Influence of pregnancy on dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity (CD 26 leukocyte differentiation antigen) of circulating lymphocytes.
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD 26 leukocyte differentiation antigen) is an enzymic surface marker of a human T lymphocyte subpopulation which has been shown to be associated with their capacity to produce large amounts of interleukin 2 and proliferate strongly in response to mitogenic stimulation. The peptidase activity on the surface of purified human peripheral mononuclear cells was determined spectrophotometrically with the substrate glycyl-L-proline-4-nitroanilide. The peripheral mononuclear cells of pregnant women exhibited depressed mean dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity when compared with the activity of peripheral mononuclear cells from non-pregnant or male individuals. The gestational age (7 to 20 weeks) of the pregnant collective had no effects on peptidase levels. Women taking oral contraceptives had a slightly lower mean activity than the non-pregnant group not using contraceptives. Thus, reduced dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity of peripheral mononuclear cells might reflect impairement of cellular immunity during pregnancy.
Anatomisches Institut, Universität Kiel, Germany.
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Mentlein
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Rix-Matzen
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Tinneberg
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000097:blood*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4; D004152:Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004152:Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4