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Bonney EA, Johnson MR. The role of maternal T cell and macrophage activation in preterm birth: Cause or consequence? Placenta 2019; 79:53-61. [PMID: 30929747 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The role of the immune system in term (TL) and preterm labor (PTL) is unknown. Despite the fact that globally, PTL remains the most important cause of childhood mortality. Infection, typically of the fetal membranes, termed chorioamnionitis, is the best-understood driver of PTL, but the mechanisms underpinning other causes, including idiopathic and stretch-induced PTL, are unclear, but may well involve activation of the maternal immune system. The final common pathway of placental dysfunction, fetal membrane rupture, cervical dilation and uterine contractions are highly complex processes. At term, choriodecidual rather than myometrial inflammation is thought to drive the onset of labor and similar findings are present in different types of PTL including idiopathic PTL. Although accumulated data has confirmed an association between the immune response and preterm birth, there is yet a need to understand if this response is an initiator or a consequence of tissue-level dysregulation. This review focuses on the potential role of macrophages and T cells in innate and adaptive immunity relevant to preterm birth in humans and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA.
| | - Mark R Johnson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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52
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Hu C, Zhen Y, Pang B, Lin X, Yi H. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Are Regulated by Estradiol and Are a Predictive Marker for IVF Outcome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:521. [PMID: 31417498 PMCID: PMC6682648 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an effective means to treat infertility, but the pregnancy rate is still unsatisfactory and reliable markers to predict pregnancy outcome are ill-defined. Myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) are critically involved in decisions related to the acceptance or rejection of foreign fetal antigens by the maternal immune system. However, factors that regulate peripheral blood MDSC during pre-pregnancy are poorly defined. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the relationships among serum estradiol (E2) and endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, MDSC ratios, and pregnancy outcome associated with IVF. Patients undergoing IVF treatment (n = 54) were recruited from January to June 2018. Levels of E2 and VEGF were measured by ELISA, MDSC ratios among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were detected by flow cytometry, and the crosstalk among these parameters was analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of MDSC levels was plotted to assess this measure as an independent predictive factor for pregnancy. In addition, we analyzed the possible involvement of molecular pathways by bioinformatics. When E2 levels were <4,000 pg/ml, MDSC proportion was positively correlated with serum E2 and VEGF levels. However, when E2 levels were >4,000 pg/ml, MDSC ratio and VEGF levels were negatively correlated with E2. A ROC curve revealed that the percentage of MDSC had better sensitivity and specificity at a concentration of 8.22% (0.875 and 0.75, respectively; area under the curve (AUC) = 0.859) to predict pregnancy success, based on multiple logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, we found 12 target genes of E2 and VEGF, and also functional genes related to MDSC, indicating potential protein-protein interactions underlying these associations. In summary, we showed that E2, depending on its concentration, might play a dichotomous role in influencing the MDSC proportion by regulating VEGF. In IVF patients, an increased MDSC ratio among PBMC was highly correlated with elevated pregnancy rates, independent of the effects of E2, which might provide new insight into immune-related miscarriage and IVF failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Hu
- Central Laboratory of the Eastern Division, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yu Zhen
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiuying Lin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jilin Province People's Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Huanfa Yi
- Central Laboratory of the Eastern Division, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Huanfa Yi
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53
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van der Zwan A, van der Meer-Prins EMW, van Miert PPMC, van den Heuvel H, Anholts JDH, Roelen DL, Claas FHJ, Heidt S. Cross-Reactivity of Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells Against Allogeneic HLA-C: Possible Implications for Pregnancy Outcome. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2880. [PMID: 30574149 PMCID: PMC6291497 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterologous immunity of virus-specific T cells poses a potential barrier to transplantation tolerance. Cross-reactivity to HLA-A and -B molecules has broadly been described, whereas responses to allo-HLA-C have remained ill defined. In contrast to the transplant setting, HLA-C is the only polymorphic HLA molecule expressed by extravillous trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy. Uncontrolled placental viral infections, accompanied by a pro-inflammatory milieu, can alter the activation status and stability of effector T cells. Potential cross-reactivity of maternal decidual virus-specific T cells to fetal allo-HLA-C may thereby have detrimental consequences for the success of pregnancy. To explore the presence of cross-reactivity to HLA-C and the other non-classical HLA antigens expressed by trophoblasts, HLA-A and -B-restricted CD8+ T cells specific for Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, Varicella-Zoster virus, and Influenza virus were tested against target cells expressing HLA-C, -E, and -G molecules. An HLA-B*08:01-restricted EBV-specific T cell clone displayed cross-reactivity against HLA-C*01:02. Furthermore, cross-reactivity of HLA-C-restricted virus-specific CD8+ T cells was observed for HCMV HLA-C*06:02/TRA CD8+ T cell lines and clones against HLA-C*03:02. Collectively, these results demonstrate that cross-reactivity against HLA-C can occur and thereby may affect pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita van der Zwan
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Paula P M C van Miert
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Heleen van den Heuvel
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline D H Anholts
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dave L Roelen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Frans H J Claas
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Heidt
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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54
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Robertson SA, Care AS, Moldenhauer LM. Regulatory T cells in embryo implantation and the immune response to pregnancy. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:4224-4235. [PMID: 30272581 DOI: 10.1172/jci122182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
At implantation, the embryo expresses paternally derived alloantigens and evokes inflammation that can threaten reproductive success. To ensure a robust placenta and sustainable pregnancy, an active state of maternal immune tolerance mediated by CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) is essential. Tregs operate to inhibit effector immunity, contain inflammation, and support maternal vascular adaptations, thereby facilitating trophoblast invasion and placental access to the maternal blood supply. Insufficient Treg numbers or inadequate functional competence are implicated in idiopathic infertility and recurrent miscarriage as well as later-onset pregnancy complications stemming from placental insufficiency, including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. In this Review, we summarize the mechanisms acting in the conception environment to drive the Treg response and discuss prospects for targeting the T cell compartment to alleviate immune-based reproductive disorders.
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Elevated percentage of CD3 +T cells and pregnancy outcome in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 486:341-346. [PMID: 30130535 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even though the immune factor is not yet established as a cause of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), tons of other studies have shown that a significant proportion of immune abnormalities exist in RPL. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study with 850 women who were diagnosed with RPL. The percentages of CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+T cells of each participant, detected by flow cytometry, were obtained before pregnancy and at 6 weeks of gestation as part of their routine medical examination. RESULTS Peripheral blood CD3+ T cells prior to pregnancy (at baseline), increased significantly in women who had a miscarriage compared with the subsequent live birth group. Moreover, the percentage of CD3+ and CD3+CD4+T cells during pregnancy increased significantly as compared with the baseline level. After adjusting for potential confounders, the multiple regression equation showed that the CD3+ T cells <67.84% was associated with the risk of miscarriage (OR 1.05, 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.11, p = .04). Additionally, a nonlinear relationship was observed between the percentage of CD3+T cells and the risk of miscarriage. CONCLUSIONS The risk of miscarriage increased as the percentage of population with CD3+ value below 67.84% has increased, nevertheless, the miscarriage risk did not increase further when the level of CD3+T cells was >67.84%.
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56
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Shah NM, Imami N, Johnson MR. Progesterone Modulation of Pregnancy-Related Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1293. [PMID: 29973928 PMCID: PMC6020784 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone (P4) is an important steroid hormone for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and its functional withdrawal in reproductive tissue is linked with the onset of parturition. However, the effects of P4 on adaptive immune responses are poorly understood. In this study, we took a novel approach by comparing the effects of P4 supplementation longitudinally, with treatment using a P4 antagonist mifepristone (RU486) in mid-trimester pregnancies. Thus, we were able to demonstrate the immune-modulatory functions of P4. We show that, in pregnancy, the immune system is increasingly activated (CD38, CCR6) with greater antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell responses (granzyme B). Simultaneously, pregnancy promotes a tolerant immune environment (IL-10 and regulatory-T cells) that gradually reverses prior to the onset of labor. P4 suppresses and RU486 enhances antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell inflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ) and cytotoxic molecule release (granzyme B). P4 and RU486 effectively modulate immune cell-mediated interactions, by regulating differentiated memory T cell subset sensitivity to antigen stimulation. Our results indicate that P4 and RU486, as immune modulators, share a reciprocal relationship. These data unveil key contributions of P4 to the modulation of the maternal immune system and suggests targets for future modulation of maternal immune function during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishel M. Shah
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nesrina Imami
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R. Johnson
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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57
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Lower FOXP3 mRNA Expression in First-Trimester Decidual Tissue from Uncomplicated Term Pregnancies with a Male Fetus. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:1950879. [PMID: 30003112 PMCID: PMC5996436 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1950879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancies with a male fetus are associated with higher risks of pregnancy complications through maladaptation of the maternal immune system. The pathophysiology of this phenomenon is unknown. A possible pathway could be a fetal sex-dependent maternal immune response, since males have a Y chromosome encoding specific allogenic proteins, possibly contributing to a different response and higher complication risks. To analyze whether fetal sex affects mRNA expression of maternal immune genes in early pregnancy, real-time PCR quantification was performed in the decidual tissue from primigravid pregnancies (n = 20) between 10 and 12 weeks with uncomplicated term outcomes. Early-pregnancy decidual mRNA expression of the regulatory T-cell marker, FOXP3, was sixfold lower (p < 0.01) in pregnancies with a male fetus compared to pregnancies with a female fetus. Additionally, mRNA expression of IFNγ was sixfold (p < 0.05) lower in pregnancies with a male fetus. The present data imply maternal immunologic differences between pregnancies with male and female fetuses which could be involved in different pregnancy pathophysiologic outcomes. Moreover, this study indicates that researchers in reproductive immunology should always consider fetal sex bias.
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58
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Porrett PM. Biologic mechanisms and clinical consequences of pregnancy alloimmunization. Am J Transplant 2018; 18:1059-1067. [PMID: 29369525 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Alloimmunization occurs during pregnancy when tissue antigens derived from the fetus and/or placenta prime maternal immune cells to divide and differentiate. For many women, the result of pregnancy alloimmunization is the formation of anti-HLA antibody that can endure for decades and preclude transplantation by limiting donor compatibility. Pregnancy alloimmunization may also generate memory B cells that can rapidly produce anti-HLA antibody after transplantation as well as pathogenic memory T cells, which pose a threat to graft survival. However, emerging data suggest that pregnancy also programs the differentiation of anergic, dysfunctional, and regulatory T cell populations, which may not mediate accelerated graft rejection. Hence, some of the immune mechanisms responsible for maternal immunologic tolerance of the fetus may persist into postpartum life and affect the response to an allograft. This review discusses these emerging data as well as the persistent knowledge gaps that affect women at multiple stages of their transplant care.
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59
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Zhou JZ, Way SS, Chen K. Immunology of Uterine and Vaginal Mucosae: (Trends in Immunology 39, 302-314, 2018). Trends Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29530651 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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60
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Zhou JZ, Way SS, Chen K. Immunology of the Uterine and Vaginal Mucosae. Trends Immunol 2018; 39:302-314. [PMID: 29433961 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Along with the maintenance of symbiotic mutualism with commensal microbes and protection against invasive infections common to all mucosal barrier tissues, female reproductive tissues have additional, unique tasks that include dynamic cyclic cellular turnover in menstruation and immunological tolerance to genetically foreign fetal antigens in pregnancy. Here we review current knowledge on distinct features of the immune cells in female reproductive tissue with regard to antimicrobial host defense and adaptations to accommodate the fetus during pregnancy. Outstanding areas for future research to obtain new functional insights on this enigmatic mucosal barrier are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Z Zhou
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Disease, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kang Chen
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Jiangsu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; Mucosal Immunology Studies Team, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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61
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Maternal effector T cells within decidua: The adaptive immune response to pregnancy? Placenta 2017; 60:140-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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62
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Jasti S, Farahbakhsh M, Nguyen S, Petroff BK, Petroff MG. Immune response to a model shared placenta/tumor-associated antigen reduces cancer risk in parous mice. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:134-144. [PMID: 28395331 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.144907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During human pregnancy, paternally inherited antigens expressed by the fetal-placental unit can elicit expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. These cells can persist for years as memory T cells, but their effects on long-term maternal health are unknown. Shared placenta/tumor-associated antigens are expressed by placenta and tumors, but are minimally expressed or absent in normal adult tissues. We hypothesized that maternal T cells elicited against these antigens can alter risk of cancers expressing the same antigen after pregnancy, and tested this in mice using chicken ovalbumin (OVA) as a surrogate shared placenta/tumor antigen. Hemizygous OVA transgenic males were bred to wild-type C57BL/6 females (H2b haplotype) such that the fetuses inherited and expressed OVA. Maternal OVA/H2Kb-specific CD8+ T cells became detectable during gestation, and persisted in some animals for up to 24 weeks. To determine whether these cells might influence growth of OVA-expressing tumors in OVA-bred females, E.G7-OVA thymoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously in OVA-bred, wild-type bred, and virgin females, and monitored for growth. OVA-bred mice had prolonged survival as compared to virgin mice and the progression of tumors was delayed in comparison to wild-type bred and virgin females. Thus, paternally inherited OVA antigen elicited a CD8+ T cell response during pregnancy that was associated with delayed growth of OVA-expressing tumors following pregnancy. These data suggest a possible role of antigen-specific T cells in protecting parous females against tumors bearing shared placenta/tumor antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Jasti
- Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Mina Farahbakhsh
- Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Sean Nguyen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Brian K Petroff
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Margaret G Petroff
- Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.,Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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63
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Powell RM, Lissauer D, Tamblyn J, Beggs A, Cox P, Moss P, Kilby MD. Decidual T Cells Exhibit a Highly Differentiated Phenotype and Demonstrate Potential Fetal Specificity and a Strong Transcriptional Response to IFN. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:3406-3417. [PMID: 28986438 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Immune tolerance during human pregnancy is maintained by a range of modifications to the local and systemic maternal immune system. Lymphoid infiltration is seen at the implantation site of the fetal-maternal interface, and decidual NK cells have been demonstrated to facilitate extravillous trophoblast invasion into maternal decidua during the first trimester, optimizing hemochorial placentation. However, although there is considerable T cell infiltration of the maternal decidua, the functional properties of this T cell response remain poorly defined. We investigated the specificity and regulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells obtained from human third trimester decidua and demonstrated that decidual CD4+ and CD8+ T cells exhibit a highly differentiated effector memory phenotype in comparison with peripheral blood and display increased production of IFN-γ and IL-4. Moreover, decidual T cells proliferated in response to fetal tissue, and depletion of T regulatory cells led to an increase in fetal-specific proliferation. HY-specific T cells were detectable in the decidua of women with male pregnancies and were shown to be highly differentiated. Transcriptional analysis of decidual T cells revealed a unique gene profile characterized by elevated expression of proteins associated with the response to IFN signaling. These data have considerable importance both for the study of healthy placentation and for the investigation of the potential importance of fetal-specific alloreactive immune responses within disorders of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Powell
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Birmingham Health Partners, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom;
| | - David Lissauer
- Centre for Women's and Newborn Health, Birmingham Health Partners, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Tamblyn
- Centre for Women's and Newborn Health, Birmingham Health Partners, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.,Centre of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Beggs
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; and
| | - Philip Cox
- Department of Perinatal Pathology, Centre of Women's and Children's Health, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Moss
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Birmingham Health Partners, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Mark D Kilby
- Centre for Women's and Newborn Health, Birmingham Health Partners, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.,Centre of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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64
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Human uterine lymphocytes acquire a more experienced and tolerogenic phenotype during pregnancy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2884. [PMID: 28588205 PMCID: PMC5460245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03191-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy requires a delicate immune balance that nurtures the allogeneic fetus, while maintaining reactivity against pathogens. Despite increasing knowledge, data is lacking on the transition of pre-pregnancy endometrial lymphocytes to a pregnancy state. Here, we immunophenotyped lymphocytes from endometrium (MMC), term decidua parietalis (DPMC), and PBMC for direct comparison. We found that the immune cell composition of MMC and DPMC clearly differ from each other, with less NK-cells, and more NKT-cells and T-cells in DPMC. An increased percentage of central memory and effector memory T-cells, and less naive T-cells in DPMC indicates that decidual T-cells are more experienced than endometrial T-cells. The increased percentage of CD4+CD25highCD127- Treg in DPMC, including differentiated Treg, is indicative of a more experienced and tolerogenic environment during pregnancy. The Th cell composition of both MMC and DPMC was different from PBMC, with a preference for Th1 over Th2 in the uterine environment. Between MMC and DPMC, percentages of Th cell subsets did not differ significantly. Our results suggest that already before pregnancy a tightly controlled Th1/Th2/Th17 balance is present. These findings create opportunities to further investigate the underlying immune mechanism of pregnancy complications using menstrual blood as a source for endometrial lymphocytes.
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65
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Maduro MR. In the Spotlight. Reprod Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719117695151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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66
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Kieffer TE, Faas MM, Scherjon SA, Prins JR. Pregnancy persistently affects memory T cell populations. J Reprod Immunol 2017; 119:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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67
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Crespo ÂC, van der Zwan A, Ramalho-Santos J, Strominger JL, Tilburgs T. Cytotoxic potential of decidual NK cells and CD8+ T cells awakened by infections. J Reprod Immunol 2017; 119:85-90. [PMID: 27523927 PMCID: PMC5290261 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
To establish a healthy pregnancy the maternal immune system must tolerate fetal allo-antigens, yet remain competent to respond to infections. The ability of decidual NK cells (dNK) to promote migration of fetal extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) and placental growth as well as the capacity of EVT to promote immune tolerance are topics of high interest and extensive research. However, the problem of how dNK and decidual CD8+ T cells (CD8+ dT) provide immunity to infections of the placenta and the mechanisms that regulate their cytolytic function has thus far largely been ignored. Fetal EVT are the most invasive cells of the placenta and directly interact with maternal decidual immune cells at this maternal-fetal interface. Besides the expression of non-polymorphic HLA-E and HLA-G molecules that are associated with immune tolerance, EVT also express highly polymorphic HLA-C molecules that can serve as targets for maternal dNK and CD8+ dT responses. HLA-C expression by EVT has a dual role as the main molecule to which immune tolerance needs to be established and as the only molecule that can present pathogen-derived peptides and provide protective immunity when EVT are infected. The focus of this review is to address the regulation of cytotoxicity of dNK and CD8+ dT, which is essential for maternal-fetal immune tolerance as well as recent evidence that both cell types can provide immunity to infections at the maternal-fetal interface. A particular emphasis is given to the role of HLA-C expressed by EVT and its capacity to elicit dNK and CD8+ dT responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ângela C Crespo
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; PhD Program in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Anita van der Zwan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - João Ramalho-Santos
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jack L Strominger
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tamara Tilburgs
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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An altered endometrial CD8 tissue resident memory T cell population in recurrent miscarriage. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41335. [PMID: 28112260 PMCID: PMC5256279 DOI: 10.1038/srep41335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
When trying to conceive 1% of couples have recurrent miscarriages, defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses. This is not accounted for by the known incidence of chromosomal aneuploidy in miscarriage, and it has been suggested that there is an immunological aetiology. The endometrial mucosa is populated by a variety of immune cells which in addition to providing host pathogen immunity must facilitate pregnancy. Here we characterise the endometrial CD8-T cell population during the embryonic window of implantation and find that the majority of cells are tissue resident memory T cells with high levels of CD69 and CD103 expression, proteins that prevent cells egress. We demonstrate that unexplained recurrent miscarriage is associated with significantly decreased expression of the T-cell co-receptor CD8 and tissue residency marker CD69. These cells differ from those found in control women, with less expression of CD127 indicating a lack of homeostatic cell control through IL-7 signalling. Nevertheless this population is resident in the endometrium of women who have RM, more than three months after the last miscarriage, indicating that the memory CD8-T cell population is altered in RM patients. This is the first evidence of a differing pre-pregnancy phenotype in endometrial immune cells in RM.
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Bonney EA, Howard A, Krebs K, Begin K, Veilleux K, Gokina NI. Impact of Immune Deficiency on Remodeling of Maternal Resistance Vasculature 4 Weeks Postpartum in Mice. Reprod Sci 2017; 24:514-525. [PMID: 27899739 DOI: 10.1177/1933719116678691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy manifests changes in the vascular and immune systems that persist postpartum (PP), have important implications for future pregnancies, and may modify responses to cardiovascular stress in late life. The association between immune and vascular function and the generation or progression of cardiovascular disease beg the question of whether altered immunity modifies pregnancy-induced changes in the vasculature. Our objective was to compare changes in the function and remodeling of systemic resistance vessels 4 weeks PP in normal C57BL/6 (B6), and immunodeficient mice recombinase 1-deficient/B6 ( Rag1-/-). Immune deficiency did not change the responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) and phenylephrine at baseline but decreased arterial distensibility and increased stiffness PP. Adoptive transfer of CD8 T cells into Rag1-/- mice decreased the response to ACh while increasing distensibility and wall thickness. When compared to PP Rag1-/-, vessels from PP CD4-deficient mice, which have B cells and CD8 T cells, but no CD4 cells, show increased distensibility and decreased responsiveness to ACh in a pattern similar to that seen in Rag1-/- given CD8 T cells prior to mating. These studies suggest a key role for T cell, particularly CD8 T cell, associated factors in the PP remodeling of maternal resistance vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- 1 Division of Reproductive Science Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Ann Howard
- 1 Division of Reproductive Science Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Kendall Krebs
- 1 Division of Reproductive Science Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Kelly Begin
- 1 Division of Reproductive Science Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Kelsey Veilleux
- 1 Division of Reproductive Science Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Natalia I Gokina
- 1 Division of Reproductive Science Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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Ghaebi M, Nouri M, Ghasemzadeh A, Farzadi L, Jadidi-Niaragh F, Ahmadi M, Yousefi M. Immune regulatory network in successful pregnancy and reproductive failures. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 88:61-73. [PMID: 28095355 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune system must tolerate semiallogenic fetus to establish and maintain a successful pregnancy. Despite the existence of several strategies of trophoblast to avoid recognition by maternal leukocytes, maternal immune system may react against paternal alloantigenes. Leukocytes are important components in decidua. Not only T helper (Th)1/Th2 balance, but also regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in pregnancy. Although the frequency of Tregs is elevated during normal pregnancies, their frequency and function are reduced in reproductive defects such as recurrent miscarriage and preeclampsia. Tregs are not the sole population of suppressive cells in the decidua. It has recently been shown that regulatory B10 (Breg) cells participate in pregnancy through secretion of IL-10 cytokine. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature developing precursors of innate myeloid cells that are increased in pregnant women, implying their possible function in pregnancy. Natural killer T (NKT) cells are also detected in mouse and human decidua. They can also affect the fetomaternal tolerance. In this review, we will discuss on the role of different immune regulatory cells including Treg, γd T cell, Breg, MDSC, and NKT cells in pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahnaz Ghaebi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aliyeh Ghasemzadeh
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Laya Farzadi
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Ahmadi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Abstract
Previous research has indicated that biological older brothers increase the odds of androphilia in males. This finding has been termed the fraternal birth order effect. The maternal immune hypothesis suggests that this effect reflects the progressive immunization of some mothers to male-specific antigens involved in fetal male brain masculinization. Exposure to these antigens, as a result of carrying earlier-born sons, is hypothesized to produce maternal immune responses towards later-born sons, thus leading to female-typical neural development of brain regions underlying sexual orientation. Because this hypothesis posits mechanisms that have the potential to be active in any situation where a mother gestates repeated male fetuses, a key prediction is that the fraternal birth order effect should be observable in diverse populations. The present study assessed the association between sexual orientation and birth order in androphilic male-to-female transsexuals in Brazil, a previously unexamined population. Male-to-female transsexuals who reported attraction to males were recruited from a specialty gender identity service in southern Brazil (n=118) and a comparison group of gynephilic non-transsexual men (n=143) was recruited at the same hospital. Logistic regression showed that the transsexual group had significantly more older brothers and other siblings. These effects were independent of one another and consistent with previous studies of birth order and male sexual orientation. The presence of the fraternal birth order effect in the present sample provides further evidence of the ubiquity of this effect and, therefore, lends support to the maternal immune hypothesis as an explanation of androphilic sexual orientation in some male-to-female transsexuals.
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Abstract
The maternal immune system is complex and governed by multiple hormonal and metabolic factors, including those provided to the mother via the fetus. Understanding of the balance between maternal tolerance and protection of the fetus may require thinking from multiple theoretical approaches to the general problem of immune activation and tolerance. This article provides a brief review of the immune system, with aspects relevant to pregnancy. The references include reviews that expand on the elements discussed. The article also uses different models of immune system activation and tolerance to provide a theoretical understanding of the problem of maternal tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Given Building Room C-246, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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Abstract
The maternal immune system is complex and governed by multiple hormonal and metabolic factors, including those provided to the mother via the fetus. Understanding of the balance between maternal tolerance and protection of the fetus may require thinking from multiple theoretical approaches to the general problem of immune activation and tolerance. This article provides a brief review of the immune system, with aspects relevant to pregnancy. The references include reviews that expand on the elements discussed. The article also uses different models of immune system activation and tolerance to provide a theoretical understanding of the problem of maternal tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Given Building Room C-246, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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Saito S, Nakabayashi Y, Nakashima A, Shima T, Yoshino O. A new era in reproductive medicine: consequences of third-party oocyte donation for maternal and fetal health. Semin Immunopathol 2016; 38:687-697. [DOI: 10.1007/s00281-016-0577-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Pan T, Zhong L, Wu S, Cao Y, Yang Q, Cai Z, Cai X, Zhao W, Ma N, Zhang W, Zhang H, Zhou J. 17β-Oestradiol enhances the expansion and activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells via signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 signalling in human pregnancy. Clin Exp Immunol 2016; 185:86-97. [PMID: 26969967 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During a successful pregnancy, the maternal immune system plays a critical role in maintaining immunotolerance towards semi-allogeneic fetal antigens. Recent studies have indicated that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are active players in establishing fetal-maternal tolerance; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we observed a significant expansion of monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in the peripheral blood of pregnant women, which suppressed T cell responses in a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner and required cell-cell contact. The number of M-MDSCs correlated positively with serum oestrogen and progesterone levels. Administration of 17β-oestradiol, but not progesterone, enhanced both the expansion and suppressive activity of M-MDSCs through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3. Pretreatment with STAT-3 inhibitor JSI-124 almost completely abrogated the effects of 17β-oestradiol on MDSCs. Collectively, these results demonstrate that 17β-oestradiol-induced STAT-3 signalling plays an important role in both the expansion and activation of MDSCs during human pregnancy, which may benefit the development of novel therapeutic strategies for prevention of immune-related miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Pan
- Program in Immunology, Affiliated Guangzhou Women and Childrens Medical Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine.,Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
| | - L Zhong
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
| | - S Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangzhou
| | - Y Cao
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
| | - Q Yang
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
| | - Z Cai
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangzhou
| | - X Cai
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangzhou
| | - W Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangzhou
| | - N Ma
- National-regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen
| | - W Zhang
- National-regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen
| | - H Zhang
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou.,Department of Cell Biology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - J Zhou
- Program in Immunology, Affiliated Guangzhou Women and Childrens Medical Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine.,Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou.,Department of Cell Biology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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76
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Kragh M, Larsen JM, Thysen AH, Rasmussen MA, Wolsk HM, Bisgaard H, Brix S. Divergent response profile in activated cord blood T cells from first-born child implies birth-order-associated in utero immune programming. Allergy 2016; 71:323-32. [PMID: 26505887 DOI: 10.1111/all.12799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND First-born children are at higher risk of developing a range of immune-mediated diseases. The underlying mechanism of 'birth-order effects' on disease risk is largely unknown, but in utero programming of the child's immune system may play a role. OBJECTIVE We studied the association between birth order and the functional response of stimulated cord blood T cells. METHOD Purified cord blood T cells were polyclonally activated with anti-CD3-/anti-CD28-coated beads in a subgroup of 28 children enrolled in the COPSAC2010 birth cohort. Expression levels of seven activation markers on helper and cytotoxic T cells as well as the percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-10 was measured in the supernatants. RESULTS IL-10 secretion (P = 0.007) and CD25 expression on CD4(+) helper T cells (P = 0.0003) in the activated cord blood T cells were selectively reduced in first-born children, while the percentage of circulating CD4(+) CD25(+) cord blood T cells was independent of birth order. CONCLUSION First-born infants display a reduced anti-inflammatory profile in T cells at birth. This possible in utero 'birth-order' T-cell programming may contribute to later development of immune-mediated diseases by increasing overall immune reactivity in first-born children as compared to younger siblings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Kragh
- Center for Biological Sequence Analysis; Department of Systems Biology; Technical University of Denmark; Lyngby Denmark
| | - J. M. Larsen
- Center for Biological Sequence Analysis; Department of Systems Biology; Technical University of Denmark; Lyngby Denmark
| | - A. H. Thysen
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood; Herlev and Gentofte Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - M. A. Rasmussen
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood; Herlev and Gentofte Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - H. M. Wolsk
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood; Herlev and Gentofte Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - H. Bisgaard
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood; Herlev and Gentofte Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - S. Brix
- Center for Biological Sequence Analysis; Department of Systems Biology; Technical University of Denmark; Lyngby Denmark
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77
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Pan T, Liu Y, Zhong LM, Shi MH, Duan XB, Wu K, Yang Q, Liu C, Wei JY, Ma XR, Shi K, Zhang H, Zhou J. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells are essential for maintaining feto-maternal immunotolerance via STAT3 signaling in mice. J Leukoc Biol 2016; 100:499-511. [PMID: 27203698 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1a1015-481rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune system tolerance to the semiallogeneic fetus is essential for a successful pregnancy; however, the mechanisms underlying this immunotolerance have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that myeloid-derived suppressor cells play an important role in maintaining feto-maternal tolerance. A significant expansion of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells was observed in multiple immune organs and decidual tissues from pregnant mice. Pregnancy-derived granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells suppressed T cell responses in a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner and required direct cell-cell contact. Mechanistic studies showed that progesterone facilitated differentiation and activation of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, mediated through STAT3 signaling. The STAT3 inhibitor JSI-124 and a specific short hairpin RNA completely abrogated the effects of progesterone on granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells. More importantly, granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell depletion dramatically enhanced the abortion rate in normal pregnant mice, whereas adoptive transfer of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells clearly reduced the abortion rate in the CBA/J X DBA/2J mouse model of spontaneous abortion. These observations collectively demonstrate that granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells play an essential role in the maintenance of fetal immunotolerance in mice. Furthermore, our study supports the notion that in addition to their well-recognized roles under pathologic conditions, myeloid-derived suppressor cells perform important functions under certain physiologic circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Pan
- Program in Immunology, Affiliated Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yufeng Liu
- Program in Immunology, Affiliated Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Mei Zhong
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mao Hua Shi
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Bing Duan
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kang Wu
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Yang
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Yang Wei
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing Ru Ma
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Shi
- Department of Gynecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Chinese Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; and
| | - Jie Zhou
- Program in Immunology, Affiliated Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Human Virology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Chinese Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; and
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78
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Han M, Yao Y, Zeng W, Wang Y, Feng L, Zhao J. Complexes of trophoblastic peptides and heat shock protein 70 as a novel contraceptive vaccine in a mouse model. Reprod Biomed Online 2016; 32:457-65. [PMID: 26847794 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The concept of contraceptive vaccines has interested reproductive biologists and immunologists for nearly 2 decades, but no approach has been approved. In this study, a new immunocontraceptive vaccine that targets placental trophoblasts was expored. We demonstrated that after in-vitro binding with heat shock protein 70, trophoblast-derived peptides can activate T cells both in vitro and in vivo. The activated T cells have a Th1 bias and specifically cause cytolysis of trophoblasts, leading to the termination of pregnancy. Such activated T cells seem to have an effect on early gestation, rather than influencing preimplantation. We did not observe side-effects of this vaccine in mice. In conclusion, a novel contraceptive strategy is described that uses heat shock protein 70-trophoblastic peptide complexes to generate a specific T-cell immune response against placental trophoblasts. This type of vaccine targeting the post-implantation phase does not generate a permanent effect but possibly raises an ethical issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wangjiang Zeng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yanfang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Lin Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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79
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Moffett A, Hiby SE, Sharkey AM. The role of the maternal immune system in the regulation of human birthweight. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:20140071. [PMID: 25602075 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human birthweight is subject to stabilizing selection. Large babies are at risk of obstetric complications such as obstructed labour, which endangers both mother and child. Small babies are also at risk with reduced survival. Fetal growth requires remodelling of maternal spiral arteries to provide an adequate maternal blood supply to the placenta. This arterial transformation is achieved by placental trophoblast cells, which invade into the uterine wall. Under-invasion is associated with fetal growth restriction; but if invasion is excessive large babies can result. A growing body of evidence suggests that this process is controlled by interactions between killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) expressed on maternal uterine natural killer cells (uNK) and their corresponding human leukocyte antigen-C (HLA-C) ligands on invading trophoblast. Mothers with the KIR AA genotype and a fetus with a paternal HLA-C2 allele tend to have small babies, because this combination inhibits cytokine secretion by uNK. Mothers with the activating KIR2DS1 gene and an HLA-C2 fetus are more likely to have large babies. When KIR2DS1 binds to HLA-C2 this increases secretion of cytokines that enhance trophoblast invasion. We conclude that specific combinations of the highly polymorphic gene systems, KIR and HLA-C, contribute to successful reproduction by maintaining birthweight between two extremes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Susan E Hiby
- Department of Pathology and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Andrew M Sharkey
- Department of Pathology and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
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80
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Eikmans M, van Halteren AGS, van Besien K, van Rood JJ, Drabbels JJM, Claas FHJ. Naturally acquired microchimerism: implications for transplantation outcome and novel methodologies for detection. CHIMERISM 2015; 5:24-39. [PMID: 24762743 DOI: 10.4161/chim.28908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Microchimerism represents a condition where one individual harbors genetically distinct cell populations, and the chimeric population constitutes <1% of the total number of cells. The most common natural source of microchimerism is pregnancy. The reciprocal cell exchange between a mother and her child often leads to the stable engraftment of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic stem cells in both parties. Interaction between cells from the mother and those from the child may result in maternal immune cells becoming sensitized to inherited paternal alloantigens of the child, which are not expressed by the mother herself. Vice versa, immune cells of the child may become sensitized toward the non-inherited maternal alloantigens of the mother. The extent of microchimerism, its anatomical location, and the sensitivity of the techniques used for detecting its presence collectively determine whether microchimerism can be detected in an individual. In this review, we focus on the clinical consequences of microchimerism in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and propose concepts derived from data of epidemiologic studies. Next, we elaborate on the latest molecular methodology, including digital PCR, for determining in a reliable and sensitive way the extent of microchimerism. For the first time, tools have become available to isolate viable chimeric cells from a host background, so that the challenges of establishing the biologic mechanisms and function of these cells may finally be tackled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Eikmans
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid G S van Halteren
- Immunology Laboratory; Willem Alexander Children's Hospital; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jon J van Rood
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden, the Netherlands; Europdonor Foundation; Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jos J M Drabbels
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Frans H J Claas
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden, the Netherlands
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81
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van Halteren AGS, Dierselhuis MP, Netelenbos T, Fechter M. Donor parity no longer a barrier for female-to-male hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. CHIMERISM 2015; 5:56-8. [PMID: 24933732 DOI: 10.4161/chim.29562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a widely applied treatment for disorders mainly involving the hematopoietic system. The success of this treatment depends on many different patient- and donor-specific factors. Based on higher CD34+ yields and superior clinical outcomes associated with the use of male donors, males are generally seen as the preferred HSCT donor. In addition, female donors are notorious for bearing memory type lymphocytes induced by previous pregnancies; such alloimmune cells may provoke unwanted immune reactions such as graft-vs.-host disease in transplant recipients. Consequently, many transplant centers try to avoid parous donors, particularly when searching the best unrelated donor for a male patient. We recently showed that parous women with female offspring have an anti-male directed tolerogenic immune status comparable to that of nulliparous donors. As discussed in this article addendum, the sex of the donor's offspring combined with the presence of HY-specific T regulator cells are possibly better selection criteria than parity status per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid G S van Halteren
- Immunology Laboratory; Willem Alexander Children's Hospital/Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Miranda P Dierselhuis
- Department of Pediatrics; Willem Alexander Children's Hospital/Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja Netelenbos
- Department of Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion/Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden, the Netherlands
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Bruckner TA, Mayo JA, Gould JB, Stevenson DK, Lewis DB, Shaw GM, Carmichael SL. Heightened risk of preterm birth and growth restriction after a first-born son. Ann Epidemiol 2015; 25:743-7.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Lissauer D, Eldershaw SA, Inman CF, Coomarasamy A, Moss PAH, Kilby MD. Progesterone promotes maternal-fetal tolerance by reducing human maternal T-cell polyfunctionality and inducing a specific cytokine profile. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:2858-72. [PMID: 26249148 PMCID: PMC4833190 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone is a steroid hormone essential for the maintenance of human pregnancy, and its actions are thought to include promoting maternal immune tolerance of the semiallogenic fetus. We report that exposure of maternal T cells to progesterone at physiological doses induced a unique skewing of the cytokine production profile of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, with reductions not only in potentially deleterious IFN‐γ and TNF‐α production but also in IL‐10 and IL‐5. Conversely, production of IL‐4 was increased. Maternal T cells also became less polyfunctional, focussing cytokine production toward profiles including IL‐4. This was accompanied by reduced T‐cell proliferation. Using fetal and viral antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐cell clones, we confirmed that this as a direct, nonantigen‐specific effect. Yet human T cells lacked conventional nuclear progesterone receptors, implicating a membrane progesterone receptor. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responded to progesterone in a dose‐dependent manner, with subtle effects at concentrations comparable to those in maternal blood, but profound effects at concentrations similar to those at the maternal–fetal interface. This characterization of how progesterone modulates T‐cell function is important in understanding the normal biology of pregnancy and informing the rational use of progesterone therapy in pregnancies at risk of fetal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lissauer
- Centre for Women's and Children's Health, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Suzy A Eldershaw
- School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Charlotte F Inman
- School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Aravinthan Coomarasamy
- Centre for Women's and Children's Health, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paul A H Moss
- School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mark D Kilby
- Centre for Women's and Children's Health, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Qu M, Tang Q, Li X, Zhao R, Li J, Xu H, Gao Y, Mao Y. Shen-Qi-Jie-Yu-Fang has antidepressant effects in a rodent model of postpartum depression by regulating the immune organs and subsets of T lymphocytes. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2015; 11:1523-40. [PMID: 26203247 PMCID: PMC4487162 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s83964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shen-Qi-Jie-Yu-Fang (SJ Fang) is a herbal preparation used in traditional Chinese medicine, and is a potentially important new therapeutic agent in postpartum depression (PPD). Previously, we have elucidated the effects of SJ Fang on hormone receptors and monoamine neurotransmitters involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes in PPD rats. However, the immune-modulating effects of SJ Fang in PPD are still unknown. In this study, we explored the effects of SJ Fang on the immune organs and subsets of T lymphocytes in PPD rats. METHODS PPD was created in Sprague-Dawley rats by inducing hormone-simulated pregnancy followed by hormone withdrawal. After hormone withdrawal, the PPD rats were then treated with fluoxetine at 1, 2, and 4 weeks, and the SJ Fang rats were also treated at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Depressive behavior in the rats was evaluated by the forced swim test, sucrose consumption test, and open field test. The thymus index and spleen index were calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to identify pathological features in the thymus and spleen. CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Both fluoxetine and SJ Fang decreased immobility time, increased sucrose consumption, an horizontal and vertical movement. After 4 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine or SJ Fang, the thymus index and spleen index were significantly higher than at baseline, and the morphology of the thymus and spleen were returning to normal. Two weeks after hormone withdrawal, subsets of T lymphocytes indicated a shift from immune activation to immune suppression, which was reversed by 4 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine or SJ Fang. CONCLUSION It is suggested that T-cell mediate immune responses which may play a role in the etiopathology of postpartum depression. SJ Fang had an antidepressant effect on the immune system in rats with PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Qu
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qisheng Tang
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Li
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruizhen Zhao
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingya Li
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yushan Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingqiu Mao
- Center of Scientific Research, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Linscheid C, Heitmann E, Singh P, Wickstrom E, Qiu L, Hodes H, Nauser T, Petroff MG. Trophoblast expression of the minor histocompatibility antigen HA-1 is regulated by oxygen and is increased in placentas from preeclamptic women. Placenta 2015; 36:832-8. [PMID: 26095815 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal T-cells reactive towards paternally inherited fetal minor histocompatibility antigens are expanded during pregnancy. Placental trophoblast cells express at least four fetal antigens, including human minor histocompatibility antigen 1 (HA-1). We investigated oxygen as a potential regulator of HA-1 and whether HA-1 expression is altered in preeclamptic placentas. METHODS Expression and regulation of HA-1 mRNA and protein were examined by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, using first, second, and third trimester placentas, first trimester placental explant cultures, and term purified cytotrophoblast cells. Low oxygen conditions were achieved by varying ambient oxygen, and were mimicked using cobalt chloride. HA-1 mRNA and protein expression levels were evaluated in preeclamptic and control placentas. RESULTS HA-1 protein expression was higher in the syncytiotrophoblast of first trimester as compared to second trimester and term placentas (P<0.01). HA-1 mRNA was increased in cobalt chloride-treated placental explants and purified cytotrophoblast cells (P = 0.04 and P<0.01, respectively) and in purified cytotrophoblast cells cultured under 2% as compared to 8% and 21% oxygen (P<0.01). HA-1 mRNA expression in preeclamptic vs. control placentas was increased 3.3-fold (P = 0.015). HA-1 protein expression was increased in syncytial nuclear aggregates and the syncytiotrophoblast of preeclamptic vs. control placentas (P = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). DISCUSSION Placental HA-1 expression is regulated by oxygen and is increased in the syncytial nuclear aggregates and syncytiotrophoblast of preeclamptic as compared to control placentas. Increased HA-1 expression, combined with increased preeclamptic syncytiotrophoblast deportation, provides a novel potential mechanism for exposure of the maternal immune system to increased fetal antigenic load during preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Linscheid
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - E Heitmann
- Saint Luke's Health System, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - P Singh
- Saint Luke's Health System, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - E Wickstrom
- Saint Luke's Health System, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - L Qiu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - H Hodes
- The Center for Women's Health, Overland Park, KS, USA
| | - T Nauser
- The Center for Women's Health, Overland Park, KS, USA
| | - M G Petroff
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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87
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Norwitz ER, Bonney EA, Snegovskikh VV, Williams MA, Phillippe M, Park JS, Abrahams VM. Molecular Regulation of Parturition: The Role of the Decidual Clock. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2015; 5:a023143. [PMID: 25918180 PMCID: PMC4632866 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The timing of birth is a critical determinant of perinatal outcome. Despite intensive research, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the onset of labor both at term and preterm remain unclear. It is likely that a "parturition cascade" exists that triggers labor at term, that preterm labor results from mechanisms that either prematurely stimulate or short-circuit this cascade, and that these mechanisms involve the activation of proinflammatory pathways within the uterus. It has long been postulated that the fetoplacental unit is in control of the timing of birth through a "placental clock." We suggest that it is not a placental clock that regulates the timing of birth, but rather a "decidual clock." Here, we review the evidence in support of the endometrium/decidua as the organ primarily responsible for the timing of birth and discuss the molecular mechanisms that prime this decidual clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Errol R Norwitz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 Mother Infant Research Institute (MIRI), Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
| | - Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Victoria V Snegovskikh
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island 02905
| | - Michelle A Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Mark Phillippe
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Joong Shin Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Korea
| | - Vikki M Abrahams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
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88
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Nancy P, Erlebacher A. T cell behavior at the maternal-fetal interface. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2015; 58:189-98. [PMID: 25023685 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.140054ae] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the function of T cells at the maternal-fetal interface remains one of the most difficult problems in reproductive immunology. A great deal of work over the last two decades has led to the view that the T cells that populate the decidua have important roles in both normal and pathological pregnancies, but the exact nature of these roles has remained unclear. Indeed, the old assumption that decidual T cells are uniformly threatening to fetal survival because the placenta is fundamentally an 'allograft' has given way to the idea that different T cell subsets contribute in different ways to pregnancy success or failure. Accordingly, some T cells are thought to protect the placenta from immune rejection and facilitate embryo implantation, while others are thought to contribute to pregnancy pathologies such as preeclampsia and spontaneous abortion. Here, we review the current state of information on the behavior of decidual T cells with a focus on both mouse and human studies, and with an emphasis on the many unresolved areas within this overall emerging framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Nancy
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA.
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89
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Clark DA. Popular myths in reproductive immunology. J Reprod Immunol 2014; 104-105:54-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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90
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Muenchhoff M, Prendergast AJ, Goulder PJR. Immunity to HIV in Early Life. Front Immunol 2014; 5:391. [PMID: 25161656 PMCID: PMC4130105 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The developing immune system is adapted to the exposure to a plethora of pathogenic and non-pathogenic antigens encountered in utero and after birth, requiring a fine balance between protective immunity and immune tolerance. In early stages of life, this tolerogenic state of the innate and adaptive immune system and the lack of immunological memory render the host more susceptible to infectious pathogens like HIV. HIV pathogenesis is different in children, compared to adults, with more rapid disease progression and a substantial lack of control of viremia compared to adults. Plasma viral load remains high during infancy and only declines gradually over several years in line with immune maturation, even in rare cases where children maintain normal CD4 T-lymphocyte counts for several years without antiretroviral therapy (ART). These pediatric slow progressors also typically show low levels of immune activation despite persistently high viremia, resembling the phenotype of natural hosts of SIV infection. The lack of immunological memory places the fetus and the newborn at higher risk of infections; however, it may also provide an opportunity for unique interventions. Frequencies of central memory CD4+ T-lymphocytes, one of the main cellular reservoirs of HIV, are very low in the newborn child, so immediate ART could prevent the establishment of persistent viral reservoirs and result in "functional cure." However, as recently demonstrated in the case report of the "Mississippi child" who experienced viral rebound after more than 2 years off ART, additional immunomodulatory strategies might be required for sustained viral suppression after ART cessation. In this review, we discuss the interactions between HIV and the developing immune system in children and the potential implications for therapeutic and prophylactic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Muenchhoff
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research , Oxford , UK
| | - Andrew J Prendergast
- Centre for Paediatrics, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London , London , UK ; Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research , Harare , Zimbabwe
| | - Philip Jeremy Renshaw Goulder
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research , Oxford , UK ; HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
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91
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena P Kourtis
- From the Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta (A.P.K., D.J.J.); and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco (J.S.R.)
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92
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Moffett A, Colucci F. Uterine NK cells: active regulators at the maternal-fetal interface. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:1872-9. [PMID: 24789879 PMCID: PMC4001528 DOI: 10.1172/jci68107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy presents an immunological conundrum because two genetically different individuals coexist. The maternal lymphocytes at the uterine maternal-fetal interface that can recognize mismatched placental cells are T cells and abundant distinctive uterine NK (uNK) cells. Multiple mechanisms exist that avoid damaging T cell responses to the fetus, whereas activation of uNK cells is probably physiological. Indeed, genetic epidemiological data suggest that the variability of NK cell receptors and their MHC ligands define pregnancy success; however, exactly how uNK cells function in normal and pathological pregnancy is still unclear, and any therapies aimed at suppressing NK cells must be viewed with caution. Allorecognition of fetal placental cells by uNK cells is emerging as the key maternal-fetal immune mechanism that regulates placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology and
Centre for Trophoblast Research, Physiology Building, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge,United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Colucci
- Department of Pathology and
Centre for Trophoblast Research, Physiology Building, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge,United Kingdom
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Ex vivo detection of CD8 T cells specific for H-Y minor histocompatibility antigens in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Transpl Immunol 2014; 30:128-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Revised: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Dierselhuis MP, Jankowska-Gan E, Blokland E, Pool J, Burlingham WJ, van Halteren AGS, Goulmy E. HY immune tolerance is common in women without male offspring. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91274. [PMID: 24646895 PMCID: PMC3960116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sex difference is an established risk factor for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)-related complications like graft versus host disease (GVHD). CD8pos cytotoxic T cells specific for Y chromosome-encoded minor Histocompatibility antigens (HY) play an important role therein. Prior to HSC donation, female donors may encounter HY antigens through fetomaternal or transmaternal cell flow, potentially leading to the induction of HY-specific cytotoxic or regulatory immune responses. Whether HY priming occurs independent of parity, and whether HY priming is dependent on the presence of male microchimerism, is as yet unknown. Methods We investigated the presence of HY-specific regulatory T cells (Treg) and male microchimerism in 45 healthy women with a fully documented pregnancy and family history. HY peptide-induced linked suppression, a commonly reported functional feature of CD4pos and CD8pos Treg, was measured by trans vivo Delayed Type Hypersensitivity testing. As source of HY antigens, male microchimerism was analyzed by real-time PCR and defined by the presence of male DNA in at least one purified leukocyte cell type. Results HLA class I or class II restricted HY-specific Treg were detected in 26/42 (62%) women eligible for analysis. The prevalence of HY-specific Treg was significantly higher in women who had never given birth to sons than in women with male offspring (p = 0.004). Male microchimerism could be detected in 24 out of 45 (53%) women but did not correlate with the presence of HY specific Treg. Conclusions HY-specific Treg in women with male offspring have been described previously. Here we show for the first time that, in fact, HY specific Treg are more common in nulliparous women and in parous women with female offspring. Their presence is independent of the presence of male microchimerism. Whether HY-specific Treg presence in female stem cell grafts might decrease the GVHD incidence in male HSCT recipients needs to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda P Dierselhuis
- Dept. of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ewa Jankowska-Gan
- Dept. of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Els Blokland
- Dept. of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Pool
- Dept. of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - William J Burlingham
- Dept. of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Astrid G S van Halteren
- Immunology Laboratory/Dept. of Pediatrics (WAKZ), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Els Goulmy
- Dept. of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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95
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Recurrent miscarriage and birth sex ratio. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2014; 176:55-9. [PMID: 24666800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between birth sex ratio and unexplained recurrent miscarriage (RM). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective, observational study including a total of 138 women with primary recurrent miscarriage (PRM) and 170 women with secondary recurrent miscarriage (SRM) in a tertiary referral recurrent miscarriage clinic between 1992 and 2010. The sex ratio of the first birth and subsequent birth were the main outcome measures. RESULTS In women with SRM: (i) The male:female sex ratio of the first stillbirth was 10:2, significantly (OR=4.76) higher than the male:female sex ratio of 1.05 among all births in UK. (ii) When the first born was a male, the male:female sex ratio of the subsequent birth was 21:35, significantly (OR=0.57) lower than the sex ratio among the general population. (iii) A male firstborn did not affect the chance of a subsequent live-birth. The findings did not apply to sex ratio in primary RM. CONCLUSION There was a subtle relationship between the sex of the first and subsequent births and secondary recurrent miscarriage, but not primary recurrent miscarriage.
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Abstract
Almost 7 million children under the age 5 die each year, and most of these deaths are attributable to vaccine-preventable infections. Young infants respond poorly to infections and vaccines. In particular, dendritic cells secrete less IL-12 and IL-18, CD8pos T cells and NK cells have defective cytolysis and cytokine production, and CD4pos T cell responses tend to bias towards a Th2 phenotype and promotion of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The basis for these differences is not well understood and may be in part explained by epigenetic differences, as well as immaturity of the infant's immune system. Here we present a third possibility, which involves active suppression by immune regulatory cells and place in context the immune suppressive pathways of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), CD5pos B cells, and Tregs. The immune pathways that these immune regulatory cells inhibit are similar to those that are defective in the infant. Therefore, the immune deficiencies seen in infants could be explained, in part, by active suppressive cells, indicating potential new avenues for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L Gervassi
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Washington Departments of, Seattle WA
| | - Helen Horton
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Washington Departments of, Seattle WA ; Medicine, Seattle WA ; Global Health, Seattle WA
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Profile of maternal CD4 T-cell effector function during normal pregnancy and in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage. Clin Sci (Lond) 2014; 126:347-54. [PMID: 23962040 DOI: 10.1042/cs20130247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The traditional paradigm suggests that during normal pregnancy maternal immunological tolerance of the allogenic fetus is association with a maternal T-lymphocyte shift from a Th1 to a Th2 phenotype, with the opposite effect reported in patients with recurrent miscarriage. However, studies on maternal peripheral blood are conflicting. In the present study, we characterized the maternal CD4 T-cell effector subsets, including the recently described Th17 subset, during normal pregnancy (cross-sectional cohort, n=71; longitudinal cohort, n=17) and contrasted this with women with recurrent miscarriage (n=24). Longitudinal analysis of peripheral blood from normal pregnancy demonstrated a fall in the percentage of Th17 cells between the first and second trimester (P≤0.05), but no significant changes were observed across gestation or the post-natal period in Th1 or Th2 subsets. In contrast, in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage, an elevated proportion of Th17 (0.314% compared with 0.097%; P=0.0009) and Th1 (12.4% compared with 5.3%; P=0.0002) cells was detected. The suggestion that Th17 cells may have a role in the normal events of implantation and early pregnancy requires further evaluation and mechanistic studies. The results of the present study, by conducting a careful longitudinal analysis, demonstrate that a peripheral Th1/Th2 shift is not a requirement for normal pregnancy. By contrast, the profound increase in Th1 and Th17 cells in women with recurrent miscarriage indicates that peripheral immunological dysfunction may be important in this group specifically, and these assays may be important in guiding therapeutic interventions in this group and warrant further investigation to determine whether they are predictive of outcome or responses to immunomodulatory therapy.
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98
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Abstract
The aim of this article is to highlight pitfalls in research methodology that may explain why studies in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) often provide very divergent results. It is hoped that insight into this issue may help clinicians decide which published studies are the most valid. It may help researchers to eliminate methodological flaws in future studies, which may hopefully come to some kind of agreement about the usefulness of diagnostic tests and treatments in RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole B Christiansen
- Fertility Clinic 4071, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Reberbansgade, DK-9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
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99
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Perchellet AL, Jasti S, Petroff MG. Maternal CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell tolerance towards a fetal minor histocompatibility antigen in T cell receptor transgenic mice. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:102. [PMID: 24025737 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.110445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tolerance of the maternal immune system in pregnancy is important for successful pregnancy because the semiallogeneic fetus may be subject to antifetal responses. We examined maternal tolerance to the fetus using a murine system in which a model paternally inherited antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), is expressed exclusively in the fetus and placenta. By employing T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice specific for major histocompatibility complex class I- or class II-restricted epitopes of OVA (OT-I and OT-II) as mothers, we investigated the fate of fetus-specific CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells, respectively, during gestation. Both OVA-specific CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells displayed an activated phenotype in the peripheral lymphoid tissues of OVA-bred OT-I and OT-II mice, consistent with their encounter of fetal antigen. Whereas a small percentage of OVA-specific CD4⁺ T cells were deleted in the periphery and thymus of OVA-bred OT-II mice, with evidence of TCR downregulation in the remaining T cells, deletion and TCR downregulation were not observed in OVA-bred OT-I mice. Both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells upregulated inducible costimulator expression in response to the fetal antigen, but only CD4⁺ T cells consistently upregulated the inhibitory receptors programmed cell death 1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4. More regulatory T cells (Tregs) were present in pregnant OVA-bred than in WT-bred OT-II mice, revealing that Tregs expanded specifically in response to the fetal antigen. These data indicate that several mechanisms tolerize fetal antigen-specific maternal CD4⁺ T cells, whereas tolerance of fetal antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells is less effective. The importance of these mechanisms is underscored by the finding that fetal loss occurs in OVA-bred OT-I but not OT-II mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine L Perchellet
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
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Tamblyn JA, Lissauer DM, Powell R, Cox P, Kilby MD. The immunological basis of villitis of unknown etiology - review. Placenta 2013; 34:846-55. [PMID: 23891153 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) represents a common placental inflammatory lesion, primarily, but not exclusively, identifiable T lymphocytes at term. Despite considerable evidence to contest that this simply represents a benign pathological finding, VUE remains a significantly undervalued diagnosis. Given its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes; including fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and recurrent pregnancy loss, an increased awareness amongst clinician obstetricians is certainly warranted. The underlying immunopathogenesis of VUE remains uncertain. Despite initial theories that this represents an infectious placental lesion of undiagnosed pathogenic source, a more complex sequence of events involving the "breakdown" of maternal-fetal tolerance is emerging. Characterization of a unique inflammatory phenomenon in which both maternal and fetal T lymphocytes and Höfbauer cells interact has captivated particular research interest and has generated analogies to both the problems of allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Within the context of VUE, this review evaluates how disruption of the multidimensional immunological mechanisms underlying feto-maternal tolerance may permit abnormal lymphocyte infiltration into placental villi. We shall review the existing evidence for these events in VUE and outline areas of certain future interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Tamblyn
- Theme of Reproduction, Genes and Development, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK.
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