The role of gamma/delta T cells in the feto-maternal relationship

J Szekeres-Bartho1, A Barakonyi, E Miko

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Pecs University Medical School, H-7643 Pecs, Hungary. szjuli@main.pote.hu

Polymorphic MHC is absent from the trophoblast, therefore, it resists NK as well as CTL-mediated lysis in vitro. Activated gamma / delta TCR positive cells are significantly enriched in the decidua as well as in peripheral blood of healthy pregnant women. Human peripheral gamma / delta lymphocytes preferentially express the V gamma 9/V delta 2 TCR, whereas those of the decidua use the V delta 1 chain. These subpopulations are functionally polarized, the former being Th1, the latter Th2. Potentially cytotoxic V delta 2+ lymphocytes recognize HLA-E on the trophoblast via the CD94/NKG2A receptor, which induces an inhibitory signal, thus potentially inhibiting Th1 type cytokine production.

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