妊娠関連蛋白Pregnancy Zone Protein (PZP)の動態と精製及びその機能に関する研究

Abstract

A protein map was prepared by means of two-dimensional electrophoresis for serum specimens from pregnant women. The PZP (pregnancy zone protein) appearing on the map was identified, and anti-PZP serum was prepared using this protein as an antigen. In cases of normal pregnancy, PZP began to be detected in serum around the 8th week of pregnancy and its level reached a peak in the second trimester ; thereafter, it remained almost unchanged or showed only a slight reduction until delivery. In patients with severe toxemia of pregnancy showing systemic edema, proteinuria (3 g/day) and hypertension (over 160 mmHg), the serum PZP level was much higher than in cases of normal pregnancy. Using the highly pure PZP obtained by the use of anti-PZP antibody, we assessed the biological effects of PZP on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and mononuclear cells (MMC). This assessment provided the following results : (1) A test with the fluorescent antibody technique disclosed that PZP binds well to PMN and MNC. (2) In assessment of chemotactic ability with Boyden's method, PZP was found to elevate the chemotactic ability of PMN and to reduce that of MNC. (3) When assessed with a lumiphotometer, ingesting ability and the bactericidal action of PMN and MNC decreased after exposure to PZP. These results suggest that PZP suppresses cell-mediated immunity, and that it plays an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy.