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Biomedical subjects

S Mathur

Publications and source records attributed to S Mathur.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Cytotoxic antibodies to lymphocytes: relationship to sperm immunity.

Sperm and T lymphocytes share antigens, and sera from infertile subjects with sperm immunity have agglutinating antibodies to T lymphocytes. In the present study, cytotoxic antibody titers to sperm (C-Sp) and lymphocytes (C-Ly) were measured in sera, seminal plasma, cervical mucus and vaginal secretions of 52 infertile couples. The samples were divided into C-Sp negative and C-Sp positive groups. C-Ly titers against control T lymphocytes were significantly elevated in C-Sp positive sera of 35 males (P less than 0.005) and 27 females (P less than 0.05) as compared with C-Sp negative sera. C-Ly titers against autologous or partner T lymphocytes were similarly elevated in the sera of both groups. Titers of C-Ly in C-Sp positive secretions (seminal plasma, cervical mucus and vaginal secretions) against autologous and partner, as well as control, T lymphocytes were significantly elevated. In addition, elevated titers of C-Ly to autologous, partner and control B lymphocytes were observed in sera, cervical mucus and vaginal secretions from females with sperm immunity. The infertile males, however, did not have significant B lymphocyte immunity. Immunofluorescence assays revealed a significantly higher incidence of sperm and T lymphocyte antibodies (primarily IgG) in the C-Sp positive than in the C-Sp negative group. Titration of 100 sera from infertile subjects (50 couples) against a panel of lymphocytes of known HLA specificities failed to reveal a pattern of activity against HLA antigens of the A, B and C loci. Absorption of immune sera with sperm or lymphocytes reduced C-Sp and C-Ly titers significantly (P less than 0.001). These results suggest that infertile subjects with sperm immunity produce antibodies to cross-reactive antigens present on sperm and T lymphocytes.

Animals

Association of human leukocyte antigens B7 and BW35 with sperm antibodies.

One hundred three infertile couples and 50 fertile couples were tested for the presence of sperm antibodies by passive hemagglutination and cytotoxicity assays and typed for human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) of the A and B loci. Fifty-four percent of the males and 43% of the females with sperm antibodies were found to have the HLA-B7 antigen, in contrast to 19% of a general population (P less than 0.0001). HLA-BW35 (a Workshop antigen of the B locus) was also present at a significantly increased antigenic frequency (P less than 0.00001) in those females with sperm antibodies. Of the 73 infertile couples with sperm antibodies, 79% shared the B7, B8, and/or BW35 alleles. Two of 12 infertile couples and 10 of 50 fertile couples without sperm antibodies shared these alleles. The significant association of HLA-B7 and BW35 alleles with sperm antibodies in infertile subjects suggests a selective disadvantage of these antigens in human reproduction.

Adult

Fetal cytotoxic antibodies to maternal T-lymphocytes: a possible mechanisms for maternal tolerance of the fetal allograft.

The absolute numbers of B lymphocytes and of total and "active" T lymphocytes in peripheral venous blood (Mv) from 15 females at the time of normal term deliveries were found to be significantly less (p less than 0.001) than in the fetal umbilical vein (Uv) or artery (Ua) or in the peripheral blood of 75 normal nonpregnant controls (Cv), suggesting that maternal cellular immunity at term is lowered. In 19 umbilical artery samples, titers of lymphocytotoxic antibodies (Cyt), expressed as the mean log of reciprocal titer values, were significantly higher (p less than 0.01 in each case)( than in matched maternal samples, against the following cell types: Maternal T cells (7.1 in Ua vs 1.21 in Mv sera); maternal B cells (3.23 vs 1.58); T cells (4.41 vs 1.38) but not B cells from other females at delivery; autologous T cells (2.9 vs 1.0); autologous B cells (1.88 vs 0.69); T (5.39 vs 0.81) and B (2.80 vs 1.25) cells from the paired Uv; T (3.78 vs 0.62) and B (2.64 vs 0.77) cells from the Uv of other newborn infants; and T (4.19 vs 2.0) but not B cells from controls (Cv). The highest Cyt titers in the umbilical artery samples were against maternal T lymphocytes. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that the Cyt antibodies were primarily IgG. Absorption of 13 other Ua sera with maternal T cells eliminated with Cyt activity against both Mv and Cv T cells; absorption with Cv T cells eliminated the reaction against Cv T while reducing cyt titres to Mv T lymphocytes. We conclude that the fetus produces lymphocytotoxic antibody specifically directed against maternal T lymphocytes, in addition to antibody against T lymphocytes of other adults.

Adult

Autoimmunity to endometrium and ovary in endometriosis.

Antibody titres to whole ovary, theca cells, granulosa cells and endometrium were determined by passive haemagglutination and immunofluorescence assays in sera and in cervical and vaginal secretions from 13 patients with endometriosis. Antibody titres to endometrium (mean log2 +/- s.e.m., 7.08 +/- 0.80; P less than 0.0001), ovary (3.58 +/- 0.87; P = 0.0092), theca cells (4.42 +/- 0.73; P less than 0.0001) and granulosa cells (3.33 +/- 0.63; P = 0.0024) were significantly higher in the patients' sera than in sera from 15 normal non-pregnant females. Antibody titres to granulosa cells were elevated (7.97 +/- 1.46; P = 0.0424) in their cervical secretions. Antibody titres to all tissues tested were similar in vaginal secretions of patients and controls. Immunofluorescent antibody assay of biopsied endometrial tissue and sera from the patients revealed the antibodies to be primarily IgG and IgA. The results suggest that autoantibodies to endometrium and ovary are present in patients with endometriosis.

Adult

Immunoglobulin E levels and antisperm antibody titers in infertile couples.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and antisperm antibody titers were determined in samples of serum and seminal plasma from 25 fertile men (Group A), 18 infertile men without measurable immunity to sperm (Group B), and 42 infertile men autoimmune to sperm (Group C), and in samples of serum and cervical and vaginal secretions from 25 fertile women (Group D), 28 infertile women without measurable immunity to sperm (Group E), and 32 infertile women isoimmune to sperm (Group F). Among the men, IgE levels in the serum, measured in international units per milliliter, were elevated in Group C (230 +/- 41, mean +/- SEM) as compared with Groups B (94 +/- 33, P less than 0.05) and A (55 +/- 8, P less than 0.001). In contrast, IgE levels in the seminal plasma in Group C (180 +/- 44) were not significantly different from those in Group B (48 +/- 21), but were higher than those in Group A (8 +/- 2, P less than 0.05). In the women, serum IgE levels were higher (P less than 0.001) in Group F, with isoimmunity to sperm (472 +/- 55), than in Groups E (219 +/- 32) and D (76 +/- 16). Wives of autoimmune husbands had somewhat, though not significantly, higher serum IgE levels (406 +/- 55), than had wives of nonautoimmune husbands (247 +/- 97). These results provide evidence for an elevated IgE response in subjects with significantly elevated antisperm antibody titers.

Antibodies

Cross-reactivity of sperm and T lymphocyte antigens.

Evidence is presented for cross-reactivity between antigens on human sperm and T lymphocytes. In 25 infertile couples in which both the males and females had significant antisperm immunity, antibody (Ab) titers to thymocytes (mean +/- S.E.M. 159 +/- 4 and 72 +/- 14, respectively, in males and females), T cell lines CCRF-CEM (69 +/- 5 and 48 +/- 8) and HSB-2 (56 +/- 15) and 41 +/- 8), suppressor-enriched (TG) cells (26 +/- 6 and 66 +/- 28) and helper-enriched (TG-) cells (26 +/- 4 and 46 +/- 14) were significantly elevated, as compared with Ab titers in 45 normal males and 45 normal females without antisperm immunity. Antibody titers to adult B cells, B cell line RAJI, and granulocytes were similar in the two groups. Antisperm Ab titers in sera, sperm extracts, and seminal plasma of the infertile subjects were significantly reduced after absorption with sperm, thymocytes, or T cell line CCRF-CEM but not with the B cell line RAJI. Antithymocyte Ab titers in the sera were significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) after absorption with thymocytes, CCRF-CEM, or sperm, but not RAJI. Lymphocytes from the infertile patients, when stimulated with pokeweed mitogen in vitro, produced antisperm and anti-T-lymphocyte antibodies at significantly higher titers than normal controls.

Antibodies

Clinical significance of sperm antibodies in infertility.

Sperm antibody (AB) titers, determined by passive hemagglutination and cytotoxicity assays, were found to be elevated in 62 males and 46 females of 103 couples with primary infertility; 15 males and 12 females of 25 couples with secondary infertility; 10 males and 8 females of 18 couples with histories of repeated abortion; 21 males and 17 females of 25 couples in which the husband had a history of prostatitis; and 29 males and 17 females of 38 couples in which the husband had oligospermia. Of the couples in which one or both partners had elevated sperm AB titers, only 4 achieved pregnancy: 3 from the group with secondary infertility, all of which ended in spontaneous abortions, and 1 in which the husband was oligospermic. This suggests an etiologic role of sperm immunity in infertility. Immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune males with prednisone (15 mg/day for 3 weeks to 6 months) resulted in significant decreases in AB titers. Pregnancies were achieved by 9 of 25 couples after treatment (36%). The observed increase in pregnancy rate in the prednisone-treated versus untreated groups of couples with elevated sperm AB titers was significant (P less than 0.02).

Abortion, Habitual

Myasthenia gravis, premature menopause, and thyroid autoimmunity.

Two case reports of patients with myasthenia gravis, premature menopause at ages 18 and 29 years, and evidence of thyroid and ovarian autoimmunity are presented. Both patients had elevated gonadotropins, sex steroid values in the menopausal range, and ovaries without follicular activity. An autoimmune etiology is suggested because of the high titers of antithyroid and antiovarian antibodies.

Adolescent

Anti-ovarian and anti-lymphocyte antibodies in patients with chronic vaginal candidiasis.

Seventeen of 30 patients with chronic vaginal candidiasis (CVC) of at least 5 years duration had varying degrees of menstrual problems and defective T lymphocyte function; 8 developed amenorrhea. In a group of 40 CVC patients, titers of autoantibodies to ovary, thymocytes, a T-cell line (CCRF-CEM), and a B-cell line (RN114) were significantly higher than those in 45 normal females (69 +/- 3 vs. 5 +/- 2, 70 +/- 27 vs. 4 +/- 2, l7 +/- 6, vs. 4 +/ 2, and 73 +/- 24 vs. 8 +/- 5, respectively, mean +/- S.E.). Antibody titers to sperm, T-cell line HSB-2, and B-cell lines RAJI and BALL-1 were within the normal range. Significant correlations were found between anti-Candida, anti-ovarian, and anti-thymocyte antibody titers. Similar results were found for 6 patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMCC) and in serial samples obtained over a one-year period from a representative patient with both CVC and CMCC. The anti-T-lymphocyte antibodies in these patients were directed primarily against non-suppressor (predominately helper) T cells. Absorption of the sera with either Candida cells, ovarian follicle cells, or thymocytes reduced all three antibody titers; absorption with sperm or B-cell lines did not alter the titers. These results suggest the presence of one or more cross-reactive antigens on ovarian follicle, T lymphocytes (especially the helper cell subpopulation), and Candida.

Absorption

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis.

A case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis occurring in association with staghorn calculus and severe pyelonephritis is reported. The incidence and aetiopathogenesis of this neoplasm is briefly discussed.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous