van de Geijn F E, Roos A, de Man Y A, Laman J D, de Groot C J M, Daha M R, Hazes J M W, Dolhain R J E M
Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Hum Reprod. 2007 Feb;22(2):362-71. doi: 10.1093/humrep/del392. Epub 2006 Nov 11.
Pregnancy is associated with changes in the immune system. Although previous studies have focussed mainly on adaptive immunity, there are indications that components of innate immunity, such as mannose-binding lectin (MBL), are associated with pregnancy outcome. Although this would suggest that pregnancy also involves adaptations in innate immunity, there are few studies in this area. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether MBL concentrations and the following steps in complement pathway activation are influenced by pregnancy.
MBL and Ficolin-2 concentrations, MBL-MBL-associated serine protease (MASP) complex activity, MBL pathway activity and classical complement pathway activity were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera from pregnant women (n=32) during each trimester and post-partum. MBL genotyping was performed by PCR.
During pregnancy, MBL concentrations increased to 140% [interquartile range (IQR) 116-181%, P < 0.0001]. This increase was already present at 12 weeks of pregnancy and was most pronounced in the high-production AA-genotype. Directly Post-partum MBL concentrations dropped to 57% of baseline (IQR 44-66%, P < 0.0001). Variations in MBL levels were reflected by similar changes in the following steps of complement activation, r > 0.93 (P < 0.01). Ficolin-2 levels and classical complement pathway activity were not similarly influenced by pregnancy.
Pregnancy and the post-partum period profoundly influence MBL serum concentration and MBL complement pathway activity.
妊娠与免疫系统的变化有关。尽管先前的研究主要集中在适应性免疫方面，但有迹象表明，先天性免疫的成分，如甘露糖结合凝集素（MBL），与妊娠结局有关。虽然这表明妊娠也涉及先天性免疫的适应性变化，但该领域的研究较少。因此，我们旨在确定MBL浓度以及补体途径激活的后续步骤是否受妊娠影响。
采用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）法测定32名孕妇在孕期各阶段及产后血清中的MBL和纤维胶凝蛋白-2浓度、MBL-MBL相关丝氨酸蛋白酶（MASP）复合物活性、MBL途径活性和经典补体途径活性。通过聚合酶链反应（PCR）进行MBL基因分型。
孕期MBL浓度增加至140%[四分位间距（IQR）116-181%，P<0.0001]。这种增加在妊娠12周时就已出现，在高产量AA基因型中最为明显。产后MBL浓度直接降至基线的57%（IQR 44-66%，P<0.0001）。补体激活后续步骤的类似变化反映了MBL水平的变化，r>0.93（P<0.01）。纤维胶凝蛋白-2水平和经典补体途径活性受妊娠的影响不相似。
妊娠和产后时期对MBL血清浓度和MBL补体途径活性有深远影响。
