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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Expression profiles of peripheral CD160+ lymphocytes during the course of healthy human pregnancy
Aliz Barakonyi1, Renata Weisdorn, Eva Miko
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Szigeti ut 12, Pecs, Hungary. aliz.barakonyi@aok.pte.hu
Problem:
CD160 receptor is expressed by natural killer (NK) and T-cell subsets, and after activation, it could enhance cytotoxicity or pro-inflammatory cytokine production on NK cells. Here, we investigated the phenotype of peripheral CD160+ cells during healthy pregnancy.
Method Of Study:
We analyzed the expression of CD69 activation marker, gamma/delta TCR, and NKG2A or NKG2D NK cell receptors on CD160+ lymphocytes of non-pregnant and healthy pregnant women at four different stages of pregnancy by flow cytometry.
Results:
In our hands, CD160 receptor-positive lymphocytes were present during pregnancy; however, they had different characteristics depending on gestational age. During implantation, CD160+ cells showed low activation rate, decreased NK receptor expression while 40% of Vδ2 + T cells expressed CD160 receptor. In turn, all the above parameters increased as pregnancy proceeds.
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that CD160+ lymphocytes could be able to play a role in the maintenance of healthy pregnancy.
