HLA-DQA1*0505 sharing and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors in sub fertile couples: report from the 15th International Histocompatibility Workshop.

This aim of the study was to investigate whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQA1*0505 sharing or the maternal killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) repertoire is associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) or repeated implantation failure (RIF). The study included 224 couples with RSA, 61 couples with RIF, 182 fertile couples, and 10 couples with successful in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF)/ET at first cycle. HLA-DQA1*0505 typing using polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO) was performed in 185 RSA (117 with alloimmune abnormalities and 68 of autoimmune etiology), 61 RIF and 182 control couples, and KIR genotyping using polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) in 167 RSA and 55 RIF cases as well as 46 RSA and 10 IVF controls. No differences in DQA1*0505 sharing were found between patients and controls. In RSA and RIF women, the ratio of inhibitory to activating KIRs was slightly lower (1.53 and 1.85 vs 2.03 in controls). The analysis of maternal inhKIR and fetal HLA-C molecule pairs showed that the 'less inhibiting' combination KIR2DL3-C1 was found in higher percentage in subfertile (mainly RIF) than in fertile couples. In contrast, the percentage of cases possessing the 'strong inhibiting' combination KIR2DL1-C2 was lower in the RSA and RIF groups in comparison with that in the control groups (17.36% vs 23.91 and 16.36% vs 40%, respectively). In women with >or= 6 implantation failures, the KIR2DL1-C2 combination was not found in any of them (P = 0.0014), and the KIR2DL3-C1 combination was not found in the control IVF group. The results oppose the suggestion that increased HLA-DQA1*0505 sharing predispose to RSA or RIF. The KIR2DL3-C1 combination (or lack of the KIR2DL1-C2 one) is associated with implantation failure.

Immunostimulation exacerbates the biological effects of chemical carcinogens.

The reciprocal relation between the high regenerative ability of various animal species and the low incidence of haphazard or experimentally induced malignant tumours in these animal species is well documented. Equally well documented is the repeated observation that the decline in regenerative potential coincides with an increase in the incidence of cancers, a fact which, on an evolutionary scale, parallels with the development of a sophisticated immune system. The combination of the above observations led to the hypothesis that at least parts of an immune reaction might promote tumour development, and indeed, many experiments specifically designed to answer this question support this prediction. However, this "immunostimulation theory of tumour development" is neither explained in a satisfactory fashion nor universally adopted. The aim of the present investigation was to approach this issue by exploiting the dual, spectacular ability of urodele amphibians to regenerate a lot of organs and to make a stand to carcinogenesis. To this end, urodele amphibians of the species Triturus cristatus were immunologically challenged by intra-abdominal injections of sheep serum, they had then both their hind limbs amputated, and crystals of MNNG (N-Methyl-N"-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) were implanted into the stumps. The results show that the effects of MNNG on the immunostimulated animals display significant quantitative augmentation with respect to non-immunized controls. This augmentation consists in higher animal mortality, extension of the dedifferentiating stump tissue and concomitant retardation of limb restoration, and increase in the incidence of abnormal regenerates.

14th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop: report from the reproductive immunology component.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele sharing between partners or the maternal killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) repertoire is associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization (IVF)/embryo transfer. From a total population of 158 RSA couples, 40 couples with repeated implantation failures (IVF) and 81 control couples, reported by five different laboratories, analysis was performed for (a) HLA sharing in 50 RSA, 31 IVF and 31 control couples, (b) DQA1*0505 sharing/homozygosity among partners in 108 RSA, 40 IVF and 36 control couples, and (c) the women's KIR repertoire in 46 RSA, 26 IVF and 36 control wives. RSA couples were divided into alloimmune aborter (RSAallo) and autoimmune aborter (RSAauto). The results oppose to the suggestion that increased HLA sharing per se or a limited maternal KIR repertoire predisposes to RSA or IVF failure. However, the observation of a slightly higher percentage of DQA1*0505 sharing in the RSAauto and the IVF group needs further investigation. The ratio of inhibitory to activating KIR (actKIR) was slightly lower in RSAallo and IVF women (1.9 vs 2.6 in controls), while in a high percentage of these women, the standard receptors of the KIR A haplotype were combined with actKIR/s of the haplotype B (66.6% and 45.4% vs 20% and 15.3% in RSAauto and control groups). This may suggest a possible involvement of actKIRs in embryo implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy and also requires further investigation.

Lack of the appropriate natural killer cell inhibitory receptors in women with spontaneous abortion.

Previous studies have revealed that women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions have a limited repertoire of inhibitory KI receptors (inhKIRs) and that the inhKIRs they possess do not have specificity for the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Cw molecules that would be expressed on trophoblast. We sought to confirm these findings by direct definition of maternal inhKIR and trophoblastic HLA-Cw allotypes on the placental material of spontaneously missed pregnancies. The study included 30 women undergoing vacuum uterine curettage for first-trimester missed pregnancy (group A; n = 15) or for elective termination of normal pregnancy (group C, n = 15). DNA extracted from isolated decidual and trophoblastic cells was used for molecular detection of maternal inhKIRs (2DL1, 2DL2, 2DL3) and fetal HLA-Cw alleles, respectively. The results revealed that in the group of women who experienced abortion, 60% did not have the full repertoire of three inhKIRs (group A vs group C; p = 0.006); that in five of 15 patients (none in the controls), no epitope matching existed between maternal inhKIRs and trophoblastic HLA-Cw alleles (group A vs group C; p = 0.01); and that more cases were found with limited epitope matching (less than three inhKIRs with specificity for fetal HLA-Cw alleles). The results provide additional evidence that in some cases of spontaneous abortions, the women lack the appropriate inhKIRs to interact with the HLA-Cw molecules on trophoblasts and to deliver signals to inhibit natural killer cell activation and protect the embryo.

Implantation of MNNG crystals into a Triturus intact limb affects mitotic and labeling indices, regeneration rate, and morphogenesis in the contralateral, regenerating limb.

Experimental administration of chemical carcinogens to various mammals is highly effective in inducing malignant tumors. In contrast, treatment of regeneration-competent animals even with much higher doses of the same drugs only exceptionally leads to tumor-like growth. Usually, carcinogenic materials implanted or injected into a regenerating limb of urodele amphibia interfere with the regenerative process and frequently lead a). to growth retardation or arrest of regeneration, b). to development of a great variety of abnormal regenerates, and c). to generation of accessory, limb-like structures. Autonomous or experimental incidence of carcinogenesis is extremely low in animals endowed with strong regenerative capabilities. Of exceptional biological significance is the fact that such induced tumors usually regress spontaneously. This unique property of the regeneration-competent animals to resist carcinogenesis provides opportunities to compare non-cancerous alterations in the differentiated state of adult cells to those occurring in neoplasia. The mode of action of the chemical carcinogens on limb regeneration has not yet been clarified with certainty at the cellular and the molecular level. Several scientists claim that the above-mentioned effects might be attributed to local toxic influences of the drugs; therefore the present study was designed to investigate whether the administration of the carcinogen MNNG can affect cell proliferation, histogenesis, and morphogenesis at a region distant from the site of its implantation, even after a relatively long time period. To this end, 40 animals of the species Triturus cristatus had their right hindlimb surgically removed at the distal zeugopod. Then, a small microcrystal (approximately 5 micro g) of MNNG was inserted under the ventral aspect of the skin of the left tarsus in 20 of these animals (groups T and A; see below). Two months later, nine of the MNNG-treated animals were injected intraperitoneally with tritiated thymidine. After 2 h, six of these animals had their right hindlimb amputated at the distal zeugopod, whereas the rest were left to regenerate. The results were evaluated by camera lucida drawings, clearing in methyl benzoate, classical histology, and autoradiography. It was revealed that administration of MNNG at a somatic region (left hindlimb) reduces DNA synthesis and mitosis at a distant place (right hindlimb) even 2 months after MNNG implantation. Despite this, the rate of limb elongation is not substantially reduced. Classical histology revealed normal tissue structure throughout. All regenerated limbs displayed several teratogenic abnormalities.