Reproductive actions of prolactin mediated through short and long receptor isoforms

Prolactin (PRL) is a polypeptide hormone with a wide range of physiological functions, and is critical for female reproduction. PRL exerts its action by binding to membrane bound receptor isoforms broadly classified as the long form and the short form receptors. Both receptor isoforms are highly expressed in the ovary as well as in the uterus. Although signaling through the long form is believed to be more predominant, it remains unclear whether activation of this isoform alone is sufficient to support reproductive functions or whether both types of receptor are required. The generation of transgenic mice selectively expressing either the short or the long form of PRL receptor has provided insight into the differential signaling mechanisms and physiological functions of these receptors. This review describes the essential finding that both long and short receptor isoforms are crucial for ovarian functions and female fertility, and highlights novel mechanisms of action for these receptors.     

The immune response to malaria in utero

Malaria causes tremendous early childhood morbidity and mortality, providing an urgent impetus for the development of a vaccine that is effective in neonates. However, the infant immune response to malaria may be influenced by events that occur well before birth. Placental malaria infection complicates one quarter of all pregnancies in Africa and frequently results in exposure of the fetus to malaria antigens in utero, while the immune system is still developing. Some data suggest that in utero exposure to malaria may induce immunologic tolerance that interferes with the development of protective immunity during childhood. More recently, however, a growing body of evidence suggests that fetal malaria exposure can prime highly functional malaria-specific T- and B-cells, which may contribute to postnatal protection from malaria. In utero exposure to malaria also impacts the activation and maturation of fetal antigen presenting cells and innate lymphocytes, which could have implications for global immunity in the infant. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how various components of the fetal immune system are altered by in utero exposure to malaria, discuss factors that may tilt the critical balance between tolerance and adaptive immunity, and consider the implications of these findings for malaria prevention strategies.     

Toxic and therapeutic effects of Nifurtimox and Benznidazol on Trypanosoma cruzi ex vivo infection of human placental chorionic villi explants

Nifurtimox (Nfx) and Benznidazole (Bnz) are the only available drugs in use for the treatment of Chagas disease. These drugs are recommended but not fully validated in evidence-based medicine and reports about the differential toxicity of both drugs are controversial. Here, we evaluated the toxic and therapeutic effects of Nfx and Bnz on human placental chorionic villi explants (HPCVE) during ex vivo infection of Trypanosoma cruzi, performing histopathological, histochemical, immunohistochemical as well as immunofluorescence analysis of the tissue. Additionally, we determined the effect of both drugs on parasite load by real time PCR. Bnz prevents the parasite induced tissue damage in ex vivo infected HPCVE compared to Nfx, which is toxic per se. The presence of T. cruzi antigens and DNA in infected explants suggests that these drugs do not impair parasite invasion into the HPCVE. Additionally, our results confirm reports suggesting that Bnz is less toxic than Nfx and support the need for the development of more effective and better-tolerated drugs.     

孕晚期母体血清IL-2、sIL-2R、P-LAP联合检测对早产的预测价值

目的探讨孕晚期母体血清白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、可溶性白细胞介素2受体(s IL-2R)、胎盘亮氨酸氨基肽酶(P-LAP)联合检测对早产的预测价值。方法回顾性分析2018年1月至2019年1月于我院分娩的356例产妇的临床资料,根据是否早产将其分为早产组(48例,分娩时孕周<37周)与非早产组(308例,分娩时孕周≥37周),产妇均于孕晚期检测血清IL-2、s IL-2R、P-LAP水平,并随访至分娩。比较两组产妇的血清IL-2、s IL-2R、P-LAP水平,并分析血清IL-2、s IL-2R、P-LAP联合检测对早产的预测效能。结果早产组血清IL-2、s IL-2R水平显著高于非早产组,血清P-LAP水平显著低于非早产组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)显示,血清IL-2、s IL-2R、P-LAP联合检测预测早产的特异度和AUC均高于血清IL-2、s IL-2R、P-LAP单独预测。结论早产产妇孕晚期母体血清IL-2、s IL-2R、P-LAP水平存在异常情况,三者联合检测可作为早产的有效预测方式。     

Comprehensive 4-year follow-up on a case of maternal heterodisomy for chromosome 16

Uniparental disomy for chromosome 16 has been previously identified in fetal deaths and newborn infants with limited follow-up. Thus there is a lack of information about the long-term effects of maternal uniparental disomy 16 on growth and development. We present a case of maternal heterodisomy for chromosome 16 and a comprehensive 4-year physical and cognitive evaluation. Cytogenetic analysis of chorionic villus obtained at 10 weeks gestation for advanced maternal age showed trisomy 16. At 15 weeks, amniocentesis demonstrated low level mosaicism 47,XY,+16[1]/46,XY[25]. Decreased fetal growth was noted in the last 2 months of pregnancy and the infant was small for gestational age at birth. Molecular studies revealed only maternal alleles for chromosome 16 in a peripheral blood sample from the child, consistent with maternal uniparental heterodisomy 16. Although short stature remains a concern, there appears to be no major cognitive effects of maternal disomy 16. Clinical evaluation and follow-up on additional cases should further clarify the role of placental mosaicism and maternal disomy 16 in intrauterine growth retardation and its effects on long-term growth in childhood. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

人胎盘无细胞是悬液对骨髓造血干／祖细胞的体外扩增作用

为了探讨人胎盘无细胞悬液对骨髓造血干／祖细胞的体外扩增作用及与已知的几种细胞因子进行比较,用人胎盘无细胞悬液及ＩＬ－３,ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ,ＩＬ－３＋ＩＬ－６＋ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ＋ＦＰＯ作为刺激因子,并应用甲基纤维素半固体培养体 对骨髓ＧＭ－ＣＦＵ,ＧＭ－ＧＥＭＭ和ＢＦＵ－Ｅ进行了培养和比较,研究结果表明,人胎盘无细胞悬液对骨髓ＣＦＵ－ＧＭ,ＣＦＵ－ＧＥＭＭ和ＢＦＵ－Ｅ体外扩增最适蛋白浓度是２００－３００μｇ／Ｌ,人胎盘无细胞悬液作刺激因子对骨髓血干／祖细胞的体外扩增效果优于单独ＩＬ－３,单独ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ和ＩＬ－３＋ＩＬ－６＋ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ＋ＥＰＯ组。结论提示,人胎盘无细胞悬液可能含有多种细胞因子,用人胎盘无细胞悬液作扩增剂体外扩增骨髓造血干／祖细胞细胸具有有效而价廉的特点。