The Alan E. Beer Center for Reproductive Immunology & Genetics helps families grow by researching and treating couples who experience recurrent miscarriages, multiple pregnancy losses or repeated in vitro fertilization failures.

 

 


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Category 5 Immunological Problems

Introduction

There are 30 different types of lymphocytes (CD designations) that make up the immune system. A balanced functioning of these white blood cells keeps a person healthy. Two of these cell types can cause infertility, implantation failures and miscarriages (see diagram below). Women are born with these cell types. In some women, they increase in numbers and activity and result in reproductive failures.

 The Immune System
has 30 Different Kinds
of Lymphocytes
 Arrow Pointing Down
 Two Types Can
Damage Pregnancies
 Two Arrows Pointing Down
Antibodies to Hormones
(Chapter 2)
Tumor Necrosis
Factor Alpha
(Chapter 1)
Antibodies to Neurotransmitters
(Chapter 2)

Types of white blood cells include the following:

  1. TH-2 ("T Helper 2")
    The response is a balanced correct response during pregnancy (Category 1).

  2. TH-1 ("T Helper 1")
    The response is a cyto-toxic autoimmune response that can lead to infertility, implantation failure and miscarriage (categories 2, 3, 4 and 5).

  3. CD3, CD4, CD8
    Control production of blocking antibody response; a correct response.

  4. CD19+ 5+
    Produce antiphospholipid antibodies (Category 2) and anti-DNA and histone antibodies (Category 3). It also produces antisperm antibodies.

  5. CD56+, CD57+
    Are natural killer cells.

Please see A Guide to Interpreting the Results of the Reproductive Immunophenotype for more information on lymphocytes.

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