SOLUBLE CLASS-I HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS (S-HLA) AND BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN AT DELIVERY

In this work we have quantified soluble class I histocompatibility antigens (s-HLA) and beta-2-microglobulin (beta-2-m) in sera of HIV+ or HIV- mothers at delivery and in cord blood sera of their newborn children. The results obtained for beta-2-m show that cord blood sera of newborn children have higher concentrations than their mothers, implying that most of the beta-2-m in the newborn is self-produced as described previously. s-HLA serum concentrations in the newborn children are significantly lower than in their mothers or in age-matched controls. Moreover, HIV+ mothers have significantly higher serum concentrations than HIV- mothers or an age-matched control group. These results suggest that s-HLA does not cross the placental barrier.