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Significance of human neutrophil antigen‐2a (NB1) expression and neutrophil number in pregnancy
Author(s) -
Taniguchi Kikuyo,
Nagata Hideaki,
Katsuki Takafumi,
Nakashima Chiyoko,
Onodera Rie,
Hiraoka Asako,
Takata Noboru,
Kobayashi Masao,
Kambe Masayuki
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2004.03298.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , flow cytometry , immunology , andrology , population , granulocyte , absolute neutrophil count , medicine , antigen , biology , genetics , environmental health , toxicity , neutropenia
BACKGROUND: Expression of human neutrophil antigen‐2a (HNA‐2a) is greater in women than in men. The size of the HNA‐2a‐positive neutrophil population increases with pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: T he relationship between HNA‐2a expression on neutrophils and monocytes, and their relative numbers, was investigated. HNA‐2a expression shown as the size of the HNA‐2a‐positive cell population and the fluorescence intensity on the cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. This investigation was done among 165 pregnant women during pregnancy and postpartum. RESULTS: In normal pregnancy, numbers of neutrophils and monocytes changed in relation to HNA‐2a expres‐ sion. HNA‐2a was also expressed intensively on monocytes from some pregnant women in the first and second trimesters. HNA‐2a expression and the number of cells markedly decreased postpartum. In threatened premature labor, the number of neutrophils decreased earlier than in normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: HNA‐2a expression may increase soon after fertilization. In this study, the results indicate that the change in the number of neutrophils and monocytes is related to HNA‐2a expression.