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Abstract
Soluble human leukocyte antigen (sHLA) class I molecules have been described in all
human fluids. These molecules play a significant role in immune function. sHLA has
been shown to produce tolerance and to induce apoptosis in cytotoxic alloreactive
T cells. They are also present in the supernatant of many cultured cells. Similarly,
non-classic HLA class I antigens in soluble form are present in human fluids. Among
these, HLA-G is the most important because of its location in fetal tissue that suggests
maternal immunological tolerance of the fetal semiallograft. In our present study
we show that using two monoclonal antibodies, w6/32 and TP25.99, in the enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay allows the detection of non-classic sHLA class I molecules in
the medium from human embryo cultures. The sample were collected from oocytes cultures.
Oocyte donors were 11 women attending the in vitro fertilization program. The results
showed a significant association (chi2 = 9.66, p = 0.002) between sHLA antigens and
the oocyte cleavage rate measured 48 h after fertilization.