Human decidua-associated protein hDP200 appears to be a rheumatoid factor

Effect of intrauterine injection of casein on fetal survival in rat: a new pharmacological approach for contraception

BACKGROUND

The incidental finding of casein as a possible new local pharmacological contraceptive prompted us to assess its validity in an experimental rat model.

METHODS

The intrauterine injection of 150 microg of bovine alpha-casein dissolved in 150 microL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was performed on one uterine rat horn on days L(5)-L(7), whereas the contralateral horn was used for injection of 150 microL PBS as a control. Intraperitoneal injection of alpha-casein (5 mg/mL, 2 mL/rat) was performed on day L(5). The rats were killed by cervical dislocation on the day L(14).

RESULTS

The effect of an alpha-casein on fetal resorption rate was assessed following the unilateral injection of 150 microL of alpha-casein (1 mg/mL in PBS) and compared with the effect obtained following the contralateral injection of 150 microL PBS. The unilateral injection of alpha-casein on day L(5) caused a significant increase in fetal resorption rate as compared with the contralateral uterine horn injected with PBS (p<.00001). The decrease in alpha-casein concentration from 1 to 0.3 mg/mL caused a reduced, but still significant, effect on fetal resorption rate (p<.0001). The injection on days L(6)-L(7) caused a local effect of resorption near the injection site. There was no effect on fetal resorption rate following the injection of alpha-casein intraperitoneally.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest a new pharmacological approach for contraception, based on local intrauterine effect of alpha-casein in an experimental rat model. The exact mechanism of action related to casein should be further studied.

Human decidua-associated protein 200 neutralizes the detrimental effect of serum containing antiphospholipid antibodies on fetal survival in the rat

PROBLEM

We wanted to examine whether the detrimental effect of serum containing antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies on rat pregnancy outcome can be neutralized by addition of human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200, a kind of rheumatoid factor, extracted from decidual tissue.

METHODS

Fifty microliters of pooled serum, obtained from women having anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant and presenting with APL antibody syndrome, added with 100 microL of immunoaffinity purified hDP200 was injected into unilateral uterine horn of each rat on day L5 of rat pregnancy. The contralateral uterine horn was used for injection of 50 microL APL positive serum added with physiologic saline as a control. The rats were killed on day L14, and the uterus of each rat was inspected for the presence of live and resorbed fetuses.

RESULTS

The addition of hDP200 to APL positive serum before the intrauterine injection neutralized the detrimental effect of APL serum on fetal resorption rate. Although the neutralizing effect was demonstrated following the addition of hDP200 and immediate intrauterine injection (a decrease in fetal resorption rate, P = 0.004), still the effect was more impressive following the addition of hDP200 and incubation period of 24 hr before the injection, thus causing a significant increase in the number of normal embryos and a significant decrease in fetal resorption rate (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Human decidua-associated protein 200, extracted from human decidual tissue neutralizes the detrimental effect of serum containing APL antibodies in an experimental rat model. Further studies are needed to prove this finding.

The level of human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200, identified as a monoclonal rheumatoid factor in the fallopian tube

PROBLEM

The aim of this study was to examine whether ectopic pregnancy is associated with increased levels of human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200, identified as a monoclonal rheumatoid factor, in the related fallopian tube as compared with normal tubes.

METHOD OF STUDY

Tubal fluid samples were obtained prospectively from two groups of patients: group I, 20 patients admitted for total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH and BSO); group II, 14 women with ectopic pregnancy, undergoing unilateral salpingectomy by laparoscopy or laparotomy. hDP 200 was assayed using double-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Very low levels of hDP 200 were found in normal tubes, while tubes with ectopic pregnancy demonstrated significantly higher levels of tubal fluid hDP 200 (P < 0.00001). In addition, in women with ectopic pregnancy, the uterine fluid level of hDP 200 was significantly lower than the level of hDP 200 in the tube containing ectopic pregnancy (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The increased level of hDP 200 (a monoclonal rheumatoid factor) in the tube containing ectopic pregnancy, as compared with uterine cavity and normal tubes, might be associated with the implantation site of the pregnancy.

Human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200 identified as a monoclonal rheumatoid factor is not an acute phase reactant

PROBLEM

The role of human decidua associated protein (hDP) 200, identified as a monoclonal rheumatoid factor, has not been determined yet. This study examines if this protein, being an immunoglobulin, participates in the inflammatory processes involving the uterus.

METHOD

Uterine fluid samples were obtained prospectively from two groups of women: the study group, containing 26 women with laparoscopically verified pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and the control group, containing 34 regularly cycling, fertile women, referred to the Family Planning Clinic. Uterine fluid sampling was performed once in each patient, and the concentration of uterine fluid hDP 200 was determined by double site ELISA, by using the monoclonal antibody DEC 21.

RESULTS

A statistically significant decrease in uterine fluid hDP 200 concentration was observed in women with pelvic inflammatory disease as compared to regularly cyclin fertile women (P < 0.00004). The hDP 200 levels in women with PID ranged from 10 to 1,000 mU/ml, with no difference in hDP 200 concentration among intra-uterine device (IUD) users as compared to non-users.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the concept that hDP 200, identified as monoclonal rheumatoid factor existing locally in the uterus, is not an acute phase reactant but is probably involved in the reproduction process.

Sequential measurements of human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200 in the uterine fluid during the menstrual cycle

PROBLEM

To examine the relationship between the concentration of uterine fluid human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200, identified as a monoclonal rheumatoid factor, and different phases of the menstrual cycle.

METHODS

Sequential measurements of hDP 200 concentration in uterine fluid were performed in 11 normal ovulatory women, aged 22-36 years. The samples were collected in early proliferative phase, late proliferative phase, periovulatory period, early secretory phase, and late secretory phase.

RESULTS

Consistent fluctuations of hDP 200 levels in uterine fluid were found throughout the menstrual cycle. High levels were found during early proliferative phase and periovulatory period related to significantly lower levels during late proliferative and early luteal phases.

CONCLUSION

There is menstrual phase dependent variation in the uterine fluid levels of hDP 200.