Will Chiu | Chinhoyi University Of Technology (original) (raw)
Papers by Will Chiu
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Aug 11, 2003
The physiological role of antibody-binding proteins in human seminal plasma and the potential rol... more The physiological role of antibody-binding proteins in human seminal plasma and the potential role of these proteins in infertility is relatively unknown. Literature on antibody-binding proteins. Human seminal plasma has a diverse effect on immune function of the reproductive tracts. This review describes (1) the presence of receptors like proteins that can react with monoclonal antibodies against Fcgamma receptors III (Fcgamma RIII) but are distinctly different from Fcgamma RIII; (2) IgG binding factors (IgGBF), a group of low molecular weight proteins that are capable of binding human IgG; (3) other proteins that can bind antibodies, such as prolactin-inducible protein and three other novel proteins that we have discovered. These proteins potentially all have the ability to reduce the interactions between antisperm antibodies and effector components of the immune system, such as phagocytic cells. Human seminal plasma contains proteins that can bind antibodies. However, to date our knowledge of these proteins especially, whether they have a physiological role in either the male and female reproductive tracts is limited.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Sep 5, 2002
The significance of antibody-mediated infertility is unclear and complicated by the finding of th... more The significance of antibody-mediated infertility is unclear and complicated by the finding of that antisperm antibodies are found both in fertile and infertile couples. Seminal plasma contains immunosuppressive factors, one such factor may be antibody-binding proteins (ABP's). Antibody-binding-proteins were purified using human IgG or IgG-Fc affinity chromatography columns. The purified antibody-binding proteins were characterized by their molecular weights, partial amino acid sequences, and immunoreactivities. Three proteins of molecular weight 74, 70 and 55 kDa and other low molecular weight proteins specifically bound to the IgG or IgG-Fc affinity columns demonstrating Fc-binding specificities. These proteins were not FcgammaRIII, IgG, or fragments of these proteins by their behaviors under reducing conditions, Western blot, and partial amino acid sequence analyses. Amino acid sequence data demonstrated some of these proteins to be novel. We have isolated and partially characterized several ABP's from seminal plasma. The IgG-binding proteins we have identified may protect spermatozoa against antibody-mediated damage by conferring protection to antibody-coated spermatozoa. If this hypothesis holds true, differences in the level or function of these ABP's may alter the status of fertility.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2003
Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility, but current tests for the de... more Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility, but current tests for the detection of ASA have poor diagnostic value. The inadequacy of current tests, in part, reflects their inability to define the antigenic specificity of the sperm proteins that the ASA react with. Identification of the sperm proteins that ASA bind to is a necessary preliminary step to the development of more useful diagnostic tests for ASA. Identification of sperm proteins that are the antigens for ASA may also lead to a greater understanding of the basic biology of fertility. We have used two-dimensional electrophoresis and western blots to identify a 16 kDa sperm protein as the antigen for ASA from infertile men. Amino acid sequencing by mass spectrometry of tryptic peptides from the protein identified it a previously uncharacterised protein of the α-lactablumin/c-type lysozyme family which we have named SPRASA. A polyclonal antiserum reactive with SPRASA indicated that SPRASA is localised to the acrosome of human, bovine, ovine and cervine sperm. SPRASA and a murine orthologue of SPRASA appear to be expressed primarily in the testis. We conclude that SPRASA is a highly conserved sperm protein that is the antigen for ASA from infertile men and that it is likely to be important in the fertility of humans and other species.
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mar 1, 2012
Objective: Surgical therapy for cervical carcinoma carries a significant risk of functional impai... more Objective: Surgical therapy for cervical carcinoma carries a significant risk of functional impairment to the bladder. This study evaluates the feasibility and complications of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NRH) in Taiwan. Methods: Between March 2010 and March 2011, consecutive patients diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer (FIGO stage Ia2 to Ib1) and tumor size < 3 cm were recruited prospectively to undergo NRH or conventional radical hysterectomy (RH). Patients with histories of urinary stress incontinence or bladder dysfunction disease were excluded. A modified Tokyo nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was performed. Results: A total of 30 patients were enrolled. Among these, 18 patients underwent NRH with successful bilaterally nerve-sparing procedures in 15 cases (83%), unilaterally nerve-sparing procedures in 2 cases (11%), and a failure in 1 case (6%). The indwelling catheter was removed on postoperative day 6. The mean AE SD duration from operation to spontaneous voiding was 6.8 AE 1.5 days for women who underwent NRH; the corresponding duration for women who underwent RH or failed NRH was 20.6 AE 3 days. None of the patients who underwent NRH required intermittent catheterization. All 12 patients who underwent RH needed self-catheterization after discharge. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative self-catheterization (p < 0.01) and bladder dysfunction (p < 0.006). Average satisfaction score analyzed by the Likert-scale questionnaire was 4.5 for the NRH group and 1.9 for RH group (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We concluded that the new technique of NRH can reduce postoperative bladder dysfunctions.
Human Reproduction, Feb 1, 2004
BACKGROUND: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility, but current test... more BACKGROUND: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility, but current tests for the detection of ASA have poor prognostic value. Identi®cation of the sperm proteins that ASA bind to may aid the development of more useful diagnostic tests. METHODS: One-and two-dimensional PAGE and western blotting analyses, as well as amino acid sequencing, were used to identify a novel sperm protein reactive with ASA (SPRASA) from infertile men. An antiserum reactive with SPRASA was produced by immunizing a rabbit with SPRASA excised from two-dimensional gels. This antiserum was used to demonstrate the localization of SPRASA on the sperm. RESULTS: Amino acid sequences derived from SPRASA matched those of a theoretical protein, XP-085564. This protein is derived from the C-type lysozyme/alpha-lactalbumin gene family. Immunohistochemistry indicates that SPRASA is localized to the acrosome. Western blot analysis revealed that 50 unselected individuals did not have antibodies that reacted with SPRASA. CONCLUSION: Only ASA from infertile men react with SPRASA, suggesting that this novel protein may be important in the processes of fertility. The identi®cation of SPRASA as the antigen for infertility-associated ASA raises the possibility of developing ®rst, antigen-speci®c tests for ASA, and secondly, more targeted treatment for immune-mediated infertility.
Fertility and Sterility, 2004
To review and critique the current English literature describing the effects of antisperm antibod... more To review and critique the current English literature describing the effects of antisperm antibodies (ASA) on mammalian fertility. Design: A comprehensive English language literature was searched using Medline and by hand-searching. Emphasis was placed on clinically relevant articles. Result(s): Results from the studies were extrapolated and the effects of ASA on fertility described. Conclusion(s): Antisperm antibodies may interfere with fertility. Not all ASA cause infertility. Current tests cannot differentiate the infertility-related ASA from those that do not interfere with infertility, because the antigenic specificities of these ASA are not known. The antigens which the infertility-related ASA must be characterized to allow an accurate detection and proper treatment for couples with ASA.
Human Reproduction, Apr 1, 2002
BACKGROUND: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility but current tests... more BACKGROUND: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility but current tests for the detection of ASA have poor prognostic value. The inadequacy of current tests may reflect the inability of these tests to define the antigenic specificity of the sperm proteins with which the ASA react. Identification of the sperm proteins that ASA bind to is a necessary preliminary step to the development of more useful diagnostic tests for ASA. METHODS: A sensitive Western blotting technique was used to compare the antigenic specificities of ASA from men who were infertile (n ⍧ 6) with those who were fertile following vasectomy reversal (n ⍧ 3). Normal fertile men (n ⍧ 3) and infertile men with known ASA (n ⍧ 4) were also included in the analysis. RESULTS: All men, including the normal fertile controls, had ASA detectable in our system. Several sperm proteins were identified that react with ASA from infertile but not fertile men. Quantitative differences in the binding of ASA to some proteins were also demonstrated. Additionally, we demonstrated that normal motile sperm are coated with an antibody that appears to be bound to sperm by a non-antigenic mechanism. CONCLUSION: Sera from all men contained ASA, but clearly some of these did not cause infertility. Characterization of the proteins that are antigens for ASA from infertile but not fertile men may allow the development of more accurate tests for infertility-inducing ASA. The significance of immunoglobulin G coated on normal sperm remains to be determined.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Aug 11, 2003
The physiological role of antibody-binding proteins in human seminal plasma and the potential rol... more The physiological role of antibody-binding proteins in human seminal plasma and the potential role of these proteins in infertility is relatively unknown. Literature on antibody-binding proteins. Human seminal plasma has a diverse effect on immune function of the reproductive tracts. This review describes (1) the presence of receptors like proteins that can react with monoclonal antibodies against Fcgamma receptors III (Fcgamma RIII) but are distinctly different from Fcgamma RIII; (2) IgG binding factors (IgGBF), a group of low molecular weight proteins that are capable of binding human IgG; (3) other proteins that can bind antibodies, such as prolactin-inducible protein and three other novel proteins that we have discovered. These proteins potentially all have the ability to reduce the interactions between antisperm antibodies and effector components of the immune system, such as phagocytic cells. Human seminal plasma contains proteins that can bind antibodies. However, to date our knowledge of these proteins especially, whether they have a physiological role in either the male and female reproductive tracts is limited.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Sep 5, 2002
The significance of antibody-mediated infertility is unclear and complicated by the finding of th... more The significance of antibody-mediated infertility is unclear and complicated by the finding of that antisperm antibodies are found both in fertile and infertile couples. Seminal plasma contains immunosuppressive factors, one such factor may be antibody-binding proteins (ABP's). Antibody-binding-proteins were purified using human IgG or IgG-Fc affinity chromatography columns. The purified antibody-binding proteins were characterized by their molecular weights, partial amino acid sequences, and immunoreactivities. Three proteins of molecular weight 74, 70 and 55 kDa and other low molecular weight proteins specifically bound to the IgG or IgG-Fc affinity columns demonstrating Fc-binding specificities. These proteins were not FcgammaRIII, IgG, or fragments of these proteins by their behaviors under reducing conditions, Western blot, and partial amino acid sequence analyses. Amino acid sequence data demonstrated some of these proteins to be novel. We have isolated and partially characterized several ABP's from seminal plasma. The IgG-binding proteins we have identified may protect spermatozoa against antibody-mediated damage by conferring protection to antibody-coated spermatozoa. If this hypothesis holds true, differences in the level or function of these ABP's may alter the status of fertility.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2003
Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility, but current tests for the de... more Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility, but current tests for the detection of ASA have poor diagnostic value. The inadequacy of current tests, in part, reflects their inability to define the antigenic specificity of the sperm proteins that the ASA react with. Identification of the sperm proteins that ASA bind to is a necessary preliminary step to the development of more useful diagnostic tests for ASA. Identification of sperm proteins that are the antigens for ASA may also lead to a greater understanding of the basic biology of fertility. We have used two-dimensional electrophoresis and western blots to identify a 16 kDa sperm protein as the antigen for ASA from infertile men. Amino acid sequencing by mass spectrometry of tryptic peptides from the protein identified it a previously uncharacterised protein of the α-lactablumin/c-type lysozyme family which we have named SPRASA. A polyclonal antiserum reactive with SPRASA indicated that SPRASA is localised to the acrosome of human, bovine, ovine and cervine sperm. SPRASA and a murine orthologue of SPRASA appear to be expressed primarily in the testis. We conclude that SPRASA is a highly conserved sperm protein that is the antigen for ASA from infertile men and that it is likely to be important in the fertility of humans and other species.
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mar 1, 2012
Objective: Surgical therapy for cervical carcinoma carries a significant risk of functional impai... more Objective: Surgical therapy for cervical carcinoma carries a significant risk of functional impairment to the bladder. This study evaluates the feasibility and complications of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NRH) in Taiwan. Methods: Between March 2010 and March 2011, consecutive patients diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer (FIGO stage Ia2 to Ib1) and tumor size < 3 cm were recruited prospectively to undergo NRH or conventional radical hysterectomy (RH). Patients with histories of urinary stress incontinence or bladder dysfunction disease were excluded. A modified Tokyo nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was performed. Results: A total of 30 patients were enrolled. Among these, 18 patients underwent NRH with successful bilaterally nerve-sparing procedures in 15 cases (83%), unilaterally nerve-sparing procedures in 2 cases (11%), and a failure in 1 case (6%). The indwelling catheter was removed on postoperative day 6. The mean AE SD duration from operation to spontaneous voiding was 6.8 AE 1.5 days for women who underwent NRH; the corresponding duration for women who underwent RH or failed NRH was 20.6 AE 3 days. None of the patients who underwent NRH required intermittent catheterization. All 12 patients who underwent RH needed self-catheterization after discharge. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative self-catheterization (p < 0.01) and bladder dysfunction (p < 0.006). Average satisfaction score analyzed by the Likert-scale questionnaire was 4.5 for the NRH group and 1.9 for RH group (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We concluded that the new technique of NRH can reduce postoperative bladder dysfunctions.
Human Reproduction, Feb 1, 2004
BACKGROUND: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility, but current test... more BACKGROUND: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility, but current tests for the detection of ASA have poor prognostic value. Identi®cation of the sperm proteins that ASA bind to may aid the development of more useful diagnostic tests. METHODS: One-and two-dimensional PAGE and western blotting analyses, as well as amino acid sequencing, were used to identify a novel sperm protein reactive with ASA (SPRASA) from infertile men. An antiserum reactive with SPRASA was produced by immunizing a rabbit with SPRASA excised from two-dimensional gels. This antiserum was used to demonstrate the localization of SPRASA on the sperm. RESULTS: Amino acid sequences derived from SPRASA matched those of a theoretical protein, XP-085564. This protein is derived from the C-type lysozyme/alpha-lactalbumin gene family. Immunohistochemistry indicates that SPRASA is localized to the acrosome. Western blot analysis revealed that 50 unselected individuals did not have antibodies that reacted with SPRASA. CONCLUSION: Only ASA from infertile men react with SPRASA, suggesting that this novel protein may be important in the processes of fertility. The identi®cation of SPRASA as the antigen for infertility-associated ASA raises the possibility of developing ®rst, antigen-speci®c tests for ASA, and secondly, more targeted treatment for immune-mediated infertility.
Fertility and Sterility, 2004
To review and critique the current English literature describing the effects of antisperm antibod... more To review and critique the current English literature describing the effects of antisperm antibodies (ASA) on mammalian fertility. Design: A comprehensive English language literature was searched using Medline and by hand-searching. Emphasis was placed on clinically relevant articles. Result(s): Results from the studies were extrapolated and the effects of ASA on fertility described. Conclusion(s): Antisperm antibodies may interfere with fertility. Not all ASA cause infertility. Current tests cannot differentiate the infertility-related ASA from those that do not interfere with infertility, because the antigenic specificities of these ASA are not known. The antigens which the infertility-related ASA must be characterized to allow an accurate detection and proper treatment for couples with ASA.
Human Reproduction, Apr 1, 2002
BACKGROUND: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility but current tests... more BACKGROUND: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be an important cause of infertility but current tests for the detection of ASA have poor prognostic value. The inadequacy of current tests may reflect the inability of these tests to define the antigenic specificity of the sperm proteins with which the ASA react. Identification of the sperm proteins that ASA bind to is a necessary preliminary step to the development of more useful diagnostic tests for ASA. METHODS: A sensitive Western blotting technique was used to compare the antigenic specificities of ASA from men who were infertile (n ⍧ 6) with those who were fertile following vasectomy reversal (n ⍧ 3). Normal fertile men (n ⍧ 3) and infertile men with known ASA (n ⍧ 4) were also included in the analysis. RESULTS: All men, including the normal fertile controls, had ASA detectable in our system. Several sperm proteins were identified that react with ASA from infertile but not fertile men. Quantitative differences in the binding of ASA to some proteins were also demonstrated. Additionally, we demonstrated that normal motile sperm are coated with an antibody that appears to be bound to sperm by a non-antigenic mechanism. CONCLUSION: Sera from all men contained ASA, but clearly some of these did not cause infertility. Characterization of the proteins that are antigens for ASA from infertile but not fertile men may allow the development of more accurate tests for infertility-inducing ASA. The significance of immunoglobulin G coated on normal sperm remains to be determined.