Changes in the blood serum levels of the co-stimulatory soluble B7-H4 molecule in pregnant women during the peripartal phase

Aim of the study: B7-H4, a transmembrane protein that negatively regulates T lymphocytes, seems to play a role in the suppression of the immune response at the maternal-fetal interface. The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of soluble B7-H4 prepartal and postpartal in women with spontaneous onset of labor and elective cesarian section. Method of study: Blood was obtained from 30 prepartal and postpartal women who delivered at the University Hospital of Essen between 2011 and 2012. These patients were divided into two subgroups depending on the advancement of labor. The sB7-H4 levels were determined b…