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- Matthiesen, Leif, 1954-, et al.
(författare)
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In-situ detection of both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells during pregnancy
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - 0165-0378 .- 1872-7603. ; 58:1, s. 49-59
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Local and possibly systemic curtailment of the maternal immune response is important for a successful pregnancy. Although the local milieu at the utero-placental interface is likely to harbor the most prominent alterations, it is suggested, at least in mice, that systemic immunity is also tolerized during pregnancy. In the present study, we investigated mRNA expression of the key immunomodulatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a and interferon (IFN)-? during normal pregnancy. Material and methods: In-situ hybridization (ISH) of cytokine mRNA in resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was used to detect the number of cells spontaneously expressing cytokines. Eleven women with normal gestations were followed during pregnancy as well as 8 weeks postpartum, and compared with 10 non-pregnant healthy controls. Results: The numbers of IFN-? and IL-4 mRNA expressing cells were found to be significantly increased during pregnancy and postpartum compared with non-pregnant controls. Pregnant women and non-pregnant controls did not differ in their expression of TNF-a and IL-10. Conclusion: Our studies demonstrated increased numbers of both IFN-? and IL-4 mRNA expressing cells in blood suggesting that systemic immunomodulation, albeit partial, takes place during normal pregnancy. It is proposed that enhanced IL-4 expression, possibly in concert with other elevated anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory cytokines, curtail the potentially hazardous effects of IFN-? on systemic immunity during pregnancy.
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- Brännström, Mats, 1958, et al.
(författare)
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Leukocyte networks and ovulation.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of reproductive immunology. - 0165-0378. ; 57:1-2, s. 47-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ovulation, the process whereby the oocyte is expelled from the interior of the follicle, is the final process of folliculogenesis. During the last decade, data have accumulated to suggest that tissue-bound leukocytes are major effector cells in several physiological processes within the reproductive tract. Some specific subclasses of leukocytes seem to be critically involved in the process of ovulation. The main components of this ovulatory process are degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) at the follicular apex and changes in the follicular vasculature. The leukocytes participate actively in these events by secretion of proteases and vasoactive substances. This review covers our current understanding of the mechanisms by which the leukocytes are attracted to the preovulatory follicle after the LH-surge and the roles that the activated leukocytes play in the follicle during the ovulatory period.
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