One step closer to the development of a rapid bioassay to determine if adequate luteal phase progesterone supplementation is provided during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles

摘要

One of the ways that the fetus escapes immune surveillance by natural killer (NK) cells is by the secretion of an immunomodulatory protein that inhibits NK cell cytolytic activity in the local fetal environment. Previously detection of this protein was through an immunocytochemistry technique that can not be used for rapid results. Purification of this 34 kDa protein known as the progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) by recombinant DNA technology allows the potential development of a monoclonal antibody and a possible ELISA assay which would allow rapid turnaround of test results. A prerequisite for developing an ELISA technique is that the protein is soluble. Our study did in fact show that the protein is soluble so an ELISA assay should be plausible.