on Peripheral Blood NK Cell Subsets in Breast Cancer Patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 384-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayeli Goreti Nieto-Velázquez ◽  
Yessica Dorin Torres-Ramos ◽  
José Luis Muñoz-Sánchez ◽  
Lorena Espinosa-Godoy ◽  
Susana Gómez-Cortés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Natural Cytotoxicity ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors

scholarly journals Term Pregnancy in a Woman with Incomplete Transverse Vaginal Septum- An Interesting Case

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
sathiya priya subburaj ◽  
sathiya priya subburaj ◽  
Jyotsna sharma ◽  
HARITHA SAGILI
Keyword(s):  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Interesting Case ◽  
Elective Cesarean Section ◽  
Term Pregnancy ◽  
Obstructed Labor ◽  
Vaginal Septum ◽  
Transverse Vaginal Septum ◽  
Elective Cesarean ◽  
First Time

Transverse vaginal septum is a rare Mullerian duct anomaly presenting for the first time in pregnancy and labor. A 24-year-old primigravida presented at 39 weeks gestation. Speculum examination revealed a thick transverse vaginal septum with a pinpoint opening in the upper aspect. Elective cesarean section was done followed by digital perforation and dilatation of the septum. The postoperative period was uneventful. At six week follow up there was no restenosis or scarring of the vagina. To avoid complications like obstructed labor and laceration of vagina prophylactic cesarean section is advocated when the thickness of the septum cannot be ascertained on clinical examination.

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