Plenary Session IV: Cytokines and regulatory molecules in reproduction

Overview
Speakers for this plenary session will focus on the molecular basis for the dialogue between the immune and reproductive systems. This communication is mediated in large part by soluble secretory products of lymphocytes, endometrial cells, and trophoblast.

This session will focus on T helper 1 and 2 related cytokine network and its hormonal control during pregnancy as well as one of the novel molecules such as lectin in decidual NK cells. Understanding the function of these molecules is critical to understanding how embryonic and placental function is regulated by leukocytes and how immune responses in the reproductive tract depend upon endocrine status.

Presenters

Marie -Pierre Piccinni, Ph.D.
Institute of internal medicine and immunoallergology
University of Firenze
Florence, Italy
Role of hormone-controlled T cell cytokines in the maintenance of pregnancy

   Educational Objectives

• The role of hormones (progesterone, hCG, estradiol, relaxin) on the cytokine production of the T-cells.
• The role of LIF and Th2-type cytokines in the maintenance of pregnancy.
• Cytokines produced by the cumulus oophorus T cells.

Stephen Ford, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Iowa State University
Genetic and hormonal aspects of placental growth and vascularity in the pig

   Educational Objectives

• Clarify the physiological factors limiting litter size in the pig.
• Compare the contrasts the prolific Chinese Meishan pig with the less prolific U.S. pig breeds in their strategies for litter size control.
• Discuss our current understanding of factors controlling vascularity and thus nutrient uptake at the placental:endometrial interface.

Aureo T. Yamada, Ph.D.
Department of Histology & Embryology
Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Campinas, Brazil
Identification of mouse uterine NK cells specific marker and its application to studies of pregnancy loss

   Educational Objectives

• The uterine NK cell (uNK) has a distinct behavior when compared to general NK cell responding against virus infected or tumor cells. It is reasonable to predict the expression of specific cell membrane receptor that control the triggering of such a cell.
• The first objective of this work is to show the glycoconjugates containing NAcDGal - NAc-Dgal terminal moieties expressed specifically by mouse uNK cells. These glycoconjugates strongly reacts with DBA (Dolichos biflorus) lectin, being easily recognized by cytochemical method at light and electron microscopy. It will be demonstrated how useful is this method to identify the differentiation stages of uNK cells through the pregnancy.
• As a second objective, it will be shown the morphological changes of uNK cells found in the uterus after a proposed experimental condition to trigger their in vivo natural cytotoxic activity.

Alice Gilman-Sachs, Ph.D.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
FUHS/The Chicago Medical School
Th1/Th2 immune response in women with recurrent pregnancy losses and infertility

   Educational Objectives

• To review the differences between Th1 and Th2 cytokines.
• To understand current status of these cytokines in normal pregnancy.
• To learn different methods of assessing cytokines.
• To investigate the relationship between the Th1/Th2 ratio and pregnancy losses or infertility.