Association between cellular immune and preeclampsia and preterm birth: A Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Genetics
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Immune-inflammatory imbalances are implicated in preeclampsia (PE) and preterm birth (PB).
• The specific roles of immune factors in PE and PB pathogenesis remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if specific immune cell traits are causally associated with the risk of PE and PB.
• To identify potential immunophenotypes for pregnancy complications.

Main Methods:

• Mendelian randomization analysis was applied to 731 immune traits using publicly available genetic data.
• Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was the primary method, with sensitivity analyses for heterogeneity and pleiotropy.

Main Results:

• Several immune cell traits, including CD27 on CD24+ CD27+ B cells and CD80 on plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells, were causally linked to increased PE risk.
• HLA DR on Dendritic Cells showed a protective effect against PE.
• CD45 on CD33dim HLA DR- in myeloid cells decreased PB risk, while CD11b on Granulocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells increased PB risk.

Conclusions:

• Genetic evidence supports causal relationships between specific immune cell traits and the risk of PE and PB.
• Identified immune cell traits may serve as candidate biomarkers for future research into pregnancy complication etiology.