Pregnancy‐Specific Glycoprotein Gene Expression in Recurrent Aborters: A Potential Correlation to Interleukin‐10 Expression

Abstract

The level of expression of the PSG11 gene in the uterine endometrium, during the peri-implantation period, correlates with the risk of pregnancy loss in some women experiencing recurrent spontaneous abortions. The ability of PSG11 to influence the secretion of IL-10 suggests that PSG11 may contribute to the local modulation of the inflammatory T helper-1 response seen in the endometrium of these women.

Early Expression of Pregnancy-Specific Glycoprotein 22 (PSG22) by Trophoblast Cells Modulates Angiogenesis in Mice1

“…We observed that treatment of murine macrophages with recombinant PSG22 increased the production of TGFB but not the proinflammatory mediator TNFA and IL6 [13][14][15]. Secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines by decidual antigen presenting cells, which was observed in the present study, has been linked to the ability of these cells to promote fetal tolerance and angiogenesis.…”

“…For example, the ability of human PSG1, PSG6, and PSG11 and murine PSG17 and PSG18 [7,14] to stimulate interleukin 10 (IL10) secretion by macrophages and monocytes has been demonstrated [13,15], often showing cross-species reactivity. In addition, an important anti-inflammatory mediator induced by human and mouse PSG is TGFB [13].…”

Pregnancy-Specific Glycoprotein (PSG) in Baboon (Papio hamadryas): Family Size, Domain Structure, and Prediction of a Functional Region in Primate PSGs1

“…However, in mouse and rat PSG there is no RGD motif in the N-terminal domain [15]. Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein has also been suggested to have an immunomodulatory function [16][17][18] and an embryotrophic activity [19], and to enhance platelet and white blood cell counts after bone marrow transplantation [20].…”

The Th2 Cytokine Environment of the Placenta

“…RSA also has been linked tentatively to a reduction in Th2-type reactivity. The pregnancy-specific glycoprotein PSG11, which increases secretion of IL-10, is reduced in the endometrium of women with RSA [31]. Piccinni et al [32]found that decidual T cells in women with recurrent abortions show decreased production of LIF, IL-4 and IL-10, as compared to those with normal gestation.…”

“…Other pregnancy-induced factors influencing the immune system have been identified recently. A pregnancy-specific glycoprotein encoded by the gene PSG11 stimulates secretion of the Th2-type cytokine IL-10 by monocytes [31], and is significantly lower in women with RSA than those with normal pregnancies. Placental protein 14 directly inhibits T cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion in vitro, and so is a candidate anti-inflammatory agent.…”