Fol. Biol. 2013, 59, 198-203
Immunodominant Semen Proteins II: Contribution of Seminal Proteins to Female Immune Infertility
Seminal fluid is a protective medium for sperm, but it also represents potential immunogenic structures for the female immune system. Antiseminal antibodies may threaten early fertilization. The aim of our work is to detect and identify seminal proteins that are related to female isoimmunization. In this report, we quantified serum anti-seminal IgG antibodies. Seminal proteins were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting. To identify IgG-binding proteins of interest, a proteomic approach was selected. The dominant seminal antigens were detected within the relative molecular mass ranging from 25 to 85 kDa and the isoelectric point from 5 to 7. The detected proteins were further identified as prostate-specific antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase, zinc-α-2-glycoprotein and zinc finger protein 778. Since these proteins were recognized by IgGs produced by infertile women and not by fertile women, we presume that major seminal antigens may play an important role in the pathogenesis of female immune infertility. Our study suggests the pattern of seminal proteins for further therapeutic attempts in the diagnosis of female immune infertility.
Keywords
IgG antibodies, female immune infertility, prostate-specific antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase.
Funding
This work was supported by the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IAA 600110902) and by specific university research (MSMT No. 20/2013).
References
Copyright
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
