Soluble MHC Class I chain-related molecule serum levels are predictive markers of implantation failure and successful term pregnancies following IVF.
BACKGROUND
Despite ongoing progresses of IVF techniques, biomarkers predicting their outcome prior to IVF initiation are lacking. We investigated whether serum levels of the stress-inducible soluble major histocompatibility complex Class I chain-related molecule, MICA, (sMIC), a regulator of cellular immunity, can be predictive of implantation or pregnancy failure after IVF.


METHODS
sMIC serum levels, evaluated during the follicular phase of the cycle preceding in vitro fertilization, in a cohort of 170 infertile women with 22.3% IVF success rate were analyzed in association with implantation/pregnancy failure or live birth outcomes after IVF.


RESULTS
sMIC serum levels, detected in 38% of all women undergoing IVF, were shown to be predictive both of implantation failure (> or = 2.45 ng/ml cut off, odds ratio (OR) = 4.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08 - 19.79; P = 0.031) and successful pregnancy (< 2.45 ng/ml, OR = 13.8; 95% CI = 2.03-118.3; P = 0.002). When successful implantation occurred, sMIC levels > 3.2 ng/ml were predictive of spontaneous abortion (OR = 35; 95% CI = 1.74-703; P = 0.026).


CONCLUSIONS
sMIC is thus to be considered as a novel blood biomarker which, when quantified prior to initiation of IVF, anticipates chances for infertile women to give birth to a viable baby. Considering medical and psychological cost of IVF, this non-invasive assay may thus contribute to better counseling, treatment and care of infertile couples prior to IVF.
Porcu-Buisson
Géraldine
G
Medical Reproduction Institute, 6 rue François Rocca, 13008 Marseille, France.
Lambert
Marion
M
Lyonnet
Luc
L
Loundou
Anderson
A
Gamerre
Marc
M
Camoin-Jau
Laurence
L
Dignat-George
Francoise
F
Caillat-Zucman
Sophie
S
Paul
Pascale
P
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005498:Follicular Phase; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C099187:MHC class I-related chain A