Zdenka Ulcova-Gallova

Prevalence and clinical correlations of antibodies against six beta 2-glycoprotein-I-related peptides in the antiphospholipid syndrome

Two-hundred ninety five patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) were studied for the presence of antibodies against six anti-β2GPI-related peptides Abs. The prevalence of a wide spectrum of clinical and laboratory parameters of APS was evaluated in all patients, and correlated with the presence of each anti-β2GPI peptide antibody. The rates of the various antipeptides Abs ranged from 18.0 to 63.7%. Altogether, 87.1% of the patients had antibody reactivity against at least one of the six β2GPI-related peptides. A high degree of simultaneous reactivity against several β2GPI-peptides was found. Positive and negative correlations were found between several antipeptides Abs and the rates of thrombosis and fetal loss. Our results point to a heterogeneous activity of anti-phospholipid Abs in APS patients, directed, often concurrently, against various epitopes of the β2GPI molecule. Evaluation of APS patients for the presence of specific antipeptides Abs may be of a value in predicting the risk for future thrombotic and obstetrical complication, as well as for specific therapeutic purposes.

Endometriosis in reproductive immunology

PROBLEM: Endometriosis is suggested to represent an autoimmune disorder, but what is the prevalence of autoantibodies to antigens relevant to reproduction?

Anti-Phospholipid Antibodies against Phosphatidylinositol, and Phosphatidylserine are More Significant in Reproductive Failure than Antibodies against Cardiolipin only

The humoral immune response to phospholipids was investigated in women with reproductive failure [1073 women after one in vitro fertilization (IVF), 853 women after two and more IVF, 627 women after three and more repeated spontaneous miscarriages or missed abortions, 412 women after diagnostic laparoscopy] and compared with that of 391 healthy fertile women.

TH1 - TH2 Response and the Atopy Risk in Patients with Reproduction Failure

Problem  Enhanced TH2 activity is characteristic for atopic diseases and is observed also in physiological pregnancy. The immune causes of repeated pregnancy losses and/or repeated in vitro fertilization failure may be associated with TH2 hypoactivity. The association with frequency of atopic diseases is unclear.

Does in vitro fertilization (IVF) influence the levels of sperm and zona pellucida (ZP) antibodies in infertile women

The levels of sperm and zona pellucida antibodies in 250 women divided into four groups according to number of recurrent IVF failures (1–4) were analysed and compared with results of a control group of 211 unexplained infertile women never treated by IVF. Sperm antibodies in serum and in ovulatory cervical mucus were determined by mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) test, serum zona pellucida antibodies were detected using passive haemagglutination and ELISA.

Immunological and physicochemical properties of cervical ovulatory mucus

Selected biochemical and immunological parameters of cervical ovulatory mucus collected at ovulation have been determined. These include the levels of glucose, fructose, immunoglobulins, C3, hormones, prostaglandin E2, Th1 and Th2 cytokines and antibodies to sperm (and the local effect of hydrocortisone treatment on their levels), zona pellucida, phospolipids and laminin-1. The results of these studies are relevant to the problems associated with fertility disorders and repeated loss of pregnancy.

Recurrent pregnancy loss and frequency of eight antiphospholipid antibodies and genetic thrombophilic factors in Czech women.

The aim of this study was to investigate frequencies of eight antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in serum, four genetic thrombophilic factors and their mutual relation in 206 patients with repeated pregnancy loss (RPL).

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Frequency of Eight Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Genetic Thrombophilic Factors in Czech Women

The aim of this study was to investigate frequencies of eight antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in serum, four genetic thrombophilic factors and their mutual relation in 206 patients with repeated pregnancy loss (RPL).

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (-675) 4G/5G Polymorphism and Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Czech Women

This study compares the frequencies of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (‐675) 4G/5G polymorphism and its relationship with eight antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in serum of 157 patients with repeated pregnancy loss (RPL).

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: TH1 – TH2 Response and the Atopy Risk in Patients with Reproduction Failure

Problem  Enhanced TH2 activity is characteristic for atopic diseases and is observed also in physiological pregnancy. The immune causes of repeated pregnancy losses and/or repeated in vitro fertilization failure may be associated with TH2 hypoactivity. The association with frequency of atopic diseases is unclear.