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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 ≥ 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of mild physical training on the cell-mediated and humoral immune responses were studied in 18 patients with end-stage renal disease (6.5±5.2 years on hemodialysis) participating in a six month exercise renal rehabilitation program. They were matched with 14 untrained patients for sex, age, years on hemodialysis and causes of renal disease. Serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), complement components (C3, C4), interleukins IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, subpopulations of T lymphocytes and panel reactive lymphocytotoxic antibodies were determined on all patients. By the end of the study, peak aerobic capacity (VO2 peak) was significantly improved by 42% in the trained group. This improvement was followed by a non-significant increase in IgE (by 13.8%) and in IgM (by 3%) and a decrease in IgA (by 17.5%, p<0.05), while the IgG levels remained constant. In the control group, there was no change in the levels of immunoglobulins. The values of interleukins, IgG subclasses, complement, lymphocytotoxic antibodies and T lymphocyte subsets remained almost unchanged in both groups. Finally, during the study, common upper respiratory infections were more often in the controls (58%), than in the trained patients (31%). The results suggest that physical training improves clinically the immune defense mechanisms in hemodialysis patients, although it does not significantly change cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]