B cells acquire a unique and differential transcriptomic profile during pregnancy
Natalin Valeff1, Damian O Muzzio2, Franziska Matzner2
1Center for Pharmacological and Botanical Studies (CEFYBO-UBA-CONICET), Medical Faculty, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Genomics
|June 12, 2021
Summary
Pregnancy reduces B cell activation, leading to lower inflammatory cytokine production. This B cell hypo-responsiveness during gestation may aid fetal tolerance but increases infection risk in pregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Pregnancy significantly impacts immune system development and function, particularly B cells.
- B cell activation, initiated by the B cell receptor (BCR), is crucial for immune responses, including antibody production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the global gene expression changes in splenic B cells during pregnancy.
- To determine how pregnancy affects B cell activation and function.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide transcriptome profiling of splenic B cells from pregnant and non-pregnant mice.
- In silico analysis of B cell activation pathways.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) validation.
- In vitro stimulation of B cells from pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Main Results:
- Identified 1136 differentially expressed genes in B cells from pregnant mice.
- Observed reduced B cell activation through BCR signaling during pregnancy.
- B cells from pregnant women produced lower levels of inflammatory cytokines upon BCR stimulation.
Conclusions:
- B cells exhibit hypo-responsiveness during gestation, likely a mechanism for maternal immune tolerance of the fetus.
- This altered B cell state may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infections observed in pregnant women.
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