We investigated the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the female partner of infertile couples and the reproductive outcomes after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). We conducted a retrospective analysis on 8117 women from infertile couples who underwent IVF/ICSI treatment and evaluated the prevalence of HPV infection in these women. The prevalence of HPV infection in the female partner of infertile couples was 9.2% (747/8117). These HPV-infected female patients undergoing ART were divided into high-risk HPV (hrHPV) (n = 130) and low-risk HPV (lrHPV) groups (n = 94), and non-infected women patients formed the negative group (n = 126). Of the 747 cases infected with HPV, 529 showed hrHPV infection (70.82%; primarily genotypes 16, 52, 53, 58, and 59); 175 exhibited lrHPV infection (23.43%; primarily genotypes 6, 43, 44, 55, 61, and 81); and 43 cases were co-infected with hrHPV and lrHPV (5.76%). Except for the Day-3 high-quality embryo rate, there were no differences in ovum maturation, fertilization, implantation, clinical pregnancy, live birth, or miscarriage rates between women infected with HPV and non-infected women (p > 0.05); however, we noted an increased miscarriage rate after logistic regression analyses (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03–0.84; p = 0.041). For single-male-factor-induced infertility in couples (smHPV), although we likewise observed no differences in ovum maturation, fertilization, or implantation rates (p > 0.05) between the smHPV group and the negative group, we discerned diminutions in the Day-3 high-quality embryo rate (46.01% vs. 70.04%, p = 0.013), clinical pregnancy rate (46.67% vs. 57.94%, p = 0.003), and live birth rate (33.33% vs. 46.83%, p = 0.027) as well as an augmented miscarriage rate (11.11% vs. 4.76%, p = 0.003), respectively. Logistic regression analyses indicated that smHPV was a risk factor for decreased clinical pregnancy rate (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 2.31–7.53; p < 0.001) and live birth rate (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 0.81–2.14; p = 0.045) and elevated miscarriage rate (OR, 6.83; 95% CI, 2.22–21.00; p = 0.001). HPV infection in women was associated with increased miscarriage rate, and single-male-factor infertility influenced reproductive outcomes in couples undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. Both were potentially due to HPV infection in the couple.

Background. Immune checkpoint molecules are essential for modulating immune responses and maintaining self-tolerance. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved the treatment of a broad spectrum of cancers, many of them are also believed to play a critical role in the induction of immune related adverse events (irAEs) such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. For example, patients receiving anti-PD-1 based therapy frequently develop colitis. In addition, dysfunctional PD-1 signalling has also been linked to increasing susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, immune checkpoint molecule agonist which could, like their natural ligands, confer a great potential in suppressing excessively activated immune response observed in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Methods. In the first part, the proinflammation effects of a Pembrolizumab analogue was evaluated in a MC38-OVA colorectal tumor bearing mice treated with or without DSS. In the second part, an anti-hPD-1 agonistic antibody at 10 mg/kg was evaluated in acute DSS IBD model. Results. In the MC38-OVA colorectal cancer model, mice treated with Pembrolizumab analogue only or Pembrolizumab analogue plus 1.5% DSS showed significant tumor growth inhibition (100% TGI and 92.01% TGI, respectively at Day 27) compared to their respective control group, which suggests this Pembrolizumab analogue induced robust anti-tumor immunity against MC38-OVA tumors. Notably, 8/8 mice treated with Pembrolizumab analogue only showed complete tumor regression, while only 5/8 mice treated with Pembrolizumab analogue plus DSS showed complete tumor regression. Taken together, these results suggest DSS treatment leading to a proinflammatory context could compromise anti-hPD-1 anti-tumor efficacy. Moreover, mice treated with Pembrolizumab analogue plus DSS also showed 3.59% more Body Weight Loss (BWL) in comparison to 1.5% DSS only group, suggesting that Pembrolizumab analogue could exacerbate DSS induced colitis. In the acute DSS IBD model, mice treated with an agonistic anti-hPD-1 antibody showed significantly lower disease score (DAI 5.3 vs DAI 2.4) and less BWL (BWL 13.44% vs BWL 3.31%) in comparison to isotype control group. In addition, pathology results showed that mice treated with agonistic anti-hPD-1 exhibits significantly less inflammatory cell infiltration and colonic lesions when compared to isotype control group. Conclusion. In summary, we reported in this study that blocking of PD-L1/PD-1 signalling axis by a PD-1 antagonist activated T cell function which at the same time aggravated DSS induced colitis in mouse. In contrast, activation of PD-L1/PD-1 signalling pathway by a PD-1 agonist alleviated DSS induced colitis. Citation Format: Tao Yang, Rongfei Lu, kaixia lian, Likun Zhang, Dawei Wang, Xinhe Feng, Xiaoyu An, Jessie (Jingjing) Wang, Carl K. Edwards. PD-1/PD-L1 signalling axis, “a double-edged sword” in DSS induced colitis mouse model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5134.

Introduction: In carotid artery stenting (CAS), a guiding catheter (GC) placement to the appropriate position is the first step of the successful procedure. In normal settings, GC is navigated along with stable support of guidewire and inner‐catheter which are sent distally to external carotid artery. In cases of low‐positioned common carotid artery (CCA) lesions, however, safe GC placement without touching lesions is often difficult. Herein, we report the technique of safe GC navigation of “no‐touching” to the low‐position CCA plaque using Newton‐shaped stiff inner‐catheter. Methods: We reviewed CAS procedures with low‐positioned CCA lesions using “no‐touching” technique: a balloon guiding catheter (BGC) was coaxially advanced in combination with 4‐French Newton‐shaped stiff inner‐catheter (Newton‐T®, Medikit, Tokyo, Japan). With its advantage of shape and stiffness buffering the kickback force with support of lesser curvature of aortic arch, BGCs were navigated to the appropriate position without touching to the plaques. Results: The technique were applied in 5 cases (age: 73‐85 years old, 4 males, 4 left‐sided lesions) among the 37 consequent CAS cases. GC fixation by GooseNeck snare was used concurrently in 2 cases. BGCs were successfully navigated without touching plaques in all cases. CAS procedures were subsequently undergone and no complication was observed. Conclusion: GC navigation using “no‐touching” technique with Newton‐T catheter was safe and useful in CAS procedures for low‐positioned CCA lesions.