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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm: comparison of pregnancy rates in couples with cervical factor, male factor, immunological factor and idiopathic infertility.

Intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm (IUI) is offered to couples with infertility due to various causes although there is no general agreement on which of these causes should be so treated. In this report 77 couples were diagnosed as having either cervical factor, male factor, immunological factor or unexplained infertility. Insemination was performed 24-32 hours after a rapid rise in the serum LH level. Two of 16 pregnancies which resulted miscarried, 1 was ectopic and the remainder were full term. Eleven occurred in the cervical factor group, 3 in the immunological factor and only 1 in each of the male factor and unexplained infertility groups. The differences in the number of pregnancies between the cervical factor and male and unexplained infertility groups are significant but not between the groups with cervical and immunological factors. The majority of pregnancies (81%) were achieved in the first 4 cycles. Patients with the cervical factor as the cause of their subfertility are likely to benefit from the IUI with their husband's sperm. The small number of patients with the immunological factor in this study does not allow for a conclusion. In our experience the male factor and unexplained infertility patients are unlikely to benefit from intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Functional loss of the transplanted kidney: immunological and non-immunological factors].

During the past few years, the short-term graft survival after kidney transplantation has improved dramatically, a phenomenon not paralleled by an increase in the long-term graft survival. This is due to the progressive renal injury and dysfunction known as chronic transplant nephropathy or 'chronic rejection', a process that involves both immune and non-immune factors. Immunological factors include T- and B-cell recognition of alloantigens, cytomegalovirus infection, and endothelial cell activation followed by vascular smooth cells proliferation. Among nonimmune mechanisms, proteinuria and hypertension play a relevant role. Moreover, the reduced number of functioning nephrons may trigger an inflammatory process that, eventually, contributes to the loss of the graft. Several studies have documented the efficacy of blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in reducing proteinuria and preventing renal function deterioration in experimental models of chronic rejection. Early results are promising. However, available clinical trials are rather limited in terms of number of patients enrolled, consequently they cannot be considered definitive. Since several pathogenetic factors are involved in the progression of chronic transplant nephropathy, a multidrug approach with specific immunosuppressants and RAS-blocking drugs has been proposed to control/prevent chronic injury and progressive renal deterioration. Preliminary results in experimental models are promising. Data from prospective clinical trials are, however, mandatory to confirm the efficacy of a polypharmacological strategy in preventing chronic rejection.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1982

Puva photohyposensitization in polymorphous light eruptions: evaluation of systemic immunological factors.

Systemic immunological parameters were monitored in 26 polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) patients prior to, during and after photochemotherapy by either an oral or topical (bath) regimen. Pre-therapy investigations showed a normal immune status as regards the numbers of peripheral T-cells as well as the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to PHA, ConA and PPD. Measurement of the immunological parameters after four PUVA exposures revealed a statistically significant increase in the lymphocyte PHA responses. After the completion of a PUVA course of some 20 irradiations, normalized PHA responses were found. The total lymphocyte count increased slightly during the treatment but the relative numbers of T- and B-cells changed very little. The immunological changes observed were of only moderate strength and it remains doubtful whether they play any major role in the hyposensitizing effect of PUVA irradiations in PMLE.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human reproductive failure I: immunological factors.

Human reproductive failure may be a consequence of aberrant expression of immunological factors during pregnancy. Although the relative importance of immunological factors in human reproduction remains controversial, substantial evidence suggests that human leukocyte antigens (HLA), antisperm antibodies, integrins, the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), cytokines, antiphospholipid antibodies, endometrial adhesion factors, mucins (MUC1) and uterine natural killer cells contribute to reproductive failure. In contrast, fewer data support the roles of anti-trophoblast antibodies, anti-endometrial antibodies, T-cells, peripheral natural killer cells, anti-HLA antibodies, blocking antibodies and suppressor cells in reproductive failure. Although immunological factors involved in reproductive failure have been studied traditionally using assays for antibodies and/or antigens, detailed research on these factors demonstrates conflicting results in humans. Maternal and fetal immunology is also difficult to investigate in humans. For these reasons, molecular assays may serve as a valuable alternative to investigate how the immune system affects reproductive outcome. In Part I of this review, immunological factors involved in human reproductive failure are summarized and critically evaluated. Immunogenetic and interacting factors in human reproductive failure will be summarized and evaluated in Part II.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1995

Murine tumorlytic factor, immunologically distinct from tumor necrosis factor-alpha and -beta, induced in the serum of mice treated with a T-cell mitogen of Corynebacterium kutscheri.

Murine tumorlytic factor (TF), immunologically distinct from murine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and -beta, was purified to a homogeneity from the serum of mice injected with a T-cell mitogen of Corynebacterium kutscheri. The treated mouse serum was purified by Lentil lectin-Sepharose chromatography, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, preparative isoelectric focusing, and high-pressure liquid chromatography to the specific activity of 1.5 x 10(6) U/mg protein. TF was 42 kDa in its oligomeric form and 14 kDa in its monomeric form. TF activity was not impaired with hamster monoclonal antibody (mAb) to recombinant murine TNF-alpha and -beta and, reciprocally, rabbit antibody to TF neutralized the bioactivity of neither murine TNF-alpha nor -beta. TF was not precipitated with the mAb to murine TNF-alpha and -beta in Western blot analysis. The partial amino acid sequence of TF was at most 33% homologous to the 46-63 sequence of mouse TNF-beta. Thus, these results suggest that TF might be a novel tumorlytic factor which is immunologically distinct from mouse TNF-alpha and -beta.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

[Immunologic factors in habitual abortion].

Recent advances in immunology have discovered two immunological factors in part of the patients with habitual first-trimester abortions. Antibody formation against the major histocompatibility antigens (HLA = human leukocyte antigen) which can be demonstrated during normal pregnancy is often not detectable in these patients, sometimes presumably because of compatibility in the HLA antigens between mother and fetus. In a high percentage of these patients immunotherapy by subcutaneous leukocyte injections can lead to antibody formation and successful pregnancy. As another immunological factor, a genetic variant of the complement-inactivating leukocyte differentiation antigen CD46 (= TLX antigen, = membrane cofactor protein) could be identified, which can be seen more frequently in patients with habitual abortions as compared to healthy controls. Both factors seem just to contribute to a predisposition for early-pregnancy abortions rather than to be an absolute barrier, as they can also be seen in normal pregnancy and successful carriages can also occur without any therapy in early-pregnancy aborters with an immunological background.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed2002

Clinical and immunological factors associated with low lacrimal and salivary flow rate in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study which clinical and immunological factors may be associated with low salivary and lacrimal flow in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Are the lacrimal and salivary flows influenced by age of the patient, age at diagnosis, disease duration, or findings in the biopsies of the minor salivary glands, or are immunological factors of importance for reduced flow rates? METHODS: In total 72 patients (mean age 57 yrs and disease duration 13.5 yrs) with primary SS diagnosed according to the European classification criteria were evaluated objectively by serological testing and by measures of exocrine gland function, such as unstimulated whole saliva collection (UWSC) and by Schirmer I test. RESULTS: Salivary flow (UWSC) in 72 patients with primary SS correlated to the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) (r = -0.32, p = 0.006) and to anti-SSA/SSB (r = -0.31, p = 0.010). No such correlation was seen for the lacrimal flow, and there was no mutual correlation between lacrimal and salivary flow. UWSC was significantly lower in patients with anti-SSA versus those without anti-SSA (1.63 ml vs 2.63 ml; p < 0.007), while such a significant difference was not observed in the presence versus absence of anti-SSB. The salivary and lacrimal flow was not significantly affected by age of the patient, and did not correlate to age at diagnosis, sex, disease duration, rheumatoid factor finding, or findings in minor salivary gland biopsies. CONCLUSION: Salivary flow in patients with primary SS was negatively correlated with immunological factors such as ANA and anti-SSA/SSB, in contrast to low lacrimal flow, where no such correlation was seen. There was no association of lacrimal and salivary flow with age of patient, age at diagnosis, disease duration, and findings in minor salivary gland biopsies. The results indicate that reduced salivary flow is closely associated with immunological factors, and is not associated with the age of the patient or infiltration of lymphocytes in salivary glands.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Immunological factors in organ transplantation.

Several immunological factors affect the outcome of human kidney transplants. HLA-A, -B and -DR matching improves kidney graft survival rate, especially matching for HLA-DR antigens. The beneficial effect of pretransplant blood transfusion has been confirmed although the mechanisms of the beneficial effect are not clear. Donor specific transfusion prior to living related donor kidney transplantation improve graft survival but some 30% of potential recipients become sensitized to the donor during the transfusion process. Major improvements in the results of organ transplantation have been achieved during the past few years with the use of new immunosuppressive agents, namely cyclosporin and monoclonal antibodies reacting with T lymphocytes. Both agents act selectively on T lymphocytes. However, nephrotoxicity of cyclosporin may limit its use.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1999

Mastitis and immunological factors in breast milk of human immunodeficiency virus-infected women.

Human milk contains important immunological factors that protect the breast from infection and are thought to protect infants from infection, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Human milk immunological factors have not been well characterized in HIV-infected lactating women. Lysozyme, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), sodium (an indicator of mastitis), and HIV were measured in breast milk of 334 HIV-infected women at 6 weeks postpartum. Women with mastitis, as indicated by elevated breast milk sodium concentrations, had higher median levels lysozyme (290 vs 221 mg/L, p < 0.04), SLPI (38 vs 19 mg/L, p < 0.0001) and HIV (920 copies/mL vs undetectable, p < 0.0001) compared with women without mastitis. Lower total plasma carotenoid levels (p < 0.02) and higher maternal HIV load (p < 0.006) by quartile were risk factors for mastitis. Mastitis, as indicated by elevated breast milk sodium levels, is associated with high concentrations of immunological factors and higher HIV load in breast milk.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Investigation on immunological factors of non- and low-responders to hepatitis B vaccine].

We investigated the immunological factors concerning the backgrounds of non- and low-responders who could not respond well to the hepatitis B (HB) vaccine. We injected 10 micrograms of the recombinant HB vaccine to the medical staffs of our hospital intramuscularly three times, 199 subjects of whom could receive the full course of immunization with the HB surface (HBs) antigen. We found that 14 subjects were non-responders whose titer of HBs antibody was under the 1.9 cut off index (C.I.) examined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and 47 ones were low-responders whose titers were between 2.0 to 9.9 C.I. and the frequency of non- and low-responders was higher in males after the full course of HB vaccination. We chose 46 subjects and divided them into 4 groups according to the titer of HBs antibody at 8 and 28 weeks. We compared those groups to each other according to the amounts of total protein, gamma-globulin, IgG, IgA and IgM, numbers of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocytes, and percentages of peripheral lymphocyte and subsets of T cell including the examination by two-color flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. However we could not get any significant difference in any of those immunological factors by T assay. From these findings we suggest that the response to the HB vaccine does not depend on the quantity of the immunological factors before vaccination but on specific reactivity to HBs antigen after vaccination.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

An immunoperoxidase study of immunological factors in skin lesions across the spectrum of leprosy.

The immunoperoxidase technique was used to assess the quantity and situation of various immunological factors in 24 skin biopsies which represented the leprosy spectrum from TT to LL. The factors were immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM), complement components (C3, C3d and Clq), plasminogen, muramidase (lysozyme), C-reactive protein and alpha-1-antitrypsin. The results were compared with previous reports on the assessment of these factors in serum. The quantities of these factors in the lesions produced peaks at TT and LL, with a dip in the BT-BB region (C-reactive protein and alpha-1-antitrypsin excepted). The immunoglobulins, present mainly in plasma cells and lymphocytes, correlated in general with reports of serum levels. The complement components were present in appreciable amounts, though the serum levels are depressed; they were seen in young mononuclear cells with a low bacterial load. All factors produced an ascending gradient in active lesions from BT to BL or LL, which correlated with the bacterial load and its viability. In regression (studied only in LL) there was a decrease in all factors. In TT there was an increase in most factors which did not correlate with the antigen load, and which probably resulted in an excess of antibody over antigen. In active LL there is probably an antigen excess. The results suggest the possibility that there is a common defect from BT to LL, in which the generation of immunological factors within the lesion of immunological factors within the lesion is a secondary response to the antigenic load. In TT alone (a rare group) is there an enhanced immunological response unrelated to the antigen load. In support of this was the finding of Ia antigen only in TT lesions.

Complement System Proteins↗
PubMed2002

Mortality after kidney transplant failure: the impact of non-immunologic factors.

BACKGROUND: One third of cadaveric kidney transplant recipients suffer graft loss within five years of transplantation. Non-immunologic factors that predict mortality among non-transplant patients also may be potentially modifiable risk factors for mortality among patients with transplant failure. METHODS: Applying multivariate survival analysis to data from the United States Renal Data System, we determined the effect of immunologic or transplant related factors and non-immunologic factors on mortality in patients who initiated dialysis after kidney transplant failure in the United States between April 1995 and September 1998. RESULTS: A total of 4741 patients were followed for a median +/- standard deviation of 15 +/- 11 months after initiation of dialysis after transplant failure. The majority of the 1016 (21%) deaths were due to cardiac (36%) or infectious (17%) causes. Patients in the following groups had an increased risk for all-cause mortality: older patients [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.04 per year, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.03-1.04], women (HR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.10-1.56), patients of white race (HR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.32-2.84), patients with diabetes (HR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.43-2.16), peripheral vascular disease (HR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.54-2.43), congestive heart failure (HR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.05-1.53), drug use (HR = 2.23; 95% CI 1.08-4.60), smokers (HR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.01-1.81), first transplant recipients (HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.02-1.69), and patients with a higher glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at dialysis initiation (HR = 1.04 per mL/min higher, 95% CI 1.02-1.06). Those with private insurance (HR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.93) and higher serum albumin (HR = 0.73 per g/dL higher, 95% CI 0.64-0.83) had a decreased risk for all-cause mortality. Acute rejection, antibody induction, donor source, duration of graft survival and the maximum attained GFR during transplantation did not predict all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Non-immunologic factors predicted mortality among patients with transplant failure but immunologic and transplant related factors did not. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of co-morbid conditions and the complications of chronic kidney disease may improve the survival of patients with transplant failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Immunological factors and post coital test in unexplained infertility.

Twenty-four couples facing longstanding primary or secondary infertility underwent semen analysis, PCT, functional evaluation of menstrual cycle, hysterosalpingography and laparscopy. All clinical findings were normal with the exception of PCT which was positive in 13 and negative in 11. All the women underwent a multiple approach investigation of local and circulating antibodies production as well as cell-mediated immunity against live spermatozoa. Sperm Immobilization Test (SIT) and Spermatotoxicity Tests (STT) were performed in a single experimental design on cervical mucus and blood serum. Leucocyte Migration Inhibition Test in presence of sperms (LMIT) was done on peripheral leucocytes. Local antispermatic activity in the cervical mucus was negative in all PCT positive cases, and positive in six out of 11 PCT negative cases. SIT and STT were both positive in cervical mucus and in blood in one case only. No correlation could be found between PCT and serum SIT, STT or LMIT. The fertility pattern expressed by the number of pregnancies per years of exposure, already low in the whole group, was even lower in the sub-groups with positive immunological factors. Positive immunological factors do not exclude the possibility of conception but appear to be associated with a reduced rate of conception.

Cell Migration Inhibition↗
PubMed1991

[The role of immunological factors in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis].

Immunological factors seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is a multifactorial chronic disease. It was demonstrated on animals that antibodies, immune complexes and cells may be the reason why the immunological damage in the vascular wall appears and may lead in consequence to the development of atherosclerotic changes. Immunological mechanisms of atherosclerosis are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Relationship between postoperative prognosis and preoperative immunological factors in aortitis syndrome].

Valve detachment or pseudoaneurysm is a well known complication of surgical treatment for cardiovascular disease due to aortitis syndrome. Although the preoperative management of inflammation by steroid therapy is very important, occasionally, the operation in active phase might be recommended because of progressive heart failure or impending rupture of aortic aneurysm. The pathology of aortitis syndrome is related to immunological abnormality, but there has been little information concerning the immunological factors. In order to evaluate the relationship between immunological factors and surgical results in patients with aortitis syndrome, immunological examination was obtained before surgery in 12 patients. Cardiovascular lesions due to aortitis syndrome were aortic regurgitation in 6 patients, annuloaortic ectasia in 1 patient, aortic arch aneurysm in 1 patient, mitral regurgitation in 2 patients, and coronary artery disease in 2 patients. Hospital mortality including initial operative death was not found. However, 6 late death (50%) occurred at late time with the mean of 23.8 months because of severe complications such as valve detachement or pseudoaneurysm after operation. In a comparison of the preoperative immunological values between survival group and late death group, immunoglobulins such as IgG, IgA, C3 and C4 were significantly higher in late death group. According to the recurrence of inflammation, the patients were divided into three groups. Group A included 3 patients who remains in active phase after initial operation in active phase. Group B included 3 patients who changed to active phase after initial operation in inactive phase. Group C included 6 patients who remains in inactive phase after initial operation. In a comparison among 3 groups, IgG and C4 showed no significant difference. However, IgA and C3 of group C were significantly lowest among three groups. This outcome is considered to be related to existence of latent inflammation. At operation, insertion of rigid prosthesis to fragile position due to latent inflammation may stimulate immunological reactions. We conclude that the preoperative values of the immunological factors, especially IgA and C3, are reliable predictors in postoperative prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Immunological factors influencing renal graft survival.

The results of clinical renal transplantation are determined mainly by immunological factors, the most important of which are compatibility for the HLA chromosomes and pretransplant blood transfusions. Other factors include HLA matching in cadaver transplantation, compatibility for the Lewis blood group system, and sensitization to lymphocyte panels or to endothelial-monocyte antigens. Performance of the previous graft is the most reliable predictor of success in recipients of retransplants. Because several immunological factors may interact, multiple variables must be considered simultaneously.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed2006

Immunological factors and their role in the genesis and development of endometriosis.

The article presents an overview of immunological factors and their role in the genesis and development of endometriosis, with emphasis on inflammatory cytokines and growth and adhesion factors. Although retrograde menstruation is a common phenomenon among women of reproductive age, not all women with retrograde menstruation suffer the disease. Development of endometriosis seems to be a complex process, facilitated by several factors, including quantity and quality of endometrial cells in peritoneal fluid (PF), increased inflammatory activity in PF, increased endometrial-peritoneal adhesion and angiogenesis, reduced immune surveillance and clearance of endometrial cells, and increased production of autoantibodies against endometrial cells. Potential biomarkers like cytokines and autoantibodies, upregulated during development of endometriosis, seem useful in the development of a non-surgical diagnostic tool. In this review work, the immune role in endometriosis is examined through the role of immunological factors in the genesis and development of the disease. Furthermore, it could be concluded that, although endometriosis can be treated using hormonal suppression, there is a need today for non-hormonal drugs, probably to modulate immune function, in order to confront the disease and alleviate pain or infertility without inhibition of ovulation.

Ascitic Fluid↗