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TCRgammadelta + T lymphocytes in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions
K Psarra1, V Kapsimali, K Tarassi
1Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Immune cells, specifically T cells, may play a role in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (URSA). Research indicates altered T cell populations, particularly an increase in TCRgammadelta T cells, in women with URSA.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- The immune system, particularly cellular immunity, is implicated in pregnancy outcomes.
- Unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) involves complex immunological mechanisms.
- Lymphocyte subpopulations are potential contributors to URSA pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in the immunological mechanisms of URSA.
- To evaluate differences in lymphocyte profiles between women with URSA and controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry on whole blood samples.
- Analyzed specific lymphocyte subpopulations using monoclonal antibodies.
- Compared immune cell profiles in 244 women with URSA and 44 controls.
Main Results:
- Observed a statistically significant increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio in women with URSA.
- Found a significant decrease in the percentage of CD5+ CD19+ lymphocytes.
- Demonstrated a significant increase in T lymphocytes expressing TCRgammadelta, with a notable subgroup exhibiting elevated levels.
Conclusions:
- Women experiencing URSA represent a heterogeneous group regarding immunological parameters.
- Elevated TCRgammadelta+ T cells may contribute to the immune pathogenesis of fetal loss in a subset of women with URSA.
Problem:
It is generally accepted that the immune system and cellular immunity in particular are involved in the mechanisms affecting the outcome of gestation. In order to evaluate a putative role of lymphocytes in the immunological mechanisms of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (URSA), we studied peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in 244 women with URSA and 44 controls.
Method Of Study:
Direct immunofluorescence in whole blood with the appropriate combinations of monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry was used.
Results:
The study showed: a) a statistically significant increase of the mean CD4/CD8 ratio (2.12+/-0.84 vs 1.85+/-0.63, P = 0,039); b) a statistically significant decrease of the mean value of the percentage of CD5+ CD19+ lymphocytes (0.4+/-0.6 vs 1.4+/-0.78, P < 0.0001); and c) a statistically significant increase of the percentage of T lymphocytes expressing TCRgammadelta (4.68+/-3.19 vs 2.61+/-1.14, P < 0.0001). It should be noted that a statistically significant high number of women with URSA (72/195, 36.9%) showed an increased percentage of TCRgammadelta T cells (> or = 5%, where 5 equals the mean value + 2 standard deviations (SD) of the mean value of controls), whereas such a high percentage was not found in any control subject.
Conclusions:
It seems that women who experienced URSA comprise a heterogeneous population, as far as immunological parameters are concerned. At least in a subgroup of them, TCRgammadelta + T cells could be considered to play a role in the immune pathogenesis of fetal loss.