Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein gene expression in recurrent aborters: a potential correlation to interleukin-10 expression.
OBJECTIVE
The expression of the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) genes in the uterine endometrium of women experiencing recurrent first-trimester abortions, and potential correlations to cytokine expression were examined.


METHODS
Endometrial RNA, isolated from women with a history of either repetitive first-trimester pregnancy losses or uncomplicated pregnancies, was isolated and analyzed for PSG transcripts by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. PSG genes showing different patterns of expression were expressed in baculovirus, and the purified proteins examined for their effects on cytokine expression.


RESULTS
The expression of PSG11 in the endometria of recurrent aborters was significantly lower than in that of controls (P < 0.01). When tested on monocytes, PSG11 stimulated secretion of interleukin (IL)-10.


CONCLUSIONS
The level of expression of the PSG11 gene in the uterine endometrium, during the peri-implantation period, correlates with the risk of pregnancy loss in some women experiencing recurrent spontaneous abortions. The ability of PSG11 to influence the secretion of IL-10 suggests that PSG11 may contribute to the local modulation of the inflammatory T helper-1 response seen in the endometrium of these women.
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011268:Pregnancy-Specific beta 1-Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology