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Early pregnancy factor has immunosuppressive and growth factor properties
H Morton1, A C Cavanagh, S Athanasas-Platsis
1Department of Surgery, University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Australia.
Reproduction, Fertility, and Development
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Early pregnancy factor (EPF) is a substance produced by dividing cells, potentially regulating cell proliferation. While crucial for tumor and liver cell survival, its role in early embryo development is indirect, possibly modulating the maternal immune system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Early pregnancy factor (EPF) was initially identified as pregnancy-associated but is now understood to link with general cell development.
- EPF is a product of actively dividing cells, suggesting a role as a regulator of cell proliferation.
- Platelets offer a rich source for EPF isolation, enabling broader investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diverse sources and biological activity of Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF).
- To determine the role of EPF in cell survival and embryonic development.
- To explore EPF's potential as an immunological response modifier.
Main Methods:
- Purification of EPF from various sources including pregnancy serum, urine, cell culture media, and animal serum.
- Application of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for EPF isolation.
- Utilizing immobilized anti-EPF monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for specific binding assays.
- Passive immunization studies with anti-EPF MAbs in cell cultures and in vivo models.
Main Results:
- EPF was successfully purified and identified from diverse sources, with consistent biological activity.
- All purified EPF fractions showed specific binding to anti-EPF MAbs, indicating structural similarity.
- EPF is essential for the survival of proliferating tumor cells and post-partial hepatectomy liver cells.
- While not essential for in vitro pre-embryo development, EPF neutralization in vivo retards pre-embryo development, suggesting an indirect role.
Conclusions:
- EPF is a widely distributed molecule produced by various proliferating cells, not limited to pregnancy.
- EPF plays a critical, potentially indirect, role in supporting pre-embryo development, possibly via immune modulation.
- Further research is needed to elucidate EPF's autocrine growth factor potential during implantation.