Immune response after vaginal application of antigens in the rhesus monkey

Antibody responses after intravaginal immunisation with trimeric HIV-1 CN54 clade C gp140 in Carbopol gel are augmented by systemic priming or boosting with an adjuvanted formulation

Optimum strategies to elicit and maintain antibodies at mucosal portals of virus entry are critical for the development of vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Here we show in non-human primates that a novel regimen of repeated intravaginal delivery of a non-adjuvanted, soluble recombinant trimeric HIV-1_CN54 clade C envelope glycoprotein (gp140) administered in Carbopol gel can prime for B-cell responses even in the absence of seroconversion. Following 3 cycles of repeated intravaginal administration, throughout each intermenses interval, 3 of 4 macaques produced or boosted systemic and mucosally-detected antibodies upon intramuscular immunisation with gp140 formulated in AS01 adjuvant. Reciprocally, a single intramuscular immunisation primed 3 of 4 macaques for antibody boosting after a single cycle of intravaginal immunisation. Virus neutralising activity was detected against clade C and clade B HIV-1 envelopes but was restricted to highly neutralisation sensitive pseudoviruses.

Sperm surface antigens and the prospects for contraceptive vaccine development

It has been estimated that 500 million couples world-wide have no access to contraception and that approximately 20% of births between 1995 and 2000 will be unwanted. Such statistics have important implications for the rate of world population growth and the possibility of maintaining a sustainable population. Although political change and the empowerment of women across the world will help address these issues, it will also be important to increase the availability of contraceptives; not only the modalities that are in current use, but also novel methods that will satisfy needs that are presently unfulfilled. One such alternative could be a vaccine targeting the human spermatozoon.

Morphologic and Immunohistochemical Features of the Cynomolgus Macaque Cervix

Female macaques serve as an important model for the study of reproductive diseases in women. Here we summarize characteristics of the macaque cervix, with a particular emphasis on the cynomolgus macaque. Key anatomic features include a stratified squamous exocervix, squamocolumnar junction and transformation zone, and glandular endocervix with prominent colliculi. Endocervical eversion occurs with onset of ovarian cycling and regresses to varying degrees based on age, hormonal status, and individual conformation. The cervical epithelium in macaques is highly responsive to estrogens, which induce marked squamous epithelial maturation and glandular hypertrophy. Progestogen effects include further induction of endocervical secretory activity and release of viscous mucus, which functions in both mucosal immunity and fertility regulation. On immunohistochemistry, the squamous cervix shows strong expression of estrogen receptor α, the proliferation marker Ki67/MIB1, and cytokeratin 14, whereas endocervical epithelium strongly expresses estrogen and progesterone receptors and cytokeratins 18 and 19. These patterns of expression are altered in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which is a common spontaneous lesion of the macaque cervix associated with specific types of oncogenic papillomaviruses. This report highlights important similarities with human cervix that should be useful for future studies of genital infection, neoplasia, and immunity in the macaque model.

Competing Interests: This article was sponsored by Covance Inc. and Schering-Plough. The author did not declare any other competing interests.

Vaginal immunity in the HSV-2 mouse model

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a sexually transmitted pathogen that infects the genital tract. Efforts to develop vaccines to protect women against this and other sexually transmitted pathogens would be facilitated by a better understanding of the immune mechanisms that protect the female reproductive tract against such infections. Such information would be invaluable in developing vaccine strategies to promote the type and magnitude of immune responses in the genital tract that would effectively protect against infection. This review focuses on recent studies using a progestin-treated adult mouse model to explore mucosal immunity to HSV-2 in the vagina. Evidence indicating a major role for both humoral and T cell immunity is presented.

Slight influence of the estrous cycle stage on the mucosal and systemic specific antibody response induced after vaginal and intraperitoneal immunization with protoxin Cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis in mice

Since the immune response appears to be variable according to the hormonal stage of the mammalian female, the aim of this study was to determine whether estrous cycle stage modifies the mucosal and systemic immune responses induced by intraperitoneal and vaginal immunization of mice with protoxin Cry1Ac. We tested the influence of three immunizations on the specific antibody response elicited at estrus and diestrus, that were the same estrous cycle stages at which the antigen was applied. Both intraperitoneal and vaginal immunization of mice with Cry1Ac either at estrus or diestrus induces specific antibody responses at serum, vagina and large intestine. The stage of the estrous cycle have little or non influence in the magnitude of the response induced, since only at serum the IgM was slightly higher at estrus than at diestrus by both routes. At the large intestine only the IgA response elicited via the intraperitoneal route changed, being higher at diestrus, whereas at the vagina IgA response induced did not change significantly due to the cycle stage. Present results suggest that Cry1Ac may be used as an antigen carrier as it can elicit antibody responses at systemic level and at several mucosal sites including the vagina that are not modified significantly throughout the reproductive cycle.

Vaginal mucosa serves as an inductive site for tolerance

These data demonstrate that tolerance can be induced by vaginal Ag exposure. In these experiments, mice were given vaginal agarose gel suppositories containing either 5 mg OVA or saline for 6 h. Mice were given suppositories either during the estrous (estrogen dominant) or diestrous (progesterone dominant) stage of the estrous cycle. Mice were restrained during the inoculation period to prevent orovaginal transmission of the Ag. After 1 wk, mice were immunized s. c. with OVA in CFA. After 3 wk, mice were tested for delayed-type hypersensitivity responses by measuring footpad swelling and measuring in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes to Ag. Using ELISA, the magnitude of the serum Ab response was also measured. In some mice, FITC conjugated to OVA was used to track the dissemination of the protein into the systemic tissues. The magnitude of footpad swelling was significantly reduced in mice receiving OVA-containing suppositories during estrus compared with mice receiving saline suppositories. Concomitant decreases in the Ag-specific proliferative response were also observed in lymph node lymphocytes and splenocytes. Conversely, mice inoculated during diestrus did not show a decreased response to Ag by either footpad response or in vitro proliferation. Serum Ab titers in the estrus-inoculated mice did not decrease significantly. These data demonstrate that the reproductive tract can be an inductive site for mucosally induced tolerance. However, unlike other mucosal sites such as the lung and gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract tolerance induction is hormonally regulated.

Predominate HIV1-specific IgG activity in various mucosal compartments of HIV1-infected individuals

Evaluating mucosal humoral immunity is important for understanding local immunity induced by HIV infection or vaccination and designing prophylactic strategies. To characterize the mucosal humoral immunity following HIV infection, the levels of immunoglobulins (Igs), antibodies (Abs), and HIV1-specific Ab activity were evaluated in cervicovaginal secretions (CVS), saliva, breast milk, and sera of HIV-infected individuals. HIV1-specific IgG activity was significantly higher than that of IgA in CVS, saliva, and breast milk. The highest HIV1-specific IgG activity was found in breast milk. The data suggest that anti-HIV1 Abs in CVS were most likely serum derived. However, HIV1-specific Abs in saliva and breast milk were mainly locally produced. The prevalence of HIV1-specific Abs in seropositive subjects was 97% for IgG and 95% for IgA in CVS, 100% for IgG and 80% for IgA in saliva, and 59% for IgG and 94% for IgA in breast milk. These data provide evidence for both a better understanding of the nature of humoral mucosal responses after HIV1 infection and the development of strategies to induce desirable functional mucosal immunity for preventing HIV transmission.

Immunoglobulin concentrations and antigen-specific antibody levels in cervicovaginal lavages of rhesus macaques are influenced by the stage of the menstrual cycle

The levels of antigen-specific antibodies (Abs) and immunoglobulins in the cervical mucus of women vary with the menstrual cycle; the highest levels occur during menses, and the lowest occur during the periovulatory period. The rhesus macaque is a widely used animal model of female genital tract immunity. We sought to determine whether rhesus macaques have a cyclical pattern of changing cervicovaginal Ab and immunoglobulin levels that is similar to that of the human female. This study examined the relationship of the stages of the menstrual cycle to genital mucosal and systemic immunoglobulin concentrations and Ab levels in rhesus macaques. In all seven rhesus macaques studied, the immunoglobulins G and A and some antibodies in cervicovaginal lavages varied with the stages of the menstrual cycle, and in many cases this variation reached the level of statistical significance. In a pattern similar to that of women, the highest levels of Abs and immunoglobulins occurred during menses, and the lowest levels occurred around the time of ovulation. However, the Ab and immunoglobulin levels in serum and rectal lavages did not change with the menstrual cycle stage. The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that the ovarian hormones that drive the menstrual cycle influence genital tract immunity in female primates.

Specific-antibody-secreting cells in the rectums and genital tracts of nonhuman primates following vaccination

To determine optimal strategies to induce specific-antibody-secreting cells (specific ASC) in the rectal and vaginal mucosae, we immunized monkeys with a prototype mucosal immunogen, cholera toxin (CT), given locally or via gastric or parenteral administration. Repeated rectal or vaginal CT immunizations induced strong mucosal and systemic ASC responses. The mucosal responses were, however, confined to the immunization sites and comprised high levels of both specific antitoxin immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG. Large numbers of specific IgA and IgG ASC were detected in cell suspensions from dissociated genital and rectal tissues, demonstrating local accumulation of effector B cells at these sites. Intragastric immunization with CT did not per se give rise to cervicovaginal or rectal ASC responses but did prime for a rectal IgA ASC response to local booster immunization. Both rectal and vaginal immunizations also induced circulating blood IgG ASC and IgA ASC. In conclusion, these results show that local administration of antigen to the rectal or vaginal mucosa results in higher ASC responses than systemic or distant mucosal delivery. Furthermore, both the vaginal and the rectal mucosae can serve as inductive sites for systemic ASC responses. These observations should be relevant to the development of vaccines against sexually transmitted diseases such as that caused by human immunodeficiency virus.

Immunoglobulin G, plasma cells, and lymphocytes in the murine vagina after vaginal or parenteral immunization with attenuated herpes simplex virus type 2

This investigation evaluated immunity to vaginal herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection after local or parenteral immunization with attenuated HSV-2. Vaginal immunization induced sterilizing immunity against challenge with a high dose of wild-type virus, whereas parenteral immunizations protected against neurologic disease but did not entirely prevent infection of the vagina. Vaginal immunization caused 86- and 31-fold increases in the numbers of immunoglobulin G (IgG) plasma cells in the vagina at 6 weeks and 10 months after immunization, whereas parenteral immunizations did not increase plasma cell numbers in the vagina. Vaginal secretion/serum titer ratios and specific antibody activities in vaginal secretions and serum indicated that IgG viral antibody was produced in the vagina and released into vaginal secretions at 6 weeks and 10 months after vaginal immunization but not after parenteral immunizations. In contrast to the case for plasma cells, the numbers of T and B lymphocytes in the vagina were similar in vaginally and parenterally immunized mice. Also, lymphocyte numbers in the vagina were markedly but similarly increased by vaginal challenge with HSV-2 in both vaginally and parenterally immunized mice. Lymphocyte recruitment to the vagina after virus challenge appeared to involve memory lymphocytes, because it was not observed in nonimmunized mice. Thus, local vaginal immunization with attenuated HSV-2 increased the number of IgG plasma cells in the vagina and increased vaginal secretion/serum titer ratios to 3.0- to 4.7-fold higher than in parenterally immunized groups but caused little if any selective homing of T and B lymphocytes to the vagina.

Immunization of the female genital tract with a DNA-based vaccine

Vaccines are being sought for contraception and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. However, progress is slow in this area largely because of lack of information on induction of protective immune responses in genital tract mucosa. In this study, we investigated whether in vivo transfection with a model DNA-based antigen delivered by gene gun technology would induce an antibody response detectable in vaginal secretions. Female rats were immunized with plasmids encoding human growth hormone (HGH) under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter (pCMV/HGH) via vaginal mucosa (V), Peyer's patch (PP), and/or abdominal skin (S) routes. Localization of HGH in the target tissues demonstrated that all three sites can be transfected in vivo with pCMV/HGH. Vaginal tissues expressed roughly the same level of plasmid as skin. Antibodies to HGH were detectable in serum and vaginal secretions in rats immunized with pCMV/HGH. In the rats primed and boosted vaginally, vaginal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antibody titers to HGH were sustained for at least 14 weeks, whereas rats immunized via other routes and protocols (S/V, S/S, PP/PP, or PP/V) did not consistently sustain significant vaginal antibody titers beyond week 6. DNA-based immunizations administered by the gene gun may be an effective method of inducing local immunity in the female genital tract.

The importance of mucosal immunology to problems in human reproduction

The field of mucosal immunology is making rapid advances towards establishing the molecular basis of mucosal defense mechanisms and the development of mucosal vaccines. Research on the mucosal immunology of male and female reproductive tract tissues is benefiting from these advances, as well as from current investigations on specialized immunologic features of the reproductive tract. This knowledge may soon be applicable to solutions for many important problems concerning human reproduction, such as fertility regulation and the current epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

Nonclassical mucosal antibodies predominate in genital secretions of HIV-1 infected chimpanzees

To identify mucosal immunity in HIV-infected chimpanzees, IgG, IgA, and IgM from plasma, saliva, rectal swabs, vaginal washes, semen, and urethral washes were tested from four male and three female HIV-1IIIB infected chimpanzees. The level of HIV infections in the seven chimpanzees were classified as high, intermediate and low depending on the number of HIV-1 infected cells per 10(7) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). One male chimpanzee had a relatively high viral load, two males and two females had moderate viral loads and one male and one female had low levels of infection. All seven animals had plasma antibody. The principal finding was that nonclassical mucosal antibodies of the IgG isotype were the predominant antibody in the saliva, rectal swabs, vaginal washes, semen, and urethral washes of infected animals. All plasma and mucosal samples were negative for IgM antibodies. The results show that HIV-1 specific IgG responses and not sIgA predominate at mucosal surfaces of HIV-1IIIB infected chimpanzees. A trend was observed in which high viral loads correlated with high plasma IgG, IgA and sIgA titers. An overall correlation between relatively high virus loads and high amounts of mucosal IgG was also found.

Generation of humoral immune responses against herpes simplex virus type 2 in the murine female genital tract

A murine model of genital infection with a thymidine kinase-deficient (tk-) strain of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was utilized to examine the local urogenital antibody response to HSV-2. Vaginal inoculation with HSV-2 tk- protected against a subsequent genital challenge with a lethal dose of virulent HSV-2. After primary vaginal infection, predominantly HSV-specific IgG antibodies were detected in serum and vaginal secretions. HSV-specific IgG antibody-secreting cells (ASC) were detected first and in greatest numbers in the genital lymph nodes (gLN) after primary HSV-2 tk- inoculation. HSV-specific IgG or IgA ASC were not detected in the urogenital mucosa after primary HSV-2 vaginal infection. Vaginal HSV-2 challenge of HSV-immune mice resulted in increased HSV-specific serum IgG antibody and vaginal IgA antibody titers. HSV-specific IgG ASC were detected by 4 days postchallenge in gLN and by Days 6 and 7 postchallenge in the spleen and genital mucosa. These results suggest that urogenital humoral responses originate in the gLN following HSV genital infection and that gLN may serve as the primary source of the HSV-specific IgG- and IgA-secreting cells present in the urogenital mucosa after vaginal challenge.

Genital-associated lymphoid tissue in female non-human primates

We investigated genital-associated lymphoid tissue (GENALT) in non-human primates (macaques), by augmenting vaginal with oral immunization. The vaccine was a recombinant particulate SIV antigen (p27:Ty-VLP), linked to CT-B, and administered into the vagina by a paediatric naso-gastric tube and into the stomach by a gastric tube. Oro-vaginal or vagino-oral sequence of immunization elicited specific CD4+ T cell proliferative responses to p27 antigen in the genital lymph nodes and the spleen but not in unrelated lymph nodes. CD4+ T cells reconstituted with B cells and macrophages from the genital lymph nodes induced specific IgA and to a lesser extent IgG anti-p27 antibodies. However, the corresponding splenic cells induced greater IgG than IgA antibody synthesis. Intramuscular immunization primed splenic but not genital lymph node cells, and induced CD4+ T cell proliferative responses and predominantly B cell IgG antibody synthesis. Finding primed B and T cells in the genital lymph nodes after augmenting vaginal by oral immunization provides experimental evidence for GENALT in non-human primates. This primate model of vaginal immunization suggests 3 levels of specific immunity: (1) secretory IgA (and IgG) in the cervico-vaginal mucosal epithelium; (2) primed CD4+ T cells and B cells in the genital lymph nodes and the spleen; and (3) circulating CD4+ T cells, B cells and IgG and IgA antibodies specific to the immunizing antigen.

Induction of specific immunoglobulin A in the small intestine, colon-rectum, and vagina measured by a new method for collection of secretions from local mucosal surfaces

In order study patterns of local antibody responses following mucosal immunization of mice via different routes, a method for collection of secretions directly from mucosal surfaces was developed. Mice were immunized on days 0, 10, 17, and 24 by administration of cholera toxin into the oral cavity, stomach, colon-rectum, or vagina. At sacrifice on day 32, absorbent wicks were placed in the oral cavity and, via an applicator tube, into the vagina and distal colon-rectum and along the entire small intestine after flushing of luminal contents. Protein was quantitatively extracted from wicks, and specific anti-cholera toxin immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Concentrations of specific IgA in secretions at various mucosal sites were dramatically influenced by the route of immunization. Oral immunization effectively induced IgA in saliva, and the intragastric route was optimal for induction of IgA in the small intestine. High levels of specific IgA appeared on the colonic-rectal mucosal surface only after rectal delivery of antigen. Oral, gastric, and rectal immunizations also produced distant responses in the vagina. Following vaginal immunization, however, neither local nor distant IgA responses were detected. These results suggest that vaccines intended for protection of colonic-rectal and vaginal mucosal surfaces might best be administered by the rectal route.

Transforming growth factor beta as an immunosuppressive protein in human seminal plasma

PROBLEM

Human seminal plasma is known to exhibit immunosuppressive activity in seminal plasma.

PURPOSE

The purpose was to characterize immunosuppressive proteins in seminal plasma.

METHOD

Gel filtration fractions of 100 to > 440 kDa were identified that inhibited DNA synthesis and killing activity of interleukin-2 stimulated lymphocytes.

RESULTS

The fractions exhibiting immunosuppression also inhibited DNA synthesis in a mink lung cell bioassay commonly used to measure the activity for transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). The negative growth activity was diminished by a TGF-beta neutralizing monoclonal antibody. TGF-beta was further detected in the active fractions by Western immunoblot.

CONCLUSIONS

These results identified TGF-beta as an immunosuppressive protein in human seminal plasma and may provide insight into the role of immunosuppression played by seminal plasma, such as in reproduction and neoplasia.

Induction of mucosal and systemic immunity to a recombinant simian immunodeficiency viral protein

Heterosexual transmission through the cervico-vaginal mucosa is the principal route of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Africa and is increasing in the United States and Europe. Vaginal immunization with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) had not yet been studied in nonhuman primates. Immune responses in macaques were investigated by stimulation of the genital and gut-associated lymphoid tissue with a recombinant, particulate SIV antigen. Vaginal, followed by oral, administration of the vaccine elicited three types of immunity: (i) gag protein p27-specific, secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the vaginal fluid, (ii) specific CD4+ T cell proliferation and helper function in B cell p27-specific IgA synthesis in the genital lymph nodes, and (iii) specific serum IgA and IgG, with CD4+ T cell proliferative and helper functions in the circulating blood.

Genital secretory immune response to chronic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection: a comparison between intravenously and genitally inoculated rhesus macaques

The humoral and genital secretory immune response to chronic SIV infection was compared between female Rhesus macaques inoculated by i.v. or intravaginal routes. Total IgG levels in serum were 10-fold higher in SIV-infected animals when compared with uninfected controls. Vaginal washes from normal macaques contained predominantly IgA and IgG, while those from SIV-infected animals contained high levels of IgG. The SIV-infected animals had high titres of SIV-specific IgG in serum, with lower but detectable IgA and IgM responses. The genital secretory immune response to SIV was similar in intravenously and intravaginally inoculated animals. The anti-SIV response in the vaginal washes consisted mainly of IgG. Within the lamina propria of the reproductive tract of animals chronically infected with SIV there were essentially no IgA or IgG plasma cells and only a small number of IgM plasma cells, while two normal animals had large numbers of IgA plasma cells. These results suggest that the mucosal immune system of the female reproductive tract is impaired in chronic SIV infection.

The effect of adjuvants on antibody titers in mouse vaginal fluid after intravaginal immunization

Intravaginal (ivag) immunization elicits secretory immune responses in the female reproductive tract, but little is known about the safety and effectiveness of adjuvants for such immunization. Mice were immunized intravaginally once daily for 5 days with large doses of horse ferritin combined with aluminum hydroxide (AH), muramyl dipeptide (MDP), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDA) or cholera toxin (CT). Titers of anti-ferritin IgA and IgG were measured in vaginal fluid by ELISA. The most effective adjuvant for ivag primary immunization was AH, while MPL was most effective for ivag boosting. None of the adjuvants caused a detectable tissue reaction in vaginal mucosa. Primary ivag immunization for 5 days with ferritin and AH followed by ivag boosting for 5 days with ferritin and MPL elicited higher IgA titers in vaginal fluid than systemic priming and boosting with ferritin and AH or systemic priming and ivag boosting with ferritin and MPL. Systemically immunized animals exhibited the highest IgG titers in vaginal fluid. The data indicate that adjuvants, particularly AH, can increase local immune responses to intravaginal immunization, but it should be noted that multiple applications of large doses of antigen were used and that this route of sensitization may be relatively inefficient.

Immunological role for seminal plasma in insemination and pregnancy

Insemination confronts the female with paternally derived alloantigens and represents an immunological challenge preceding fertilization and implantation. Current evidence suggests a role for seminal plasma in regulating maternal immunity for insemination and pregnancy. In vitro seminal plasma has been shown to suppress T- and B-cell proliferation, neutrophil and macrophage phagocytic activity, as well as killer cell activity. Seminal plasma interacts with complement components C1 and C3 and contains factors that specifically bind the Fc region of IgG. These in vitro findings suggest possible seminal plasma-suppressive effects on female alloimmune responses after insemination. Seminal plasma also contains allotypic TLX antigens that could prime mothers prior to fertilization. Such priming effects for pregnancy acceptance are supported by improved implantation rates in controlled clinical trials using timed vaginal exposure to semen during in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer treatment cycles.

A comparison of specific antibody responses in mouse vaginal fluid after immunization by several routes

Mice were immunized with a protein antigen, horse ferritin, by eight different routes and the immune responses in the reproductive tract were compared by measuring specific IgA and IgG in vaginal fluid and by localizing anti-ferritin plasma cells in uterine horns, cervix and vagina. The eight routes of immunization were: subcutaneous with Freund's adjuvant (s.c.), intragastric (i.g.), intravaginal (i.v.), s.c.-i.g., s.c.-i.v., i.g.-i.v., i.v.-i.v. and s.c.-i.g.-i.v. The largest overall response, considering both IgA and IgG antibodies, was obtained by s.c. priming with ferritin in adjuvant followed by i.v. boosting. Intravaginal immunization also boosted priming by the i.g., s.c.-i.g. and i.v. routes, but the response to i.v. immunization alone was weak. All i.v. immunizations stimulated mainly IgA antibody responses in vaginal fluid. Specific plasma cells, mostly of the IgG isotype, were present in the vaginal fornix of several mice in the s.c.-i.v. and s.c.-i.g.-i.v. groups, but none were detected there in any other group and they were only rarely observed in the uterine horns. The results provide data on the relative effectiveness of different routes of immunization in producing a humoral immune response in vaginal fluid against a non-replicating antigen.

Purification and characterisation of an immunosuppressive factor from normal human seminal plasma

We have previously described the presence of a human seminal plasma component which may prevent the immunologic sensitization of females against sperm and seminal plasma antigens. Purification of the immunosuppressive factor (ISF) by saturated ammonium sulphate precipitation, followed by Sepharose 4-B column chromatography and Con-A Sepharose 4-B affinity chromatography is described here. An apparently single-band protein on SDS gel electrophoresis, having a molecular weight of 35,000, has been isolated. Amino acid analysis of this glycoprotein shows that it is rich in isoleucine, glycine, glutamine and proline, while methionine, tyrosine and asparagine are present in traces.

Immunosuppression by human seminal plasma

Immunosuppressive property of normal human seminal plasma has been demonstrated on various in vitro immune parameters such as, blast transformation of lymphocytes with Phytohemagglutinin (P), Concanavalin A and Lipopolysaccharide, E & EAC rosette formation and mixed lymphocyte culture. The immunosuppression appears to be a T-cell mediated phenomenon. Analysis of semen samples obtained from 86 donors, comprising azoospermic, oligospermic, normospermic and polyspermic individuals, suggests that immunosuppression of the seminal plasma has no correlation with either the sperm density or the protein content of seminal plasma. The possible implication of the immunosuppressive activity in the development of acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome is also discussed.

Enhanced immune response in the urinary tract of the rat following vaginal immunization

The immune response in the rat urinary tract was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulins following vaginal immunization and subsequent intravesical challenge with live E. coli 06. Vaginally immunized rats showed a strong and rapid bladder immune response following intravesical challenge, in contrast to nonimmunized control rats. The immune response was localized to the urinary tract in that antibody to E. coli 06 was not detected in serum, saliva and vaginal washes from immunized rats.

Application of a sperm micro-immobilization test to cervical mucus in the investigation of immunologic infertility

A complement-dependent sperm micro-immobilization test for antisperm antibodies in cervical mucus was evaluated in 195 infertile women. Positive tests were obtained among 17% of women with "unexplained" and 12% with an "organic" basis for their infertility. The results confirmed previous reports of the presence of cervical mucus antibodies in the absence of corresponding activity in serum. Non-complement-dependent sperm-immobilizing activity was also detected in the cervical mucus of several patients. During a follow-up period of 9 to 24 months, 10% of those with "unexplained" infertility who had complement-dependent sperm-immobilizing antibodies in their mucus became pregnant, compared with 29% of those without antibodies. The corresponding pregnancy rates for patients with "'organic" infertility were 18% and 11%. In four patients with positive tests who subsequently conceived, further tests failed to detect the persistence of the immobilizing activity.

Immunologic infertility: identification of patients with antisperm antibody

Immunologic causes of infertility have been postulated for many years, but a precise means for identification of men or women with antibodies against sperm has not been available. We studied 614 patients, including 257 couples, with unexplained in fertility, to detect the presence of circulating antisperm antibody. Using a specific radiolabeled-antiglobulin test, we identified a subset of patients (10 per cent) with IgG antisperm antibody; this antibody was present in 13 per cent of the women and 7 per cent of the men. We followed the course of six infertile couples in whom one partner had sperm antibody. In four couples, pregnancy was achieved; pregnancy correlated with resolution of antibody activity. In two of these four couples the partner (one man and one woman) with antisperm activity had been pretreated with corticosteroids. We conclude that this objective test may be used to identify and then to help manage infertility in patients with suspected antibody-mediated infertility.