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Updated: Jun 12, 2025

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Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
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Dynamic Changes in T and B Lymphocyte Subsets Throughout Pregnancy: Establishing Reference Ranges and Clinical
Clinical Laboratory
|June 11, 2025
Summary
Pregnancy significantly alters immune cell populations, with specific T and B lymphocyte subsets changing throughout gestation. This study establishes new reference ranges for these immune cells during pregnancy for better clinical monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and pregnancy research.
- Hematology and clinical diagnostics.
Background:
- Maternal immune function undergoes significant adaptations during pregnancy.
- These adaptations differ from those in healthy non-pregnant adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference ranges for lymphocyte subpopulations during pregnancy.
- To investigate immune function changes across different gestational stages.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze peripheral blood T and B lymphocyte subpopulations.
- Participants were categorized into early, mid, and late pregnancy, postpartum, and postnatal groups.
Main Results:
- Seven lymphocyte indicators showed significant differences across pregnancy stages.
- Trends of increase or decrease were observed for specific naive, memory, and transitional lymphocyte subsets.
- Several lymphocyte subsets deviated from healthy adult reference ranges during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy is associated with significant, measurable changes in T and B lymphocyte subsets.
- Established reference ranges aid in understanding immune adaptations during gestation.
- Findings provide valuable data for clinical monitoring and management of pregnant individuals.
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