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Problem: T‐cells are key players in fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The checkpoint molecule B7‐H4, a member of the B7 family, can inhibit T‐cell activation and proliferation by inhibiting NF‐kb expression. We aimed to elucidate the immunological role of soluble B7‐H4 (sB7‐H4) and B7‐H4 in pregnant women suffered from an acute Sars‐Cov2 infection. Methods: Expression levels of sB7‐H4 and cytokines were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. B7‐H4 and cytokines mRNA expression was analyzed by qPCR, and B7‐H4 and NF‐κb (p65) protein levels were investigated by western blot and immunofluorescence staining in placenta chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissues of COVID‐19 affected women and healthy controls. Results: Fibrinoid necrosis in the periphery of placental villi was increased in the COVID‐19‐affected patients. sB7‐H4 protein in maternal and cord blood serum and IL‐6/IL‐10 were increased while leukocytes were decreased during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Serum sB7‐H4 level was increased according to the severity of SARS‐Cov‐2 infection. Cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐18, IL‐1β, TNF‐α), B7‐H4 mRNA and protein in the decidual basalis tissues of COVID‐19‐infected pregnant women were significantly increased compared to healthy controls. IL‐18 and IL‐1β were significantly increased in the placenta chorionic villous samples of COVID‐19 affected patients, while NF‐κb (p65) expression was decreased. Conclusions: The expression of the immunological marker sB7‐H4 correlated with the severity of COVID‐19 disease in pregnant women. sB7‐H4 and B7‐H4 can be used to monitor the progression of COVID‐19 infection during pregnancy, and for evaluating of the maternal immune status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sCEACAM1 concentrations in serum from patients in the first trimester who have a high risk for developing PE during pregnancy. Method of the study: Carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) levels were determined with ELISA. The patients (n = 109) were divided into two groups: patients who have a high risk of developing PE early‐onset and a control group. Patients who have a high risk of developing PE were then divided into two subgroups depending on PE development in third trimester of pregnancy: PE in third trimester versus no PE in third trimester. Results: sCEACAM1 concentrations in patients who were screened as having a high risk for developing PE were significantly higher than in healthy pregnant women in the first trimester (p =.03). The highest sCEACAM1 concentration was found in the high‐risk group with PE development compared to the control group (p =.004). Conclusion: Elevated sCEACAM1 blood serum levels in women with PE suggest that there is immune dysregulation in early pregnancy, which may be helpful in PE prediction and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem CEACAM1 and CEACAM6 belong to the carcinoembryonic antigen ( CEA) family and may play an immune-modulatory role during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine the blood serum levels of soluble CEACAM1 and CEACAM6 over the course of pregnancy and postpartum. Method of study CEACAM1 and CEACAM6 levels were determined with customized in-house Sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) systems. The study population (n=125) was divided into four groups according to the pregnancy trimester and postpartum. Additionally, samples of non-pregnant women (n=14) were analyzed. Results Serum levels of CEACAM1 in healthy pregnant women were much lower than in non-pregnant women, a difference not seen for CEACAM6. Comparison between the trimesters and postpartum revealed a significant difference in CEACAM1 serum levels. The highest CEACAM1 levels were detected in third trimester. These levels were statistically significantly different from the CEACAM1 levels in first trimester and second trimester. The lowest levels were observed in the second trimester. Postpartum CEACAM1 serum concentrations were slightly lower than in the third trimester, but higher than in the first trimester and significantly higher compared to levels in the second trimester. Conclusion Decreased concentration of CEACAM1 during the pregnancy suggests its regulatory role in the immune tolerance during the course of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem B7-H4, a transmembrane protein that negatively regulates T lymphocytes, seems to play a role in the suppression of the im\mune response at the maternal-fetal interface. The aim of this study was to compare the blood serum concentration levels of soluble B7-H4 ( sB7-H4) prepartal and postpartal in both women who experienced spontaneous onset of labor and those who underwent elective cesarian section. Method of study Blood was obtained from 30 prepartal and postpartal women who delivered at the University Hospital of Essen between 2011 and 2012. These patients were further divided into two subgroups depending on the advancement of labor. The sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels of the women in the groups were then determined by ELISA ( BIOZOL, Eching, Germany). Results In women who underwent elective cesarian section, a significant increase in sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels occurred postpartal, while in women who experienced spontaneous onset of labor, no differences between prepartal and postpartal concentration levels were observed. The sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels on the day after delivery in the women who experienced spontaneous labor and those who underwent elective cesarian section were comparable; however, higher blood serum concentration levels of sB7-H4 were observed prepartal in women with spontaneous onset of labor compared to those found in the women about to undergo elective cesarian section. Conclusion These changes in sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels suggest that this protein is involved in immunological changes associated with the spontaneous onset of labor and post-delivery homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]