Immunology of Gametes And Embryo Implantation (Chemical Immunology)

Cover......Page 1
Contents......Page 6
Preface......Page 12
Introduction......Page 14
Immune Cells in the Testis......Page 15
Possible Mechanisms of Testicular Immunoregulation......Page 16
The Dual Role of Cytokines in the Testis......Page 17
Experimental Orchitis......Page 19
Inflammation of the Human Testis......Page 20
Conclusion and Outlook......Page 22
References......Page 23
Introduction......Page 27
Tests for ASA......Page 28
Analysis of Cognate Antigens of ASA and Influence on Sperm Function......Page 29
Agglutination......Page 30
Motility......Page 31
Acrosome Reaction......Page 32
Zona Binding and Zona Penetration......Page 34
Pronucleus Formation......Page 35
References......Page 36
Introduction......Page 40
Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Showing SI Activity......Page 41
Biological Function of CD52......Page 43
Conclusion......Page 44
References......Page 45
Introduction......Page 47
The (Still Mysterious!) Role of the Uterus......Page 48
Embryonic Cytokines and Implantation?......Page 49
Maintenance of the Corpus luteum in Ovine and Bovine Species: The tau-Interferons......Page 51
The Uterine Side......Page 53
LIF......Page 54
IL-6......Page 57
Th3 Cytokines: TGF-beta......Page 58
TNF......Page 59
New Cytokines: Vascularization and New Role for NKs......Page 60
References......Page 62
Introduction......Page 77
Menstrual Cycle and Immune Responses......Page 79
Peri- and Postimplantation Endometrium......Page 81
Cytokine Regulation in Women with Infertility......Page 82
Pregnancy Losses and Cytokine Networks......Page 84
Influence of Th1 and Th2 Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Pregnancy Loss......Page 86
Conclusion......Page 87
References......Page 88
Introduction......Page 93
Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor......Page 95
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor......Page 96
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor......Page 98
Tumor Necrosis Factor......Page 99
Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor......Page 100
Granulosa Colony-Stimulating Factor......Page 101
Stem Cell Factor......Page 102
References......Page 103
Introduction......Page 111
Targets for Immunological Intervention in the Female Reproductive System......Page 112
Active Immunization with ZP Glycoproteins......Page 113
Recombinant ZP Glycoproteins......Page 114
ZP Glycoprotein-Based DNA Vaccine......Page 115
ZP Glycoprotein-Based Synthetic Peptides......Page 116
Immunological Intervention at Postfertilization Stage......Page 117
Concluding Comments......Page 118
References......Page 119
Introduction......Page 122
Interferon-tau......Page 124
The Uterine Serpins......Page 125
Relevance to Other Species......Page 126
References......Page 127
Introduction......Page 130
Studies of IvIg Treatment of RM......Page 131
Patient Subsets and Treatment Protocols May Determine Outcome of IvIg Studies......Page 132
Patient Subsets......Page 133
Treatment Protocols......Page 135
Negative Aspects of IvIg Use in RM......Page 136
Conclusions......Page 138
References......Page 139
Introduction......Page 141
Symptomatology......Page 143
Predisposing Factors......Page 144
Allergens in Seminal Plasma......Page 145
Diagnosis......Page 146
Therapeutic Options......Page 148
References......Page 149
Introduction......Page 152
A Brief Historical Background......Page 153
APA sy and aPLs in Reproductive Failure......Page 154
Reproductive Failure and Neuroendocrine-Immunological Association......Page 156
Conclusion......Page 159
References......Page 160
Introduction......Page 163
Redundant Loop Oxidation/Inflammation and Autoimmunity......Page 164
Oxidative Stress......Page 166
Autoimmunity......Page 167
Gametes......Page 169
Preimplantation Embryo and Endometrium......Page 170
Concluding Remarks......Page 171
References......Page 172
Introduction......Page 176
Adhesion Molecules......Page 179
Proteases......Page 182
Hormones and Cytokines......Page 183
Transcription Factors......Page 185
References......Page 187
Introduction: Trophoblast and Tumor as Models for Comparative Investigation of Signal Transduction......Page 194
The Pathway......Page 195
Stats and Trophoblast Invasiveness......Page 198
Ras Protein-MAPK Signal-Transducing Pathway......Page 199
MAPK and Reproduction......Page 200
MAPK-Stat Interactions......Page 204
Conclusions......Page 206
References......Page 207
Author Index......Page 213
C......Page 214
I......Page 215
M......Page 216
T......Page 217
Z......Page 218