title: Increased level of antibodies cross-reacting with Ves v 5 and CRISP-2 in MAR-positive patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) have been described to be involved in immunological infertility. A possible antigen for ASA is the human cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP-2), a sperm surface protein important in sperm-oocyte interaction. Furthermore, anti-CRISP-2 antibodies were shown to decrease fertility rates in vitro. Recently, we have reported cross-reacting antibodies recognizing CRISP-2 and antigen 5 from yellow jacket venom (Ves v 5) in human serum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we investigated anti-Ves v 5 and CRISP-2 antibodies in sera from two groups of donors: MAR+ and MAR- patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher incidence of allergy against hymenoptera venom was found in MAR+ patients. Interestingly, affinity-purified ASA from MAR+ patients' sera reacted against both Ves v 5 and CRISP-2, leading to sperm immobilization. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that ASA bound to the sperm surface, including the head part where CRISP-2 is localized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, these results showed a higher incidence of antibodies cross-reacting with Ves v 5 and CRISP-2 in MAR+ patients. This leads to the hypothesis that MAR+ patients may have a higher risk to develop wasp allergy.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Immunology, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brunner-Agten
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pavlovic
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Stadler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vogel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003298:Coombs Test; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D014863:Wasps / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000906:Antibodies; C062621:CRISP2 protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006023:Glycoproteins; C431905:Ves v 5 allergen; D014862:Wasp Venoms