Non-classic sHLA class I in human oocyte culture medium

Soluble human leukocyte antigen (sHLA) class I molecules have been describe d in all human fluids. These molecules play a significant role in immune fu nction. sHLA has been shown to produce tolerance and to induce apoptosis in cytotoxic alloreactive T cells. They are also present in the supernatant o f many cultured cells. Similarly, non-classic HLA class I antigens in solub le form are present in human fluids. Among these, HLA-G is the most importa nt because of its location in fetal tissue that suggests maternal immunolog ical tolerance of the fetal semiallograft. In our present study we show tha t using two monoclonal antibodies, w6/32 and TP25.99, in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay allows the detection of non-classic sHLA class I molecu les in the medium from human embryo cultures. The sample were collected fro m oocytes cultures. Oocyte donors were II women attending the in vitro fert ilization program. The results showed a significant association (chi(2) = 9 .66, p = 0.002) between sHLA antigens and the oocyte cleavage rate measured 48 h after fertilization. (C) American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.