Jan Ernerudh

Paternal leukocytes selectively increase secretion of IL-4 in peripheral blood during normal pregnancies: demonstrated by a novel one-way MLC measuring cytokine secretion.

PROBLEM: It has been proposed that immune responses in normal pregnancy are Th2‐like, thereby protecting the fetus and placenta from being rejected. Some studies have shown Th2‐deviated systemic responses to different antigens and mitogens. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the specific T cell cytokine responses directed toward paternal histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA), because this is the most prominent target for rejection of the feto‐placental unit.

Suppressor macrophages in early pregnancy human decidua

INTRODUCTION:  Local immune modulation has been shown to be of considerable importance for successful pregnancy. We have previously detected the secretion of IFN‐γ, IL‐4 and IL‐10 in human decidua from early normal pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the cell types in decidua, as well as in peripheral blood, responsible for cytokine secretion.