title: GM-CSF and pregnancy: evidence of significantly reduced blood concentrations in unexplained recurrent abortion efficiently reverted by intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Certain Th-2 cytokines and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are propitious for the success of pregnancy and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is often characterized by a failure of Th-2 type responses. These considerations as well as the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in RSA induced us to evaluate the levels of GM-CSF in normal pregnancies, in pregnant women affected with unexplained RSA and the effects of IVIg treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood free GM-CSF was measured by means of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay in 39 healthy women (13 non-pregnant, 26 pregnant) and in 53 RSA patients (11 non-pregnant, 42 pregnant). In 14 pregnant RSA patients GM-CSF was studied also after the very first IVIg infusion (0.5 g/kg body weight).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In healthy women we found a significant increase of GM-CSF during pregnancy, in pregnant RSA patients such an increase was not detected. After IVIg, GM-CSF concentrations were almost doubled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GM-CSF is found increased in normal pregnancy and is very low during pregnancy in RSA. IVIg infusions are capable of increasing GM-CSF in pregnant recurrent aborters.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. roberto.perricone@uniroma2.it
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Perricone
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: De Carolis
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Giacomelli
authors: Maria D
authors: MD
authors: Guarino
authors: Giuliana
authors: G
authors: De Sanctis
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Fontana
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor