Serum anti-endometrial antibodies in infertile women - potential risk factor for implantation failure.
OBJECTIVE
Female infertility patients with diverse etiologies show increased production of autoantibodies.


METHODS
Immunoblot analysis of sera from patients with endometriosis and tubal factor infertility (TFI) and mass spectrometry identification of candidate antigens.


RESULTS
The immunoblot results demonstrated the presence of IgA and IgG anti-endometrial antibodies (AEA) to various antigens at molecular weights ranging from 10 to 200 kDa. Differences were detected in certain AEA reactions between the patients' groups and particular AEA were associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) implantation failure. IgA AEA to a 47-kDa protein were more prevalent in TFI patients and were associated with unsuccessful IVF treatment. This antigen was subsequently identified as alpha-enolase.


CONCLUSIONS
Determination of the presence and spectra of AEA in patients with endometriosis and TFI undergoing IVF may be a useful marker to predict their pregnancy outcome.
Department of Immunology, Institute of General and Molecular Pathology, University of Tartu, Biomedicum, Estonia.
Aili
A
Sarapik
Kadri
K
Haller-Kikkatalo
Meeme
M
Utt
Kaupo
K
Teesalu
Andres
A
Salumets
Raivo
R
Uibo
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G