목적 : 산모의 말초혈액 단핵세포를 배양하면 생물학적 효용성을 갖는 hCG를 분비한다. 특히, 임신 12주를 전후한 시기에 가장 많이 검출된다. hCG는 임신초에 있어서 황체 유지에 중요한 역할을 하며 특히, 면역관용에 중요한 기능하리라 생각되는데, TPA에 의해 hCG의 분비가 활성화된다. 본 연구는 hCG가 산모의 말초혈액 단핵세포 배양에 의해 생산됨을 확인하고, 또한 임신 유지에 어떤 중요성을 갖는가를 분석하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 임신 16주에서 19주 사이 20명과 대상군(남성 10명, 임신하지 않은 여성 10명)의 말초혈액 단핵세포를 TPA를 첨가하여 배양한 뒤, hCG mRNA를 추출하여 RT-PCR을 시행하였다. 결과 : 대상의 평균 나이는 31세였고, 20명 산모중 절박유산을 제외한 19명의 말초혈액 단핵세포에서 hCG mRNA가 발현되었다. 남성 간염환자를 제외한 대조군에서는 hCG mRNA의 발현이 없었다. 결론 : 본 연구를 통하여 말초혈액 단핵세포에서의 hCG 생산은 임신 유지에 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 사료된다.

Objective : Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in culture release a biologically active human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This effect is detectable during pregnancy with a maximum between the 16th and 19th week. HCG plays an important role for the corpus luteum rescue during the early gestational age and possibly for the immunotolerance. This study was performed to investigate the relationships between the productivity of cultured PBMC of pregnant women and the ability to maintain early pregnancy, and whether 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increases hCG sectetion by cultured PBMCs. Materials and Methods : PBMC were obtained from 20 pregnant women between 16th to 19th week of gestation , and cultured with TPA. Culture cells were harvested and hCG mRNA were extracted and RT-PCR were performed. Culture supernatants were collected and hCG concentration were determined by commercial RIA methods. Results : The mean age was 31.0 years old, 19 of 20 (95%) pregnant women's PBMC secereted hCG and expressed hCG mRNA, but in control group exept male hepatitis B patient, none of them produced hCG. TPA activated expression of hCG in PBMC in linear manner. Conclusion : Pregnant women's cultured PBMC secreted hCG, but not in non-pregnant or male. We could confirm the mRNA of hCG in PBMC as well in the placental control. The productivity of hCG in PBMC might be closely related with maintenance of early pregnancy.