Immunological causes of recurrent miscarriages.

Recurrent miscarriage is commonly defined as three or more consecutive
miscarriages prior to the 20th week. It is a common problem affecting 1 to 2%
of all fertile couples and is a highly heterogeneous condition. An underlying
cause may be identified in about 25-50% of cases. Therefore 50-75% of the
couples are left with the burden of continuous uncertainty and clinicians
without means to treat these women. In the last decade several therapies are
investigated however none of these therapies has been proven effective.
In the first part of this project we aim to determine different immunological
causes of recurrent miscarriage of unknown etiology. These results will help to
identify these patients and to eventually develop effective therapies.

Does humoral and/or cellular rejection play a role in recurrent miscarriage of
unknown etiology?
Can biomarkers of humoral and/or cellular rejection be used for the detection
of patients who are likely to suffer a miscarriage in a next pregnancy?

1) A biobank of new couples attending the recurrent miscarriage clinic
2) A prospective cohort study to perform functional test with maternal
peripheral blood mononuclear cells

No experimental medication will be used.
Women will be treated according to local hospital protocol. No additional
physical examination is needed for this study.
Blood samples will be taken from the subjects and their partners.In addition
women will be asked to collect menstrual fluid during their period.
Partners will also be asked to collect semen one time. No additional risks or
burden are expected from the study.