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Laijawala RA. Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Immunological aetiologies and associations with mental health. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 41:100868. [PMID: 39391794 PMCID: PMC11466561 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is an obstetric condition estimated to affect 2-4% of childbearing individuals globally. Due to its varied nature, medical societies globally differ in their diagnostic criteria. Its aetiologies are numerous, ranging from anatomic abnormalities to endocrine and immunological factors. Autoimmune factors can attribute to approximately 20% of cases and include dysregulation of immune cells, cytokine production and antiphospholipid syndrome. Treatment pathways vary by aetiology; however, many cases remain unexplained, adding an additional level of complexity to this condition. Due to its recurrent nature, this type of pregnancy loss has profound impacts on mental health during subsequent pregnancies. While some aspects of RPL have been widely investigated, there continues to be a gap in research, such as its impacts on non-birthing parents and specific sociodemographic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riddhi A Laijawala
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
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Ou M, Luo L, Yang Y, Yan N, Yan X, Zhong X, Cheong Y, Li T, Ouyang J, Wang Q. Decrease in peripheral natural killer cell level during early pregnancy predicts live birth among women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: a prospective cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:675.e1-675.e13. [PMID: 37914060 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that trophoblast cells inhibit the proliferation of peripheral natural killer cells and that the level of peripheral natural killer cells decrease in the middle and late pregnancy stage among healthy women. The change in peripheral natural killer cell level during early pregnancy and the relationship between the change in peripheral natural killer cell level and pregnancy outcomes among women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss have not been sufficiently explored. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to characterize the level of prepregnancy peripheral natural killer cells in comparison with those in early pregnancy among women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss and to determine if the change in the level of peripheral natural killer cells from prepregnancy to early pregnancy can predict pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN In this prospective cohort study, 1758 women with recurrent pregnancy loss were recruited between January 2017 and December 2021 among whom 252 women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss had prepregnancy and early pregnancy (4-6 weeks gestation) peripheral natural killer cell measurements. These 252 women were divided into 2 groups, namely those with a lower gestational peripheral natural killer cell level (group 1) when compared with prepregnancy levels and those who did not (group 2). The respective outcomes of these groups in terms of live birth and pregnancy loss were comparatively analyzed using chi-square and Student's t tests. Candidate factors that could influence live birth were selected using the Akaike information criterion. The participates were then randomly divided into training and testing groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed and a nomogram was created to assess the possibility of live birth. The predictive accuracy was determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and validated by plotting the predicted probabilities and the observed probabilities. A Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the goodness of fit. RESULTS When early gestational peripheral natural killer cell levels were compared with prepregnancy peripheral natural killer cell levels, 61.5% (154) of women had a comparatively lower early-gestational peripheral natural killer cell level and 38.9% (98) of women had an increase or no change in the peripheral natural killer cell level. The live birth rate in group 1 was 89.0% (137/154), which was significantly higher than the rate of 49.0% (48/98) in group 2 (P<.001). A decrease in the peripheral natural killer cell level (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-1.55; P<.001) and the anti-Muellerian hormone level (odds ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.81; P=.003) were important predicting factors for a higher live birth rate. Female body mass index (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.15; P=.763) and parity (odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-4.12; P=.287) also were predicting factors. Furthermore, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model to diagnose of live birth was 0.853 with a sensitivity of 81.6% and a specificity of 78.0% using the training data set. And the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model was a good fit (p=6.068). CONCLUSION We report a comparative decrease in the peripheral natural killer cell levels in early gestation when compared with prepregnancy cell levels in more than 60% of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss at 4 to 6 weeks of gestation. When compared with prepregnancy peripheral natural killer cell levels, a decrease in the peripheral natural killer cell level during early pregnancy might be a useful predictor of the live birth rate among women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoxian Ou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Luo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Niwei Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Yan
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Xue Zhong
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Cheong
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom; Complete Fertility, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Tinchiu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Juan Ouyang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qiong Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Katirci E, Kendirci-Katirci R, Korgun ET. Are innate lymphoid cells friend or foe in human pregnancy? Am J Reprod Immunol 2024; 91:e13834. [PMID: 38500395 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are involved in the innate immune system because they lack specific antigen receptors and lineage markers. ILCs also display phenotypic and characteristic features of adaptive immune cells. Therefore, ILCs are functional in essential interactions between adaptive and innate immunity. ILCs are found in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues and migrate to the area of inflammation during the inflammatory process. ILCs respond to pathogens by producing a variety of cytokines and are involved in the barrier defense of antigens and in many immunological processes such as allergic events. Recent research has shown that ILCs are functional during human pregnancy and have been suggested to be essential for the healthy progression of pregnancy. In this review, we focus on the role of ILCs in human pregnancy by discussing the relationship between ILCs and the pregnancy microenvironment, specifically summarizing the role of ILCs in physiological and pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ertan Katirci
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Turkey
| | - Remziye Kendirci-Katirci
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Emin Turkay Korgun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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Gao X, Louwers YV, Laven JSE, Schoenmakers S. Clinical Relevance of Vaginal and Endometrial Microbiome Investigation in Women with Repeated Implantation Failure and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:622. [PMID: 38203793 PMCID: PMC10779912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have investigated if and how the vaginal and endometrial microbiome might affect endometrial receptivity and reproductive health. Although there is no consensus on the existence of a core uterine microbiome yet, evidence shows that the dominance of Lactobacillus spp. in the female reproductive tract is generally associated with eubiosis and improved chances of successful implantation and an ongoing pregnancy. Conversely, vaginal and endometrial dysbiosis can cause local inflammation and an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines, compromising the integrity and receptivity of the endometrial mucosa and potentially hampering successful embryonic implantation. This review provides a critical appraisal of the influence of the vaginal and endometrial microbiome as parts of the female reproductive tract on fertility outcomes, focusing on repeated implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). It seems that RIF as well as RPL are both associated with an increase in microbiome diversity and a loss of Lactobacillus dominance in the lower female reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xushan Gao
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne V. Louwers
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joop S. E. Laven
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sam Schoenmakers
- Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
In this guideline, recurrent miscarriage has been defined as three or more first trimester miscarriages. However, clinicians are encouraged to use their clinical discretion to recommend extensive evaluation after two first trimester miscarriages, if there is a suspicion that the miscarriages are of pathological and not of sporadic nature. Women with recurrent miscarriage should be offered testing for acquired thrombophilia, particularly for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies, prior to pregnancy. [Grade C] Women with second trimester miscarriage may be offered testing for Factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene mutation and protein S deficiency, ideally within a research context. [Grade C] Inherited thrombophilias have a weak association with recurrent miscarriage. Routine testing for protein C, antithrombin deficiency and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation is not recommended. [Grade C] Cytogenetic analysis should be offered on pregnancy tissue of the third and subsequent miscarriage(s) and in any second trimester miscarriage. [Grade D] Parental peripheral blood karyotyping should be offered for couples in whom testing of pregnancy tissue reports an unbalanced structural chromosomal abnormality [Grade D] or there is unsuccessful or no pregnancy tissue available for testing. [GPP] Women with recurrent miscarriage should be offered assessment for congenital uterine anomalies, ideally with 3D ultrasound. [Grade B] Women with recurrent miscarriage should be offered thyroid function tests and assessment for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies. [Grade C] Women with recurrent miscarriage should not be routinely offered immunological screening (such as HLA, cytokine and natural killer cell tests), infection screening or sperm DNA testing outside a research context. [Grade C] Women with recurrent miscarriage should be advised to maintain a BMI between 19 and 25 kg/m2 , smoking cessation, limit alcohol consumption and limit caffeine to less than 200 mg/day. [Grade D] For women diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, aspirin and heparin should be offered from a positive test until at least 34 weeks of gestation, following discussion of potential benefits versus risks. [Grade B] Aspirin and/or heparin should not be given to women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage. [Grade B] There are currently insufficient data to support the routine use of PGT-A for couples with unexplained recurrent miscarriage, while the treatment may carry a significant cost and potential risk. [Grade C] Resection of a uterine septum should be considered for women with recurrent first or second trimester miscarriage, ideally within an appropriate audit or research context. [Grade C] Thyroxine supplementation is not routinely recommended for euthyroid women with TPO who have a history of miscarriage. [Grade A] Progestogen supplementation should be considered in women with recurrent miscarriage who present with bleeding in early pregnancy (for example 400 mg micronised vaginal progesterone twice daily at the time of bleeding until 16 weeks of gestation). [Grade B] Women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage should be offered supportive care, ideally in the setting of a dedicated recurrent miscarriage clinic. [Grade C].
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Vomstein K, Egerup P, Kolte AM, Behrendt-Møller I, Boje AD, Bertelsen ML, Eiken CS, Reiersen MR, Toth B, la Cour Freiesleben N, Nielsen HS. Biopsy-free profiling of the uterine immune system in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and unexplained infertility. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:103207. [PMID: 37211442 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What are the differences in menstrual blood lymphocytes between controls, patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and patients with unexplained infertility (uINF)? DESIGN Prospective study including 46 healthy controls, 28 RPL and 11 uINF patients. A feasibility study compared lymphocyte compositions of endometrial biopsies and menstrual blood collected during the first 48 h of menstruation in seven controls. In all patients, peripheral and menstrual blood from the first and subsequent 24 h were analysed separately by flow cytometry, focusing on the main lymphocyte populations and natural killer (NK) cell subsets. RESULTS The first 24 h of menstrual blood resembles the uterine immune milieu as tested by endometrial biopsy. RPL patients showed significantly higher menstrual blood CD56+ NK cell numbers than controls (mean ± SD: 31.13 ± 7.52% versus 36.73 ± 5.4%, P = 0.002). Menstrual blood CD56dimCD16bright NK cells within the CD56+ NK cell population were decreased in RPL (16.34 ± 14.65%, P = 0.011) and uINF (15.7 ± 5.91%, P = 0.02) patients versus control (20.42 ± 11.53%). uINF patients had the lowest menstrual blood CD3+ T cell counts (38.81 ± 5.04%, control versus uINF: P = 0.01) and cytotoxicity receptors NKp46 and NKG2D on CD56brightCD16dim cells were higher in uINF (68.12 ± 11.84%, P = 0.006; 45.99 ± 13.83%, P = 0.01, respectively) and RPL (NKp46: 66.21 ± 15.36%, P = 0.009) patients versus controls. RPL and uINF patients had higher peripheral CD56+ NK cell counts versus controls (11.42 ± 4.05%, P = 0.021; 12.86 ± 4.29%, P = 0.009 versus 8.4 ± 3.5%). CONCLUSIONS Compared with controls, RPL and uINF patients had a different menstrual blood-NK-subtype profile, indicating an altered cytotoxicity. In future studies, this non-invasive analysis might enable identification and monitoring of patients receiving immunomodulatory medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Vomstein
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, DK-2650, Denmark.
| | - Pia Egerup
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Astrid Marie Kolte
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Behrendt-Møller
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, DK-2650, Denmark
| | - Amalie Dyhrberg Boje
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie-Louise Bertelsen
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Sofie Eiken
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michelle Raupelyté Reiersen
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bettina Toth
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nina la Cour Freiesleben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, DK-2650, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette Svarre Nielsen
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, DK-2650, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cavalcante MB, da Silva PHA, Carvalho TR, Sampaio OGM, Câmara FEA, Cavalcante CTDMB, Barini R, Kwak-Kim J. Peripheral blood natural killer cell cytotoxicity in recurrent miscarriage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 158:103956. [PMID: 37236061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated natural killer (NK) cells have been associated with recurrent miscarriages (RM). Studies have suggested that high peripheral blood NK cell cytotoxicities (pNKCs) are associated with an increased risk of RM. The aim of this systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MAs) is to investigate the difference in pNKC between nonpregnant and pregnant women with RM and controls and determine whether pNKC is reduced by immunotherapy. We searched the PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases. The MAs were conducted to compare pNKCs between women with and without RM before and during pregnancy as well as pre- and post-immunotherapy. Risk of bias in nonrandomized studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using the Review Manager software. A total of 19 studies were included in the SR and 14 studies in the MAs. The MAs revealed higher pNKCs among nonpregnant women with RM compared to controls (MD, 7.99 95 %CI 6.40-9.58; p < 0.00001). pNKCs were also higher in pregnant women with RM than in pregnant controls (MD, 8.21 95 %CI 6.08-10.34; p < 0.00001). Women with RM showed significantly decreased pNKCs after the immunotherapy compared to before (MD, -8.20 95 %CI -10.20 - -6.19; p < 0, 00001). Additionally, there is an association between high pNKCs and the risk of pregnancy loss in women with RM. However, included studies showed substantial heterogeneities regarding the inclusion criteria of patients, techniques measuring pNKC, and types of immunotherapies. More studies are needed to evaluate the clinical efficiency of pNKCs in managing RM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Borges Cavalcante
- Post graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, CE 60.811-905, Brazil; CONCEPTUS - Reproductive Medicine, Fortaleza, CE 60.170-240, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Olga Goiana Martins Sampaio
- Post graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, CE 60.811-905, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ricardo Barini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campinas University (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13.083-887, Brazil
| | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, USA
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Brosens JJ, Bennett PR, Abrahams VM, Ramhorst R, Coomarasamy A, Quenby S, Lucas ES, McCoy RC. Maternal selection of human embryos in early gestation: Insights from recurrent miscarriage. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:14-24. [PMID: 35094946 PMCID: PMC9325922 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Compared to most mammals, human pregnancy is unusual in that it involves chromosomally diverse embryos, cyclical breakdown and regeneration of the uterine mucosa, and intimate integration of fetal and maternal cells at the uteroplacental interface. Not surprisingly, pregnancy often falters in early gestation. Whether these losses result in clinical miscarriages depends on the origins and impacts of chromosomal errors on fetal development and the ability of the decidualizing endometrium to engage in embryo biosensing and selection. Aneuploidy originating in oocytes during meiosis drives the age-related risk of miscarriage. By contrast, the frequency of endometrial cycles with an impaired decidual response may account for the stepwise increase in miscarriage rates with each pregnancy loss independently of maternal age. Additional physiological mechanisms operate in early gestation to ensure that most failing pregnancies are lost before vascular maternal-fetal connections are established by the end of the first trimester. Here, we summarise how investigations into the mechanisms that cause miscarriage led to new insights into the processes that govern maternal selection of human embryos in early gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan J Brosens
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK.
| | - Phillip R Bennett
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Vikki M Abrahams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rosanna Ramhorst
- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales IQUIBICEN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Arri Coomarasamy
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Siobhan Quenby
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Emma S Lucas
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Rajiv C McCoy
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
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Qin D, Xu H, Chen Z, Deng X, Jiang S, Zhang X, Bao S. The peripheral and decidual immune cell profiles in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. Front Immunol 2022; 13:994240. [PMID: 36177021 PMCID: PMC9513186 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.994240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) affects 1-2% of couples of reproductive age. Immunological analysis of the immune status in RPL patients might contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of RPL. However, the exact immune cell composition in RPL patients is still unclear. Here, we used flow cytometry to investigate the immune cell profiles of peripheral blood and decidual tissue of women who experienced RPL. We divided peripheral immune cells into 14 major subgroups, and the percentages of T, natural killer T (NKT)-like and B cells in peripheral blood were increased in RPL patients. The decidual immune cells were classified into 14 major subpopulations and the percentages of decidual T, NKT-like cells and CD11chi Mφ were increased, while those of CD56hi decidual NK cells and CD11clo Mφ were decreased in RPL patients. The spearmen correlation analysis showed that the proportion of peripheral and decidual immune cells did not show significant correlations with occurrences of previous miscarriages. By using flow cytometry, we depicted the global peripheral and decidual immune landscape in RPL patients. The abnormalities of peripheral and decidual immune cells may be involved in RPL, but the correlations with the number of previous miscarriages need further verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengke Qin
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huihui Xu
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences/University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zechuan Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences/University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xujing Deng
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences/University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences/University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Shihua Bao, ; Xiaoming Zhang,
| | - Shihua Bao
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Shihua Bao, ; Xiaoming Zhang,
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Zhang T, Zhao Y, Cheung WC, Gan YH, Huang L, Li M, Leung KT, Chung PW, Wang CC, Laird S, Chen X, Li TC. Serial changes in two immune checkpoint receptors and ligands, Tim-3/Gal-9 and PD-1/PD-L1 in peripheral blood prior to miscarriage: Comparison with pregnancies resulting in a live birth. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 87:e13524. [PMID: 35130363 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Immune checkpoints Tim-3/Gal-9 and PD-1/PL-1 are involved in the maintenance of maternal-fetal immune tolerance systematically and locally. This study aimed to compare the serial changes of Tim-3/Gal-9, and PD-1/PL-1 in peripheral blood over a 4-week period after blastocyst transfer, between women who had a live birth and those who miscarried. METHODS OF STUDY Serial blood samples were obtained on the day of ET, and 9, 16, 23, and 30 days after ET for the measurement of Tim-3 and PD-1 expressions on various lymphocytes by flow cytometry. Concentrations of serum Gal-9 and PD-L1 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS In pregnancies that resulted in a live birth, a significant and sustained increase in the proportion of Tim-3+ pNK cells was observed from the 9th to 30th days after ET, whilst the concentration of serum PD-L1 was significantly increased on the 23rd and 30th days after ET when compared to the day of ET. In pregnancies that later miscarried, none of the parameters were significantly changed across all the time points examined. When comparing the results between the two groups, the proportion of Tim-3+ CD56dim NK cells in the women who had a live birth was significantly higher than that in women who miscarried from the 9th to 30th day after ET. CONCLUSION A significant and sustained increase in the proportion of Tim-3+ pNK cells was observed in pregnancies resulting in a live birth but not in pregnancies resulting in a miscarriage, suggesting the changes may be associated with successful pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yiwei Zhao
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing Ching Cheung
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yong Huang Gan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi, China
| | - Mingqing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kam Tong Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Piu Wah Chung
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Reproduction and Development Laboratory, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Chinese University of Hong Kong -Sichuan University Joint Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Susan Laird
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Center, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tin Chiu Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Chinese University of Hong Kong -Sichuan University Joint Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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11
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Muter J, Kong CS, Brosens JJ. The Role of Decidual Subpopulations in Implantation, Menstruation and Miscarriage. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2021; 3:804921. [PMID: 36303960 PMCID: PMC9580781 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.804921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In each menstrual cycle, the endometrium becomes receptive to embryo implantation while preparing for tissue breakdown and repair. Both pregnancy and menstruation are dependent on spontaneous decidualization of endometrial stromal cells, a progesterone-dependent process that follows rapid, oestrogen-dependent proliferation. During the implantation window, stromal cells mount an acute stress response, which leads to the emergence of functionally distinct decidual subsets, reflecting the level of replication stress incurred during the preceding proliferative phase. Progesterone-dependent, anti-inflammatory decidual cells (DeC) form a robust matrix that accommodates the conceptus whereas pro-inflammatory, progesterone-resistant stressed and senescent decidual cells (senDeC) control tissue remodelling and breakdown. To execute these functions, each decidual subset engages innate immune cells: DeC partner with uterine natural killer (uNK) cells to eliminate senDeC, while senDeC co-opt neutrophils and macrophages to assist with tissue breakdown and repair. Thus, successful transformation of cycling endometrium into the decidua of pregnancy not only requires continuous progesterone signalling but dominance of DeC over senDeC, aided by recruitment and differentiation of circulating NK cells and bone marrow-derived decidual progenitors. We discuss how the frequency of cycles resulting in imbalanced decidual subpopulations may determine the recurrence risk of miscarriage and highlight emerging therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Muter
- Division of Biomedicine, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Joanne Muter
| | - Chow-Seng Kong
- Division of Biomedicine, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Jan J. Brosens
- Division of Biomedicine, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom
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12
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Li L, Feng T, Zhou W, Liu Y, Li H. miRNAs in decidual NK cells: regulators worthy of attention during pregnancy. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:150. [PMID: 34600537 PMCID: PMC8486626 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00812-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The critical immune effectors, including T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages participate in regulating immune responses during pregnancy. Among these immune cells, decidual NK (dNK) cells are involved in key placental development processes at the maternal-fetal interface, such as uterine spiral artery remodeling, trophoblast invasion, and decidualization. Mechanistically, dNK cells significantly influence pregnancy outcome by secreting cytokines, chemokines, and angiogenic mediators and by their interactions with trophoblasts and other decidual cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that participate in the initiation and progression of human diseases. Although the functions of circulating miRNAs in pathological mechanism has been extensively studied, the regulatory roles of miRNAs in NK cells, especially in dNK cells, have been rarely reported. In this review, we analyze the effects of miRNA regulations of dNK cell functions on the immune system during gestation. We discuss aberrant expressions of certain miRNAs in dNK cells that may lead to pathological consequences, such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Interestingly, miRNA expression patterns are also different between dNK cells and peripheral NK (pNK) cells, and pNK cells in the first- and third-trimester of gestation. The dysregulation of miRNA plays a pivotal regulatory role in driving immune functions of dNK and pNK cells. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms of miRNAs in dNK cells may provide new insights into the development of therapeutics to prevent pregnancy failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liman Li
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Feng
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weijie Zhou
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Li
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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13
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Kong CS, Ordoñez AA, Turner S, Tremaine T, Muter J, Lucas ES, Salisbury E, Vassena R, Tiscornia G, Fouladi-Nashta AA, Hartshorne G, Brosens JJ, Brighton PJ. Embryo biosensing by uterine natural killer cells determines endometrial fate decisions at implantation. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21336. [PMID: 33749894 PMCID: PMC8251835 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002217r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Decidualizing endometrial stromal cells (EnSC) critically determine the maternal response to an implanting conceptus, triggering either menstruation-like disposal of low-fitness embryos or creating an environment that promotes further development. However, the mechanism that couples maternal recognition of low-quality embryos to tissue breakdown remains poorly understood. Recently, we demonstrated that successful transition of the cycling endometrium to a pregnancy state requires selective elimination of pro-inflammatory senescent decidual cells by activated uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Here we report that uNK cells express CD44, the canonical hyaluronan (HA) receptor, and demonstrate that high molecular weight HA (HMWHA) inhibits uNK cell-mediated killing of senescent decidual cells. In contrast, low molecular weight HA (LMWHA) did not attenuate uNK cell activity in co-culture experiments. Killing of senescent decidual cells by uNK cells was also inhibited upon exposure to medium conditioned by IVF embryos that failed to implant, but not successful embryos. Embryo-mediated inhibition of uNK cell activity was reversed by recombinant hyaluronidase 2 (HYAL2), which hydrolyses HMWHA. We further report a correlation between the levels of HYAL2 secretion by human blastocysts, morphological scores, and implantation potential. Taken together, the data suggest a pivotal role for uNK cells in embryo biosensing and endometrial fate decisions at implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chow-Seng Kong
- Centre for Early Life, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Sarah Turner
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Tina Tremaine
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK
| | - Joanne Muter
- Centre for Early Life, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Emma S Lucas
- Centre for Early Life, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Emma Salisbury
- Centre for Early Life, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | | | - Ali A Fouladi-Nashta
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK
| | - Geraldine Hartshorne
- Centre for Early Life, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Centre for Reproductive Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Jan J Brosens
- Centre for Early Life, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Paul J Brighton
- Centre for Early Life, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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14
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Odendaal J, Quenby S. Immunological Testing in Assisted Reproductive Technology. Semin Reprod Med 2021; 39:13-23. [PMID: 34161996 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Fetal implantation requires carefully orchestrated involvement of the maternal immune system. Aberrant function within implantation has been suggested as a cause of implantation failure. The emergence of immunological theories of miscarriage has led to immunological testing as an adjuvant treatment in assisted reproductive technology; however, it remains controversial, with mixed evidence both for immunological cause and the benefits of immunological testing. Literature on common methods of immunological testing within assisted reproductive technology is reviewed including those of peripheral and uterine natural killer cells, chronic endometritis, and T-helper cells cytokine ratio. There is little consensus in the evidence on immunological testing in the context of recurrent implantation failure. The field is limited by a lack of uniformity in approach to testing and heterogeneity of the pathophysiological cause. Nevertheless, the maternal immune system is heavily involved in implantation and the new era of personalized medicine ensures that a more defined approach to immunological testing will be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Odendaal
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.,Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Siobhan Quenby
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.,Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, United Kingdom
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15
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Vomstein K, Feil K, Strobel L, Aulitzky A, Hofer-Tollinger S, Kuon RJ, Toth B. Immunological Risk Factors in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Guidelines Versus Current State of the Art. J Clin Med 2021; 10:869. [PMID: 33672505 PMCID: PMC7923780 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Around 1-5% of all couples experience recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Established risk factors include anatomical, genetic, endocrine, and hemostatic alterations. With around 50% of idiopathic cases, immunological risk factors are getting into the scientific focus, however international guidelines hardly take them into account. Within this review, the current state of immunological risk factors in RPL in international guidelines of the European Society of Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), German/Austrian/Swiss Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (DGGG/OEGGG/SGGG) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) are evaluated. Special attention was drawn to recommendations in the guidelines regarding diagnostic factors such as autoantibodies, natural killer cells, regulatory T cells, dendritic cells, plasma cells, and human leukocyte antigen system (HLA)-sharing as well as treatment options such as corticosteroids, intralipids, intravenous immunoglobulins, aspirin and heparin in RPL. Finally, the current state of the art focusing on both diagnostic and therapeutic options was summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Vomstein
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.F.); (L.S.); (A.A.); (S.H.-T.); (B.T.)
| | - Katharina Feil
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.F.); (L.S.); (A.A.); (S.H.-T.); (B.T.)
| | - Laura Strobel
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.F.); (L.S.); (A.A.); (S.H.-T.); (B.T.)
| | - Anna Aulitzky
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.F.); (L.S.); (A.A.); (S.H.-T.); (B.T.)
| | - Susanne Hofer-Tollinger
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.F.); (L.S.); (A.A.); (S.H.-T.); (B.T.)
| | - Ruben-Jeremias Kuon
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Bettina Toth
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.F.); (L.S.); (A.A.); (S.H.-T.); (B.T.)
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16
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Zhang Y, Huang C, Lian R, Xu J, Fu Y, Zeng Y, Tu W. The low cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood NK cells may relate to unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 85:e13388. [PMID: 33410220 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Unexplained recurrent miscarriage (uRM) is defined as two or more spontaneous abortions prior to 20 weeks of gestation with unknown etiology. Peripheral blood natural killer (pNK) cells contact with the villus and exert important role in normal pregnancy. However, it is still controversial about the association between pNK cytotoxicity and uRM, and the underlying mechanism remains unknown so far. METHOD OF STUDY In this study, we aim to compare the percentage, immunophenotype, and function of pNK cells between patients with uRM and fertile controls. The peripheral blood was collected from 49 patients with uRM and 11 fertile women in their middle luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. pNK cells were co-cultured with K562 cells at different cell ratios to measure the cytotoxicity. The percentage of CD3- CD56+ , CD3- CD56bright , and CD3- CD56dim pNK was analyzed by flow cytometry and quantified to evaluate the expression of cytotoxic granules (granzyme B, granulysin, and perforin), and the cell surface receptors related to pNK cell cytotoxicity (NKG2D, NKp30, NKp46, CD158a, and CD158b) were also detected. RESULTS The general linear model analysis showed that pNK cell cytotoxicity in patients with uRM was significantly lower than that in fertile controls. In addition, the ratios of NKG2D/CD158a, NKp30/CD158a, and NKp46/CD158a in CD3- CD56bright pNK subsets were significantly lower in uRM group than that in fertile control. The logistical regression analysis showed that the reduced NKp30/CD158a, NKp46/CD158a ratios in CD3- CD56bright pNK subsets were significantly associated with uRM. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that a low pNK cytotoxicity, which is mediated by inhibitory signals, might be associated with uRM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongnu Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunyu Huang
- Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ruochun Lian
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yunfeng Fu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenwei Tu
- Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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17
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Natural killer frequency determines natural killer cytotoxicity directly in accentuated zones and indirectly in "moderate-to-normal frequency" segment. Cent Eur J Immunol 2021; 45:315-324. [PMID: 33437184 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2020.101263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) frequency and NK cytotoxicity (NKc) are key determining factors of a clinical outcome. In our previous study, we showed the prognostic clinical significance of immune parameters when they are beyond the optimal range (accentuated). In this study, we attempted to explain the disparity of accentuated but physiologically and immunologically normal NK parameters that might serve as negative clinical prognostics indications of failed pregnancies. We have analyzed NK%, NKc levels, and their reciprocal correlation in 2,804 patients with reproductive failures. In the entire clinical population, NK% correlates with NKc. Interestingly, we found this relationship to be strongly dependent on NK level's status. NK%-NKc correlation was the strongest (r = 0.2021, p < 0.0001) in a patient group with high NK% (> 17.5%). Patients with NK% between 15-17.5% manifested lower but still significant correlation NK%-NKc (r = 0.1213, p = 0.0155). Additionally, significant correlation (r = 0.2689, p < < 0.0001) between NK% and NKc was observed in a group of patients with NK levels < 7% (1.7-7%). While patients' groups with NK% (7-15%) did not reveal NK%-NKc association. This led us to hypothesize that the qualitative-quantitative status of NK population is responsible for their cytotoxic activity. Consistent with our hypothesis, the "balanced zone" NK% is tightly controlled, and thus does not correlate directly with NKc. In contrast, the "accentuated zones" of NK% escape this control and directly affecting NKc. Demonstrated phenomena supports our idea about the clinical significance of immune accentuation and explains its novel physiological role.
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18
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Granzyme B-expressing γδ-T and NK cells as a predictor of clinical pregnancy failure in patients with unexplained repeated implantation failure. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 144:103269. [PMID: 33540297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The limited cytotoxicity of immune cells facilitates a successful establishment of pregnancy. However, the association between cytotoxic granules and unexplained repeated implantation failure (uRIF) remains unkown. Twenty-one fertile controls and 54 patients with uRIF were included in this study. The pregnancy outcomes were monitored at different gestational periods. The peripheral blood lymphocytes were detected using specific monoclonal antibodies by flow cytometry. The percentage of perforin+ (Pfr+), granzyme B+ (GrB+), or granulysin+ (Gnly+) lymphocytes was not significantly different among fertile controls, uRIF patients with successful pregnancy outcomes, and uRIF patients with pregnancy failure. The percentage of GrB+ γδ-T cells in lymphocytes was markedly higher in uRIF patients with implantation failure and clinical pregnancy failure than that in uRIF patients with a corresponding successful pregnancy outcome. A four-tier risk model showed that the risk of suffering clinical pregnancy failure in uRIF patients among high risk tier (83.3 %), normal risk tier (65.0 %) and low risk tier (39.1 %) was elevated by 2-4 fold compared with uRIF patients among lowest risk tier (20.0 %). In addition, the percentage of GrB+ NK cells in lymphocytes tended to decrease in uRIF patients with pregnancy failure. The AUC of the combined indicator with GrB+ γδ-T cells and GrB+ NK cells was increased than that of GrB+ γδ-T cells and GrB+ NK cells for predicting clinical pregnancy failure. In conclusion, the frequency of GrB-expressing γδ-T and NK cells in peripheral blood could serve as a predictor of clinical pregnancy failure in patients with uRIF.
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19
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Zhang T, Zhu W, Zhao Y, Cheung WC, Liu Y, Chen X, Du Y, Leung KT, Chan YL, Wang CC, Laird S, Li TC. Early transient suppression of immune checkpoint proteins T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 and programmed cell death-1 in peripheral blood lymphocytes after blastocyst transfer is associated with successful implantation. Fertil Steril 2020; 114:426-435. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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20
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Jafarpour R, Pashangzadeh S, Mehdizadeh S, Bayatipoor H, Shojaei Z, Motallebnezhad M. Functional significance of lymphocytes in pregnancy and lymphocyte immunotherapy in infertility: A comprehensive review and update. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 87:106776. [PMID: 32682255 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the fetal-maternal interface underlies several dynamic alterations to permit the fetus to be cultivated and developed in the uterus, in spite of being identifies by the maternal immune system. A large variety of decidual leukocyte populations, including natural killer cells, NKT cells, innate lymphoid cells, dendritic cells, B cells, T cells, subpopulations of helper T cells play a vital role in controlling the trophoblast invasion, angiogenesis as well as vascular remodeling. In contrast, several regulatory immunosuppressive mechanisms, including regulatory T cells, regulatory B cells, several cytokines and mediators are involved in maintain the homeostasis of immune system in the fetal-maternal interface. Nonetheless, aberrant alterations in the balance of immune inflammatory or immunosuppressive arms have been associated with various pregnancy losses and infertilities. As a result, numerous strategies have been developed to revers dysregulated balance of immune players to increase the chance of successful pregnancy. Lymphocyte immunotherapy has been developed through utilization of peripheral white blood cells of the husband or others and administered into the mother to confer an immune tolerance for embryo's antigens. However, the results have not always been promising, implying to further investigations to improve the approach. This review attempts to clarify the involvement of lymphocytes in contributing to the pregnancy outcome and the potential of lymphocyte immunotherapy in treatment of infertilities with dysregulated immune system basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghayeh Jafarpour
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Pashangzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saber Mehdizadeh
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hashem Bayatipoor
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Shojaei
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Motallebnezhad
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Banno C, Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Ebara T, Ide S, Kitaori T, Sato T, Ando K, Morita Y. Attitude and perceptions toward miscarriage: a survey of a general population in Japan. J Hum Genet 2019; 65:155-164. [PMID: 31761902 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-019-0694-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Miscarriage is the greatest complication of pregnancy, and 70-80% of early miscarriages are mostly due to chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. There is no evidence that stress is a direct cause of miscarriage. Despite these findings, in a national US survey on the causes of miscarriage, many Americans mistakenly attributed miscarriage to the mental state or behavior of the women. We conducted a survey to assess public attitudes and perceptions regarding the cause and prevalence of miscarriage in Japan. We sent out a questionnaire consisting of 17 questions. The 5000 recipients consisted of men and women (1:1 ratio) aged 18-69 who resided in Aichi Prefecture. A total of 1257 recipients (25%) responded to the questionnaire and 1219 valid respondents (24%) were included in the analyses. Of these, 62% considered a genetic abnormality of the fetus as the cause of miscarriage. Participants who were female, highly educated, married and healthy gave significantly more correct responses. On the other hand, the majority wrongly assumed that a stressful event (65%) and long-standing stress (75%) to be causes of miscarriage. Participants who had no history of miscarriage as well as males answered significantly more incorrectly. Sixty-five percent of respondents thought that miscarriage occurred less than 15% of all pregnancies. Among respondents who had experienced miscarriage personally, 53 and 36% felt guilty and lonely, respectively. Many respondents blamed the woman for the miscarriage either in terms of her behavior or mental stress and considered the frequency of miscarriage to be lower than it actually is.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Banno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Ebara
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shoko Ide
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tamao Kitaori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kiwamu Ando
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoko Morita
- Graduate School of Economics, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
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22
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Miyaji M, Deguchi M, Tanimura K, Sasagawa Y, Morizane M, Ebina Y, Yamada H. Clinical factors associated with pregnancy outcome in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. Gynecol Endocrinol 2019; 35:913-918. [PMID: 31010347 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1604657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate clinical factors associated with pregnancy outcomes in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Women with a history of two or more pregnancy losses underwent workups for clinical factors of RPL and their pregnancies were followed-up with informed consent. Two hundred eleven (81.5%) of 259 women with RPL became pregnant. The multivariable analyses demonstrated that age (p < .01, OR 0.9, 95%CI 0.97-0.83), uterine abnormality (p < .05, OR 0.3, 95%CI 0.11-0.8), and protein C (PC) deficiency (p < .01, OR 0.14, 95%CI 0.03-0.6) were independent factors for becoming pregnancy in women with RPL. The number of previous pregnancy loss (p < .01, OR 0.57, 95%CI 0.43-0.75) and natural killer (NK) cell activity ≥33% (p < .01, OR 0.31, 95%CI 0.13-0.73) were independent factors for live birth in the subsequent pregnancy. Advanced age, the presence of uterine abnormality, and PC deficiency were risk factors for reduced pregnancy rate in women with RPL. Increased number of previous pregnancy loss and high NK cell activity were risk factors for miscarriage in the subsequent pregnancy. These results involve important information and are helpful for clinical practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maho Miyaji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masashi Deguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kenji Tanimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yuki Sasagawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mayumi Morizane
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Ebina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hideto Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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23
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Jørgensen N, Persson G, Hviid TVF. The Tolerogenic Function of Regulatory T Cells in Pregnancy and Cancer. Front Immunol 2019; 10:911. [PMID: 31134056 PMCID: PMC6517506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells, a subpopulation of suppressive T cells, are potent mediators of self-tolerance and essential for the suppression of triggered immune responses. The immune modulating capacity of these cells play a major role in both transplantation, autoimmune disease, allergy, cancer and pregnancy. During pregnancy, low numbers of regulatory T cells are associated with pregnancy failure and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia. On the other hand, in cancer, low numbers of immunosuppressive T cells are correlated with better prognosis. Hence, maternal immune tolerance toward the fetus during pregnancy and the escape from host immunosurveillance by cancer seem to be based on similar immunological mechanisms being highly dependent on the balance between immune activation and suppression. As regulatory T cells hold a crucial role in several biological processes, they may also be promising subjects for therapeutic use. Especially in the field of cancer, cell therapy and checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated that immune-based therapies have a very promising potential in treatment of human malignancies. However, these therapies are often accompanied by adverse autoimmune side effects. Therefore, expanding the knowledge to recognize the complexities of immune regulation pathways shared across different immunological scenarios is extremely important in order to improve and develop new strategies for immune-based therapy. The intent of this review is to highlight the functional characteristics of regulatory T cells in the context of mechanisms of immune regulation in pregnancy and cancer, and how manipulation of these mechanisms potentially may improve therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Vauvert F. Hviid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), The ReproHealth Consortium ZUH, Zealand University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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24
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Zhang H, Huang C, Chen X, Li L, Liu S, Li Y, Zhang Y, Zeng Y, Hu L. The number and cytotoxicity and the expression of cytotoxicity-related molecules in peripheral natural killer (NK) cells do not predict the repeated implantation failure (RIF) for the in vitro fertilization patients. Genes Dis 2019; 7:283-289. [PMID: 32215298 PMCID: PMC7083707 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are thought to play a key role in the successful establishment of a pregnancy by facilitating immunological adaptation of the semi-allogeneic developing embryo. The aim of this study was to explore the cell number, immunophenotypic characteristics, and activities of peripheral blood NK cells in women with repeated implantation failure (RIF). Peripheral blood was obtained from 27 women with RIF and 11 healthy, fertile controls during the middle luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. CD3- CD56+ NK cells were quantified and analyzed by flow cytometry for the expression of cytolytic molecules (granzyme B, granulysin, and perforin) as well as cell surface receptors responsible for NK cell activation or inhibition (NKG2D, NKp30, NKp46, CD158a, CD158b). NK cytotoxicity was measured at three effector-to-target cell ratios. Women with RIF and fertile controls did not differ significantly in the percentage of circulating CD3−CD56+ NK cells, or in the proportions of these cells that expressed granzyme B, granulysin, or perforin. The two groups also did not differ significantly in the proportions of NK cells expressing the receptors NKG2D, NKp30, NKp46, CD158a or CD158b. General linear model analysis showed that NK cytotoxicity increased with effector-to-target cell ratio. However, NK cytotoxicity did not differ significantly between patients with RIF and fertile controls. These results suggest that RIF is not associated with significant alterations in the number or function of peripheral blood NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518045, PR China
| | - Chunyu Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518045, PR China
| | - Xian Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518045, PR China
| | - Longfei Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518045, PR China
| | - Su Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518045, PR China
| | - Yuye Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518045, PR China
| | - Yongnu Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518045, PR China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518045, PR China
| | - Lina Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
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25
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Azargoon A, Mirrasouli Y, Shokrollahi Barough M, Barati M, Kokhaei P. The State of Peripheral Blood Natural Killer Cells and Cytotoxicity in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Unexplained Infertility. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2019; 13:12-17. [PMID: 30644239 PMCID: PMC6334012 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2019.5503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background The prognostic value of peripheral natural killer (pNK) cells, as a screening test in women with recur-
rent pregnancy loss (RPL) and unexplained infertility, is still a matter for discussion. The purpose of this study was to
compare the percentage of circulating CD56+NK cells, CD69 and perforin markers between women with unexplained
infertility and RPL with the healthy control group. Materials and Methods In this case-control study, the percentage of CD56+NK cells and activation markers (CD69
and perforin levels) in the peripheral blood were measured in 25 women with unexplained infertility, 24 women with
idiopathic RPL and 26 women from the healthy control group, using specific monoclonal antibodies by flow cytometry. Results The percentage of CD56+NK cells was significantly higher in patients with infertility in comparison with
the healthy control group (P=0.007). There were not significant differences either in the total number of CD56+cells
between the RPL group and the control group (P=0.2) or between the RPL group and the infertile group (P=0.36).
The percentage of CD69+lymphocytes in RPL group was significantly higher than in the infertility group (P=0.004).
There was a statistically significant difference in Perforin levels between RLP and control (P=0.001) as well as RPL
and infertile (P=0.002) groups. Conclusion An increased percentage of CD56+NK cells in patients with unexplained infertility, an elevated expression
of CD69 on NK cells in patients with RPL and infertility and a high level of perforin on CD56+cells in the RPL group
might be considered as immunological risk factors in these women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Azargoon
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Department of Infertility, Amir-AL-Momenin Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Yasaman Mirrasouli
- Department of Infertility, Amir-AL-Momenin Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Shokrollahi Barough
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Cancer Immunotherapy and Regenerative Medicine Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Barati
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parviz Kokhaei
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. Electronic Address: .,Immune and Gene therapy Lab, CCK, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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26
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Cunningham MW, Vaka VR, McMaster K, Ibrahim T, Cornelius DC, Amaral L, Campbell N, Wallukat G, McDuffy S, Usry N, Dechend R, LaMarca B. Renal natural killer cell activation and mitochondrial oxidative stress; new mechanisms in AT1-AA mediated hypertensive pregnancy. Pregnancy Hypertens 2018; 15:72-77. [PMID: 30825931 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Women with preeclampsia (PE) have increased mean arterial pressure (MAP), natural killer (NK) cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-AA). AT1-AA's administered to pregnant rodents produces a well-accepted model of PE. However, the role of NK cells and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) in AT1-AA mediated hypertension during pregnancy is unknown. We hypothesize that AT1-AA induced model of PE will exhibit elevated MAP, NK cells, and mtROS; while inhibition of the AT1-AA binding to the AT1R would be preventative. Pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups: normal pregnant (NP) (n = 5), NP + AT1-AA inhibitory peptide (NP +'n7AAc') (n = 3), NP + AT1-AA infused (NP + AT1-AA) (n = 10), and NP + AT1-AA +'n7AAc' (n = 8). Day 13, rats were surgically implanted with mini-pumps infusing either AT1-AA or AT1-AA +'n7AAc'. Day 19, tissue and blood was collected. MAP was elevated in AT1-AA vs. NP (119 ± 1 vs. 102 ± 2 mmHg, p < 0.05) and this was prevented by 'n7AAc' (108 ± 3). There was a 6 fold increase in renal activated NK cells in AT1-AA vs NP (1.2 ± 0.4 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1% Gated, p = 0.05) which returned to NP levels in AT1-AA +'n7AAc' (0.1 ± 0.1% Gated). Renal mtROS (317 ± 49 vs. 101 ± 13% Fold, p < 0.05) was elevated with AT1-AA vs NP and was decreased in AT1-AA +'n7AAc' (128 ± 16, p < 0.05). In conclusion, AT1-AA's increased MAP, NK cells, and mtROS which were attenuated by AT1-AA inhibition, thus highlighting new mechanisms of AT1-AA and the importance of drug therapy targeted to AT1-AAs in hypertensive pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Cunningham
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Venkata Ramana Vaka
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Kristen McMaster
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Tarek Ibrahim
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Denise C Cornelius
- Depart. of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Lorena Amaral
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Nathan Campbell
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Gerd Wallukat
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Campus Buch, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shyanne McDuffy
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Nathan Usry
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Ralf Dechend
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, HELIOS Clinic, Berlin, Germany
| | - Babbette LaMarca
- Depart. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States; Depart. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States.
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27
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Infektiologische und immunologische Aspekte bei Kinderwunsch. GYNAKOLOGISCHE ENDOKRINOLOGIE 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10304-018-0196-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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28
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Negishi Y, Takahashi H, Kuwabara Y, Takeshita T. Innate immune cells in reproduction. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2018; 44:2025-2036. [DOI: 10.1111/jog.13759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuyuki Negishi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
| | - Hidemi Takahashi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
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29
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Immunologic Abnormalities, Treatments, and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: What Is Real and What Is Not? Clin Obstet Gynecol 2017; 59:509-23. [PMID: 27380207 DOI: 10.1097/grf.0000000000000215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss, depending on the definition, affects 1% to 3% of women aiming to have a child. Little is known about the direct causes of recurrent pregnancy loss, and the condition is considered to have a multifactorial and complex pathogenesis. The aim of this review was to summarize the evaluation and the management of the condition with specific emphasis on immunologic biomarkers identified as risk factors as well as current immunologic treatment options. The review also highlights and discusses areas in need of further research.
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30
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Zhang J, Shynlova O, Sabra S, Bang A, Briollais L, Lye SJ. Immunophenotyping and activation status of maternal peripheral blood leukocytes during pregnancy and labour, both term and preterm. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:2386-2402. [PMID: 28429508 PMCID: PMC5618694 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The onset of labour in rodents and in humans is associated with physiological inflammation which is manifested by infiltration of activated maternal peripheral leukocytes (mPLs) into uterine tissues. Here, we used flow cytometry to immunophenotype mPLs throughout gestation and labour, both term and preterm. Peripheral blood was collected from non-pregnant women and pregnant women in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Samples were also collected from women in active labour at term (TL) or preterm (PTL) and compared with women term not-in-labour (TNIL) and preterm not-in-labour (PTNIL). Different leukocyte populations were identified by surface markers such as CD45, CD14, CD15, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD56. Their activation status was measured by the expression levels of CD11b, CD44, CD55, CD181 and CD192 proteins. Of all circulating CD45+ leukocytes, we detected significant increases in CD15+ granulocytes (i) in pregnant women versus non-pregnant; (ii) in TL women versus TNIL and versus pregnant women in the 1st/2nd/3rd trimester; (iii) in PTL women versus PTNIL. TL was characterized by (iv) increased expressions of CD11b, CD55 and CD192 on granulocytes; (v) increased mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of CD55 and CD192 on monocytes; (vi) increased CD44 MFI on CD3+ lymphocytes as compared to late gestation. In summary, we have identified sub-populations of mPLs that are specifically activated in association with gestation (granulocytes) or with the onset of labour (granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes). Additionally, beta regression analysis created a set of reference values to rank this association between immune markers of pregnancy and to identify activation status with potential prognostic and diagnostic capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Zhang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Oksana Shynlova
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sally Sabra
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Annie Bang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laurent Briollais
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Lye
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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31
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Natural killer cell activity in women with recurrent miscarriage: Etiology and pregnancy outcome. J Reprod Immunol 2017; 120:42-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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32
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Templer S, Sacks G. A blessing and a curse: is high NK cell activity good for health and bad for reproduction? HUM FERTIL 2016; 19:166-72. [DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2016.1219072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Templer
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gavin Sacks
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- IVF Australia, Sydney, Australia
- St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia
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33
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Meng L, Lin J, Chen L, Wang Z, Liu M, Liu Y, Chen X, Zhu L, Chen H, Zhang J. Effectiveness and potential mechanisms of intralipid in treating unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2015; 294:29-39. [PMID: 26671484 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-015-3922-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AIM Abnormal natural killer (NK) cell activity has been suggested to be a high-risk factor associated with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). Intralipid, like immunoglobulin, is able to lower the activity of NK cells, which has been reported to be useful for improving URSA outcomes in pregnancy. This study aimed to determine whether intralipid could be used as an alternative treatment to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) which is expensive and has many side-effects. METHODS A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted from December 2010 to December 2012. Eligible participants were matched and sorted randomly into the intralipid and the IVIG group. The primary outcome was the rate of successful pregnancy. In addition, comparisons of peripheral NK cell activities were accessed by flow cytometry. Moreover, the effects of intralipid on trophoblasts were investigated using a Matrigel assay with the JEG-3 cell line. RESULTS Seventy-six patients in the intralipid group and 78 in the IVIG group completed the trial. There were no statistically significant differences in successful pregnancy rates between the two groups (92.1 vs 88.2 %, P = 0.415). The reduced NK cell concentrations revealed the cytotoxic effects of the treatments in both groups. The invasive ability of JEG-3 cells was inhibited during co-culture with patient PBMCs. However, the inhibitory effect could be alleviated if the patient PBMCs were stimulated with intralipid. CONCLUSIONS Intralipid can be used as an alternative treatment to IVIG for URSA, and its potential mechanism of action may occur by regulating NK cell function and promoting trophoblast invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Meng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jizong Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Libin Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhenhua Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Meilan Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yukun Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Liqiong Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Jianping Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang Road 107#, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China.
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Triggianese P, Perricone C, Conigliaro P, Chimenti MS, Perricone R, De Carolis C. Peripheral blood natural killer cells and mild thyroid abnormalities in women with reproductive failure. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2015; 29:65-75. [PMID: 26657164 DOI: 10.1177/0394632015615130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells have been reported in women with primary infertility and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and several studies have been presented to define cutoff values for abnormal peripheral blood NK cell levels in this context. Elevated levels of NK cells were observed in infertile/RSA women in the presence of thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), while no studies have been carried out, to date, on NK cells in infertile/RSA women with non-autoimmune thyroid diseases. The contribution of this study is two-fold: (1) the evaluation of peripheral blood NK cell levels in a cohort of infertile/RSA women, in order to confirm related data from the literature; and (2) the assessment of NK cell levels in the presence of both TAI and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in order to explore the possibility that the association between NK cells and thyroid function is not only restricted to TAI but also to SCH. In a retrospective study, 259 age-matched women (primary infertility [n = 49], primary RSA [n = 145], and secondary RSA [n = 65]) were evaluated for CD56+CD16+NK cells by flow cytometry. Women were stratified according to thyroid status: TAI, SCH, and without thyroid diseases (ET). Fertile women (n = 45) were used as controls. Infertile/RSA women showed higher mean NK cell levels than controls. The cutoff value determining the abnormal NK cell levels resulted ⩾15% in all the groups of women. Among the infertile/RSA women, SCH resulted the most frequently associated thyroid disorder while no difference resulted in the prevalence of TAI and ET women between patients and controls. A higher prevalence of women with NK cell levels ⩾15% was observed in infertile/RSA women with SCH when compared to TAI/ET women. According to our data, NK cell assessment could be used as a diagnostic tool in women with reproductive failure and we suggest that the possible association between NK cell levels and thyroid function can be described not only in the presence of TAI but also in the presence of non-autoimmune thyroid disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Triggianese
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of "Medicina dei Sistemi", Rome, Italy
| | - C Perricone
- Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - P Conigliaro
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of "Medicina dei Sistemi", Rome, Italy
| | - M S Chimenti
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of "Medicina dei Sistemi", Rome, Italy
| | - R Perricone
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of "Medicina dei Sistemi", Rome, Italy
| | - C De Carolis
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics II, San Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital, Rome, Italy
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Obayashi Y, Ozaki Y, Goto S, Obayashi S, Suzumori N, Ohyama F, Tone S, Sugiura-Ogasawara M. Role of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase and Tryptophan 2,3-Dioxygenase in Patients with Recurrent Miscarriage. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 75:69-77. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Obayashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Graduate School of Medical Science; Nagoya City University; Nagoya Aichi Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Ozaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Graduate School of Medical Science; Nagoya City University; Nagoya Aichi Japan
| | - Shinobu Goto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Graduate School of Medical Science; Nagoya City University; Nagoya Aichi Japan
| | | | - Nobuhiro Suzumori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Graduate School of Medical Science; Nagoya City University; Nagoya Aichi Japan
| | - Fumio Ohyama
- Department of Biochemistry; Kawasaki Medical School; Kurashiki Okayama Japan
| | - Shigenobu Tone
- Department of Biochemistry; Kawasaki Medical School; Kurashiki Okayama Japan
| | - Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Graduate School of Medical Science; Nagoya City University; Nagoya Aichi Japan
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Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Ozaki Y, Suzumori N. Management of recurrent miscarriage. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2015; 40:1174-9. [PMID: 24754846 DOI: 10.1111/jog.12388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent miscarriage is classically defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses. Many researchers have now revised this definition to two or more pregnancy losses because of the recent increase in the prevalence of childless couples. Established causes of recurrent miscarriage are antiphospholipid antibodies, uterine anomalies and abnormal chromosomes in either partner, particularly translocations. Antiphospholipid syndrome is the most important treatable cause of recurrent miscarriage. However, it is not yet established as to what kind of testing should be conducted in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss. Standardization of tests for antiphospholipid antibodies is needed. On the other hand, embryonic aneuploidy is the most frequent cause of recurrent miscarriage. Chromosome analysis of the embryo is important, because it has good predictive value for subsequent live birth. It is not necessary to give any medications for unexplained cases of recurrent miscarriage, and provision of psychological support may be the most important to encourage the couples to continue to conceive until a live birth results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
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Fukui A, Kamoi M, Funamizu A, Fuchinoue K, Chiba H, Yokota M, Fukuhara R, Mizunuma H. NK cell abnormality and its treatment in women with reproductive failures such as recurrent pregnancy loss, implantation failures, preeclampsia, and pelvic endometriosis. Reprod Med Biol 2015; 14:151-157. [PMID: 29259412 DOI: 10.1007/s12522-015-0207-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of uterine and peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with problems related to reproductive immunology such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), implantation failure or preeclampsia. NKp46, one of the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), is a unique marker that functions in NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. Expression of NKp46 on NK cells is lower in women with recurrent pregnancy loss and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Moreover, expression of NKp46 on peritoneal fluid NK cells is lower in women with pelvic endometriosis. Therefore, evaluation of NKp46 on peripheral blood NK cells may provide a means of screening for reproductive abnormalities. Recently, a new type of NK cell, the NK22 cell, has been reported. This cell may be a regulator not only of the mucosal barrier but also of reproduction. For women with RPL showing abnormal uterine and/or peripheral blood NK cells, both intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and intralipid treatment have been reported. The effects of these treatments are still controversial, and further studies are needed in order to clarify their true impact. The present review examines variations in the expression of NCRs on NK cells, the participation of NK22 cells in reproduction, and the possible use of intravenous immunoglobulin or intralipid treatment for women with recurrent pregnancy loss and NK cell abnormality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Fukui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine 5 Zaifu-cho 036-8562 Hirosaki Aomori Japan
| | - Mai Kamoi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine 5 Zaifu-cho 036-8562 Hirosaki Aomori Japan
| | - Ayano Funamizu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine 5 Zaifu-cho 036-8562 Hirosaki Aomori Japan
| | - Kohei Fuchinoue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine 5 Zaifu-cho 036-8562 Hirosaki Aomori Japan
| | - Hitomi Chiba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine 5 Zaifu-cho 036-8562 Hirosaki Aomori Japan
| | - Megumi Yokota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine 5 Zaifu-cho 036-8562 Hirosaki Aomori Japan
| | - Rie Fukuhara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine 5 Zaifu-cho 036-8562 Hirosaki Aomori Japan
| | - Hideki Mizunuma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine 5 Zaifu-cho 036-8562 Hirosaki Aomori Japan
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Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Atsumi T, Yamada H, Kitaori T, Ozaki Y, Katano K, Murashima A. Real-world practice of obstetricians in respect of assays for antiphospholipid antibodies. Mod Rheumatol 2015; 25:883-7. [PMID: 25736360 DOI: 10.3109/14397595.2015.1023978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The international classification criteria (CC) for definite antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) recommend confirmation of the sustained presence, for at least 12 weeks, of both lupus anticoagulant (LA), as determined by aPTT and RVVT, and anti β2glycoprotein I (β2GPI) or anticardiolipin (aCL) IgG and/or IgM. However, it remains unclear whether obstetricians comply with the aforementioned CC for the diagnosis of APS in daily clinical practice. We performed a nationwide survey to examine the attitudes of Japanese obstetricians toward the use of assays for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). METHODS A questionnaire was sent to 2,700 obstetric facilities where maternity checkups are carried out. The types of assays conducted for aPLs, ascertainment of persistence of the antibodies for at least 12 weeks, and the cutoff points used for the assays were examined. RESULTS Of the facilities surveyed, 61.5% carried out the assay(s) only once. In regard to the type of assay performed, 97.1% carried out the assay for aCL IgG and/or β2GPI-dependent aCL, while 67.9% performed the LA-aPTT and/or LA-RVVT assay. Only 8.8% carried out assays for both LA. As for the cutoff points used, 98% of the facilities used lower cutoff points described in the manufacturers' manuals rather than the cutoff values recommended in the CC. CONCLUSION Thus, only a limited number of facilities adhered precisely to the CC for the diagnosis of APS. Inappropriate treatment and unnecessary expense are potentially major concerns when facilities overdiagnose APS using lower cutoff points or without ascertaining the persistence of the antibodies for at least 12 weeks. On the other hand, some patients miss the opportunity to be treated for APS because of the absence of testing for LA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Nagoya , Japan
| | - Tatsuya Atsumi
- b Department of Rheumatology , Endocrinology and Nephrology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine , Sapporo , Japan
| | - Hideto Yamada
- c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine , Kobe , Japan
| | - Tamao Kitaori
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Nagoya , Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Ozaki
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Nagoya , Japan
| | - Kinue Katano
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Nagoya , Japan
| | - Atsuko Murashima
- d Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National center for child health and development , Tokyo , Japan
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Triggianese P, Perricone C, Perricone R, De Carolis C. Prolactin and natural killer cells: evaluating the neuroendocrine-immune axis in women with primary infertility and recurrent spontaneous abortion. Am J Reprod Immunol 2014; 73:56-65. [PMID: 25345488 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM An association between serum prolactin (PRL) and peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells has been described in healthy women. We explored for the first time the PRL response to the thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) test and the association between PRL and NK cells in women with reproductive failure. METHODS A total of 130 women [31 primary infertility, 69 recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), and 30 fertile women] were evaluated by a TRH test to analyze the following: basal PRL (bPRL), peak-time PRL, PRL absolute and relative increase, decline-time PRL. Hyperprolactinaemia (HPRL) was defined as bPRL ≥15 ng/mL. NK cells were characterized by immunophenotyping. RESULTS Significantly higher bPRL levels were found in the infertile women than in controls. Both the infertile and the RSA women showed significantly elevated NK levels. bPRL levels correlated with NK cells in HPRL-infertile women. CONCLUSIONS In patients with HPRL, an association between NK cell and bPRL results. The dynamic test in the infertile women would help in the management of the pregnancy impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Triggianese
- Department of 'Medicina dei Sistemi', Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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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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Interleukin-1beta -511T>C genetic variant contributes to recurrent pregnancy loss risk and peripheral natural killer cell proportion. Fertil Steril 2014; 102:206-212.e5. [PMID: 24784935 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify whether interleukin gene polymorphisms are risk factors for idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Korean women. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Hospital-based study. PATIENT(S) A cohort of 385 idiopathic RPL patients and 232 controls with Korean ethnicity. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Genotyping was assessed with a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. We examined polymorphisms in three interleukin (IL) genes: IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10. RESULT(S) The IL-1β -511T>C polymorphism was associated with RPL (-511TT vs. -511CC: adjusted odds ratio 1.826; 95% confidence interval 1.130-2.953). Allelic gene-gene interaction analysis revealed that the T/B2/G (IL-1β/IL-4/IL-10) allele combination was only detected in the RPL group (adjusted odds ratio 20.046; 95% confidence interval 1.188-338.204). The proportion of peripheral natural killer cells was higher in patients with the IL-1β -511C allele compared with the -511T allele. CONCLUSION(S) According to these results, IL-1β -511T>C may be a predisposing factor to RPL susceptibility. However, the mechanism underlying the function of IL-1β -511T>C in RPL remains to be determined, and further studies are needed to improve understanding of the roles of IL-1β -511T>C, using a larger and more heterogeneous cohort.
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Goto S, Ozaki Y, Suzumori N, Yasukochi A, Kawakubo T, Furuno T, Nakanishi M, Yamamoto K, Sugiura-Ogasawara M. Role of cathepsin E in decidual macrophage of patients with recurrent miscarriage. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 20:454-62. [PMID: 24464956 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous study, we reported that the cathepsin-cystatin system caused endometrial dysfunction in early pregnancy. Here, we investigated the existence and contribution of cathepsin E in early pregnancy in patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM). The effect of cathepsin deficiency on fertility and female reproductive organs were also analyzed in CatE(-/-) mice. Human studies were conducted in a hospital setting, with informed consent. Cervical mucus was collected from RM patients in early pregnancy (4-6 gestational weeks, n = 21), and the pregnancy outcome was compared prospectively. The cathepsin E expression in decidua of RM patients (n = 49) and normal pregnant women undergoing elective surgical abortion (n = 24) was measured using SDS-PAGE, and western blot analysis. Decidual macrophages were isolated from RM patients (n = 6) and stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Results from the mouse model showed that CatE(-/-) mice were fertile, but the litter number was significantly smaller. The uterus of CatE(-/-) mice showed granulation tissue. In human samples, protease activity of cathepsin E measured with Fluorescence-Quenching Substrate (KYS-1) in cervical mucus of patients who developed miscarriage was markedly decreased compared with patients without RM. The expression of cathepsin E in decidua, semi-quantified by SDS-PAGE, western blot analysis was significantly lower in RM patients compared with patients without RM. By double staining immunofluorescence, the staining of cathepsin E was observed in CD14 or CD68 positive cells in all deciduas. Upon stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ, the expression of cathepsin E in cell lysate of decidual macrophages was markedly reduced in RM patients compared with controls. The results suggested that decreased activity of cathepsin E produced by decidual macrophages might be responsible for the induction of miscarriages in some RM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinobu Goto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
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