Systemic reduction of soluble complement receptor II/CD21 during pregnancy to levels reminiscent of autoimmune disease.
Complement receptor type II/CD21 is the functional receptor for complement fragments such as C3d, iC3b and the Epstein Barr Virus. A soluble form of CD21 (sCD21) is shed from lymphocytes surface and is able to bind to its ligands found in the plasma. The amount of sCD21 in serum may modulate immunity as the plasma levels are correlated with autoimmune conditions, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjoegren's Syndrome. Because of the fact that pregnancy may lead to remission of autoimmune diseases we determined the serum levels of sCD21 during pregnancy and postpartum. The serum sCD21 levels during pregnancy are significantly lower as compared to that of the healthy controls. There were no significant differences in sCD21 levels between the mother and the cord blood also immediately after parturition. Restoration of sCD21 levels to normal values takes between 6 weeks and 1 year after childbirth. Our study indicates that CD21-shedding is affected during pregnancy comparable to that of autoimmunity.
Masilamani
Madhan
M
Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Rajasekaran
Narendiran
N
Singh
Anjana
A
Low
Hui-Zhi
HZ
Albus
Kerstin
K
Anders
Swantje
S
Behne
Frank
F
Eiermann
Peter
P
König
Katharina
K
Mindnich
Clarissa
C
Ribarska
Teodora
T
Illges
Harald
H
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D017464:Receptors, Complement 3d / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D017464:Receptors, Complement 3d