[Immunochemical investigations on the protein of the "pregnancy zone". X. Demonstration of immunosuppressive activities of the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein (pregnancy zone protein) by means of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test (author's transl)].

By means of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test the supposed immunosuppressive activity of the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein (pregnancy zone protein) could be demonstrated significantly. Pregnancy sera and sera of nonpregnant women with hormonal contraception containing this pregnancy protein showed an immunosuppresive activity, too. On the contrary, serum of male donors with the blood group AB and human serum albumin had no inhibitory effects. The results suggest that the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein rather influences the afferent limb of the immune response and does not interfere with the activity of the mediator (migration inhibiting factor).