| Reproductive Immunology | |
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Call for Interest Dr. M. Varla-Leftherioti (gr1bmdr@hol.gr) Dear Colleagues, HLA in couples with a history of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions (RSA) has been an old story. Eventhough HLA-A, B, DR sharing has not been accepted as a predictive factor for miscarriage, some recent reports focus on the importance of shaving or homozygosity of other class II alleles (ex. DQA1). On the other hand, the receptors of decidual NK cells and their ligands (HLA) on trophoblast appear to play a role in the maintenance of the pregnancy (allorecognition system). Because of the above data, we propose an HLA, HLA/NKR and RSA study in the frame of the IHWG and ASK FOR PARTICIPANTS interested in it. In such a study, control couples and couples with >3 first trimester abortions with indication of alloimmune etiology (according to peripheral blood tests and histopathological finding of missed embryos) will typed by molecular techniques for HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, and NKR. Evaluation will include HLA - association / homozygosity / sharing with RSA and estimation of HLA/NKR combinations. Waiting for your response. Dr. M. Varla-Leftherioti Immunology / Histocompatibility Dpt. General District Maternity Hospital "Helena Venizelou" 2 Helen's Venizelou Sq. 11521 Athens Greece Tel: 30-1-6453759; Fax: 30-1-6402149; e-mail: gr1bmdr@hol.gr |
