Soluble human leukocyte antigens, interleukin-6, and interferon-gamma during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
Soluble human leukocyte antigens (sHLA), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were studied during human pregnancy to test the hypothesis that sHLA concentrations are regulated by these specific cytokines.


METHODS
Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays (ELISA) were used to measure sHLA I and II in maternal circulation, cord blood, and placenta effluents of pregnant and nonpregnant women; maternal serum cytokines were also determined.


RESULTS
sHLA in maternal and cord blood were equivalent to that in the placenta. By the third trimester, sHLA I concentrations in maternal plasma were significantly reduced compared to the first or second trimesters. sHLA II was increased during the second trimester relative to that postpartum. Maternal IL-6 and IFN-gamma concentrations were not statistically different throughout gestation or postpartum.


CONCLUSIONS
These data do not suggest a role for maternal plasma IL-6 or IFN-gamma in regulation of systemic sHLA class I during pregnancy, but they do not address whether such events take place in local tissues of the maternal-fetal unit.
Russwurm
G P
GP
Department of Pathology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, CA 92350, USA.
Mackler
A M
AM
Fagoaga
O R
OR
Brown
W S
WS
Sakala
E P
EP
Yellon
S M
SM
Nehlsen-Cannarella
S L
SL
D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000097:blood; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D012995:Solubility; D013997:Time Factors
D006680:HLA Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007371:Interferon-gamma