Reactivity In Women Research Articles

Intrinsic alteration of lymphocyte reactivity in women with normal pregnancy or tumor of placental origin

It was observed that the supernatant of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated leukocyte cultures in pregnancy and gestational choriocarcinoma inhibited lymphocyte DNA synthesis. In contrast, the supernatant generated from normal leukocytes significantly enhanced the stimulating effect of phytohaemagglutinin. These experiments suggest that an endogenous alteration in lymphocyte immunocompetence occurs in pregnancy and gestational choriocarcinoma. These mediators, which are dialyzable and heat-labile may play a role in the survival of the fetal allograft.