CD26 and CD30 expression on the surface of lymphocyte during normal pregnancy

It is increasingly apparent that the Th1/Th2 cell ratio is decreased during pregnancy. In a previous study, we revealed that combined analysis of soluble CD26 and CD30 might be a potent surrogate tool for evaluating the Th1/Th2 balance during pregnancy. Therefore, in the present study, we elucidated whether the CD26 and CD30 expression on the surface of lymphocyte is useful marker for Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes, respectively, during pregnancy with flow cytometric technique. The peripheral blood samples were obtained from 6 non-pregnant healthy women, 8 healthy pregnant women in the first trimester and 12 pregnant women in the third trimester. The mean percentages of CD26 expression did not differ significantly among these groups (p = 0.45). Also, the mean percentages of CD30 expression did not differ significantly among these groups (p = 0.32). From the present study, the expression of CD26 and CD30 did not appear to be a useful marker for Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes during pregnancy.