1
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Maurice NJ, Erickson JR, DeJong CS, Mair F, Taber AK, Frutoso M, Islas LV, Vigil ALB, Lawler RL, McElrath MJ, Newell EW, Sullivan LB, Shree R, McCartney SA. Converging cytokine and metabolite networks shape asymmetric T cell fate at the term human maternal-fetal interface. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.10.598377. [PMID: 38915597 PMCID: PMC11195144 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.10.598377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Placentation presents immune conflict between mother and fetus, yet in normal pregnancy maternal immunity against infection is maintained without expense to fetal tolerance. This is believed to result from adaptations at the maternal-fetal interface (MFI) which affect T cell programming, but the identities (i.e., memory subsets and antigenic specificities) of T cells and the signals that mediate T cell fates and functions at the MFI remain poorly understood. We found intact recruitment programs as well as pro-inflammatory cytokine networks that can act on maternal T cells in an antigen-independent manner. These inflammatory signals elicit T cell expression of co-stimulatory receptors necessary for tissue retention, which can be engaged by local macrophages. Although pro-inflammatory molecules elicit T cell effector functions, we show that additional cytokine (TGF-β1) and metabolite (kynurenine) networks may converge to tune T cell function to those of sentinels. Together, we demonstrate an additional facet of fetal tolerance, wherein T cells are broadly recruited and restrained in an antigen-independent, cytokine/metabolite-dependent manner. These mechanisms provide insight into antigen-nonspecific T cell regulation, especially in tissue microenvironments where they are enriched.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Maurice
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Jami R Erickson
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Caitlin S DeJong
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Florian Mair
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Alexis K Taber
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Marie Frutoso
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Laura V Islas
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Richard L Lawler
- Immune Monitoring Core, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - M Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Evan W Newell
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Lucas B Sullivan
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Raj Shree
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Stephen A McCartney
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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2
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Mitchell RA, Ubillos I, Requena P, Campo JJ, Ome-Kaius M, Hanieh S, Umbers A, Samol P, Barrios D, Jiménez A, Bardají A, Mueller I, Menéndez C, Rogerson S, Dobaño C, Moncunill G. Chronic malaria exposure is associated with inhibitory markers on T cells that correlate with atypical memory and marginal zone-like B cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2024; 216:172-191. [PMID: 38387476 PMCID: PMC11036110 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxae015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic immune activation from persistent malaria infections can induce immunophenotypic changes associated with T-cell exhaustion. However, associations between T and B cells during chronic exposure remain undefined. We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells from malaria-exposed pregnant women from Papua New Guinea and Spanish malaria-naïve individuals using flow cytometry to profile T-cell exhaustion markers phenotypically. T-cell lineage (CD3, CD4, and CD8), inhibitory (PD1, TIM3, LAG3, CTLA4, and 2B4), and senescence (CD28-) markers were assessed. Dimensionality reduction methods revealed increased PD1, TIM3, and LAG3 expression in malaria-exposed individuals. Manual gating confirmed significantly higher frequencies of PD1+CD4+ and CD4+, CD8+, and double-negative (DN) T cells expressing TIM3 in malaria-exposed individuals. Increased frequencies of T cells co-expressing multiple markers were also found in malaria-exposed individuals. T-cell data were analyzed with B-cell populations from a previous study where we reported an alteration of B-cell subsets, including increased frequencies of atypical memory B cells (aMBC) and reduction in marginal zone (MZ-like) B cells during malaria exposure. Frequencies of aMBC subsets and MZ-like B cells expressing CD95+ had significant positive correlations with CD28+PD1+TIM3+CD4+ and DN T cells and CD28+TIM3+2B4+CD8+ T cells. Frequencies of aMBC, known to associate with malaria anemia, were inversely correlated with hemoglobin levels in malaria-exposed women. Similarly, inverse correlations with hemoglobin levels were found for TIM3+CD8+ and CD28+PD1+TIM3+CD4+ T cells. Our findings provide further insights into the effects of chronic malaria exposure on circulating B- and T-cell populations, which could impact immunity and responses to vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Mitchell
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Itziar Ubillos
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Requena
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Joseph J Campo
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Antigen Discovery Inc., Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Maria Ome-Kaius
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Sarah Hanieh
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexandra Umbers
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Paula Samol
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Diana Barrios
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfons Jiménez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Azucena Bardají
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Ivo Mueller
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Clara Menéndez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Carlota Dobaño
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Moncunill
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
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3
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Chen H, Chen Y, Zheng Q. The regulated cell death at the maternal-fetal interface: beneficial or detrimental? Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:100. [PMID: 38409106 PMCID: PMC10897449 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01867-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulated cell death (RCD) plays a fundamental role in placental development and tissue homeostasis. Placental development relies upon effective implantation and invasion of the maternal decidua by the trophoblast and an immune tolerant environment maintained by various cells at the maternal-fetal interface. Although cell death in the placenta can affect fetal development and even cause pregnancy-related diseases, accumulating evidence has revealed that several regulated cell death were found at the maternal-fetal interface under physiological or pathological conditions, the exact types of cell death and the precise molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this review, we summarized the apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy play both promoting and inhibiting roles in the differentiation, invasion of trophoblast, remodeling of the uterine spiral artery and decidualization, whereas ferroptosis and pyroptosis have adverse effects. RCD serves as a mode of communication between different cells to better maintain the maternal-fetal interface microenvironment. Maintaining the balance of RCD at the maternal-fetal interface is of utmost importance for the development of the placenta, establishment of an immune microenvironment, and prevention of pregnancy disorders. In addition, we also revealed an association between abnormal expression of key molecules in different types of RCD and pregnancy-related diseases, which may yield significant insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of pregnancy-related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Chen
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 3025# Shennan Road, Shenzhen, 518000, P.R. China
| | - Yin Chen
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 3025# Shennan Road, Shenzhen, 518000, P.R. China
| | - Qingliang Zheng
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 3025# Shennan Road, Shenzhen, 518000, P.R. China.
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4
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Norman SJ, Fontus G, Forestier C, Hiba T, Colon Pagan S, Osondu M, Shylovich V. The Protective Effect of Abortion on Preeclampsia: An Analysis of Current Research. Cureus 2024; 16:e54131. [PMID: 38496185 PMCID: PMC10942113 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
A review of the current literature on preeclampsia (PE) confirms that this pregnancy complication remains a common cause of maternal mortality. Within the last several decades, obstetric and gynecological researchers worldwide have indicated an association between prior abortions and the development of PE. Different studies have debated whether abortion is a protective or risk factor for PE. However, the most current literature demonstrates a stronger likelihood that a positive history of abortions will offer a protective effect against PE. This association has been supported by advancements in the reproductive immunology literature, which states complex fetal and paternal pathological mechanisms help to build maternal immunological tolerance, thus protecting expectant mothers from pregnancy complications. This literature review will compare studies supporting prior abortions offering a protective effect against PE with those stating prior abortions are a risk factor for the development of PE. Additionally, this critical review will discuss the advancements and current understanding of reproductive immunology and how it pertains to this association between positive abortion history and PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Norman
- Medicine, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy, SXM
| | - Gena Fontus
- Medicine, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy, SXM
| | | | - Tasneem Hiba
- Medicine, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy, SXM
| | | | - Michael Osondu
- Medicine, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy, SXM
| | - Volha Shylovich
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, BronxCare Health System, New York, USA
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5
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Manuel G, Coleman M, Orvis AS, Munson J, Li A, Kapur RP, Li M, Li E, Armistead B, Rajagopal L, Adams Waldorf KM. Spatial profiling of the placental chorioamniotic membranes reveals upregulation of immune checkpoint proteins during Group B Streptococcus infection in a nonhuman primate model. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1299644. [PMID: 38239507 PMCID: PMC10794649 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1299644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality, which is often complicated by intrauterine infection and inflammation. We have established a nonhuman primate model of Group B Streptococcus (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae) infection-associated preterm birth. Immune checkpoints are modulators of the immune response by activating or suppressing leukocyte function and are understudied in preterm birth. The objective of this study was to spatially profile changes in immune protein expression at the maternal-fetal interface during a GBS infection with a focus on immune checkpoints. Methods Twelve nonhuman primates (pigtail macaques, Macaca nemestrina) received a choriodecidual inoculation of either: 1) 1-5 X 108 colony forming units (CFU) of hyperhemolytic/hypervirulent GBS (GBSΔcovR, N=4); 2) an isogenic/nonpigmented strain (GBS ΔcovRΔcylE, N=4); or, 3) saline (N=4). A Cesarean section was performed at preterm labor or 3 days after GBS infection or 7 days after saline inoculation. Nanostring GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiling technology was used to segment protein expression within the amnion, chorion, and maternal decidua at the inoculation site using an immuno-oncology panel targeting 56 immunoproteins enriched in stimulatory and inhibitory immune checkpoint proteins or their protein ligands. Statistical analysis included R studio, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson and Spearman tests. Results Both inhibitory and stimulatory immune checkpoint proteins were significantly upregulated within the chorioamniotic membranes and decidua (VISTA, LAG3, PD-1, CD40, GITR), as well as their ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2, CD40L; all p<0.05). Immunostaining for VISTA revealed positive (VISTA+) cells, predominantly in the chorion and decidua. There were strong correlations between VISTA and amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α (all p<0.05), as well as maternal placental histopathology scores (p<0.05). Conclusion Differential regulation of multiple immune checkpoint proteins in the decidua at the site of a GBS infection indicates a major perturbation in immunologic homeostasis that could benefit the host by restricting immune-driven pathologies or the pathogen by limiting immune surveillance. Protein expression of VISTA, an inhibitory immune checkpoint, was upregulated in the chorion and decidua after GBS infection. Investigating the impact of innate immune cell expression of inhibitory immune checkpoints may reveal new insights into placental host-pathogen interactions at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gygeria Manuel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michelle Coleman
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Childrens Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Austyn S. Orvis
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Childrens Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jeff Munson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Amanda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Raj P. Kapur
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Seattle Children’s Hospital and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Miranda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Edmunda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Blair Armistead
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Childrens Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Childrens Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kristina M. Adams Waldorf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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6
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Mahajan S, Alexander A, Koenig Z, Saba N, Prasanphanich N, Hildeman DA, Chougnet CA, DeFranco E, Andorf S, Tilburgs T. Antigen-specific decidual CD8+ T cells include distinct effector memory and tissue-resident memory cells. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e171806. [PMID: 37681414 PMCID: PMC10544202 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.171806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal decidual CD8+ T cells must integrate the antithetical demands of providing immunity to infection while maintaining immune tolerance for fetal and placental antigens. Human decidual CD8+ T cells were shown to be highly differentiated memory T cells with mixed signatures of dysfunction, activation, and effector function. However, no information is present on how specificity for microbial or fetal antigens relates to their function or dysfunction. In addition, a key question, whether decidual CD8+ T cells include unique tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) or also effector memory T cell (Tem) types shared with peripheral blood populations, is unknown. Here, high-dimensional flow cytometry of decidual and blood CD8+ T cells identified 2 Tem populations shared in blood and decidua and 9 functionally distinct Trm clusters uniquely found in decidua. Interestingly, fetus- and virus-specific decidual CD8+ Trm cells had similar features of inhibition and cytotoxicity, with no significant differences in their expression of activation, inhibitory, and cytotoxic molecules, suggesting that not all fetus-specific CD8+ T cell responses are suppressed at the maternal-fetal interface. Understanding how decidual CD8+ T cell specificity relates to their function and tissue residency is crucial in advancing understanding of their contribution to placental inflammation and control of congenital infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Mahajan
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Immunobiology
| | - Aria Alexander
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Immunobiology
| | - Zachary Koenig
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Immunobiology
| | | | - Nina Prasanphanich
- Division of Immunobiology
- Division of Infectious disease, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Emily DeFranco
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Sandra Andorf
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, and
- Department of Pediatrics, and
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, and
| | - Tamara Tilburgs
- Division of Immunobiology
- Department of Pediatrics, and
- Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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7
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Saito S, Tsuda S, Nakashima A. T cell immunity and the etiology and pathogenesis of preeclampsia. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 159:104125. [PMID: 37573650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.104125] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is more common in nulliparous women, their first pregnancies with a new partner in multiparous women, pregnant women with short duration of cohabitation, and in pregnancies with donor eggs, where the fetus is completely foreign to the mother. The epidemiological study findings strongly suggest that inadequate induction of tolerance to paternal/fetal antigens is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This review proposes that preeclampsia may be caused by a reduction in paternal/fetal antigen-specific regulatory T (Treg) cells and decreased PD-1 expression on clonally expanded CD8+ effector memory T (TEM) cells, resulting in a breakdown of mother-to-fetus tolerance. The immune environment of preeclampsia is clearly different from that of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). In preeclampsia, cloned Treg cells decreases, and PD-1 expression on cloned CD8+TEM decreased. In RPL, the total number of Treg cells decreased, and the total number of clonally expanded CD8+TEM cells increases. In addition to these changes, increased differentiation of Th17 cells has also been observed in preeclampsia. This change is caused by soluble endoglin, that is increased in preeclampsia, neutralizing TGFβ. These immunological changes make the fetus more susceptible to attacks from maternal T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama-shi, Toyama, Japan.
| | - Sayaka Tsuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama-shi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Akitoshi Nakashima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama-shi, Toyama, Japan
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8
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Mayer-Blackwell K, Ryu H, Codd AS, Parks KR, MacMillan HR, Cohen KW, Stewart TL, Seese A, Lemos MP, De Rosa SC, Czartoski JL, Moodie Z, Nguyen LT, McGuire DJ, Ahmed R, Fiore-Gartland A, McElrath MJ, Newell EW. mRNA vaccination boosts S-specific T cell memory and promotes expansion of CD45RA int T EMRA-like CD8 + T cells in COVID-19 recovered individuals. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101149. [PMID: 37552991 PMCID: PMC10439252 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA vaccination both elicit spike (S)-specific T cell responses. To analyze how T cell memory from prior infection influences T cell responses to vaccination, we evaluated functional T cell responses in naive and previously infected vaccine recipients. Pre-vaccine S-specific responses are predictive of subsequent CD8+ T cell vaccine-response magnitudes. Comparing baseline with post-vaccination TCRβ repertoires, we observed large clonotypic expansions correlated with the frequency of spike-specific T cells. Epitope mapping the largest CD8+ T cell responses confirms that an HLA-A∗03:01 epitope was highly immunodominant. Peptide-MHC tetramer staining together with mass cytometry and single-cell sequencing permit detailed phenotyping and clonotypic tracking of these S-specific CD8+ T cells. Our results demonstrate that infection-induced S-specific CD8+ T cell memory plays a significant role in shaping the magnitude and clonal composition of the circulating T cell repertoire after vaccination, with mRNA vaccination promoting CD8+ memory T cells to a TEMRA-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koshlan Mayer-Blackwell
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Heeju Ryu
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Amy S Codd
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - K Rachael Parks
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Hugh R MacMillan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kristen W Cohen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Terri L Stewart
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Aaron Seese
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Maria P Lemos
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stephen C De Rosa
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Julie L Czartoski
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Zoe Moodie
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Long T Nguyen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Donald J McGuire
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Rafi Ahmed
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Andrew Fiore-Gartland
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - M Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| | - Evan W Newell
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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9
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Laskewitz A, Kieffer TEC, van Benthem KL, Erwich JJHM, Faas MM, Prins JR. Differences in Immune phenotype in decidual tissue from multigravid women compared to primigravid women. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13658. [PMID: 36414574 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Women with a previous uncomplicated pregnancy have lower risks of immune-associated pregnancy disorders in a subsequent pregnancy. This could indicate a different maternal immune response in multigravid women compared to primigravid women. In a previous study, we showed persistent higher memory T cell proportions with higher CD69 expression after uncomplicated pregnancies. To our knowledge no studies have reported on immune cells in general, and immune memory cells and macrophages specifically in multigravid and primigravid women. METHOD OF STUDY T cells and macrophages were isolated from term decidua parietalis and decidua basalis tissue from healthy primigravid women (n = 12) and multigravid women (n = 12). Using flow cytometry, different T cell populations including memory T cells and macrophages were analyzed. To analyze whether a different immune phenotype is already present in early pregnancy, decidual tissue from uncomplicated ongoing pregnancies between 9 and 12 weeks of gestation from multigravida and primigravid women was investigated using qRT-PCR. RESULTS Nearly all T cell subsets analyzed in the decidua parietalis had significantly higher CD69+ proportions in multigravid women compared to primigravid women. A higher proportion of decidual (CD50- ) M2-like macrophages was found in the decidua parietalis in multigravid women compared to primigravid women. In first trimester decidual tissue higher FOXP3 mRNA expression was found in multigravid women compared to primigravid women. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that decidual tissue from multigravid women has a more activated and immunoregulatory phenotype compared to decidual tissue from primigravid women in early pregnancy and at term which could suggest a more balanced immune adaptation towards pregnancy after earlier uncomplicated pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Laskewitz
- Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom E C Kieffer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Currently: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OLVG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karlijn L van Benthem
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Jaap H M Erwich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marijke M Faas
- Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelmer R Prins
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Immunopathological insights into villitis of unknown etiology on the basis of transplant immunology. Placenta 2023; 131:49-57. [PMID: 36473393 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) is an inflammatory disease characterized by the infiltration of maternal CD8 +T cells into the placental villi. Although the pathogenesis of VUE is still debated, dysregulation of the immune system appears to be an important factor in the development of the disease. Interaction of maternal T cells with the fetal antigens seems to be the trigger for the VUE onset. In this context, graft vs host disease (GVHD) and allographic rejection seem to share similarities in the VUE immunopathological mechanism, especially those related to immunoregulation. In this review, we compared the immunological characteristics of VUE with allograft rejection, and GVHD favoring a better knowledge of VUE pathogenesis that may contribute to VUE therapeutics strategies in the future.
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11
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Oravecz O, Romero R, Tóth E, Kapitány J, Posta M, Gallo DM, Rossi SW, Tarca AL, Erez O, Papp Z, Matkó J, Than NG, Balogh A. Placental galectins regulate innate and adaptive immune responses in pregnancy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1088024. [PMID: 36643922 PMCID: PMC9832025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1088024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Galectins are master regulators of maternal immune responses and placentation in pregnancy. Galectin-13 (gal-13) and galectin-14 (gal-14) are expressed solely by the placenta and contribute to maternal-fetal immune tolerance by inducing the apoptosis of activated T lymphocytes and the polarization of neutrophils toward an immune-regulatory phenotype.Furthermore, their decreased placental expression is associated with pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and miscarriage. Yet, our knowledge of the immunoregulatory role of placental galectins is incomplete. Methods This study aimed to investigate the effects of recombinant gal-13 and gal-14 on cell viability, apoptosis, and cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the signaling pathways involved. Results Herein, we show that gal-13 and gal-14 bind to the surface of non-activated PBMCs (monocytes, natural killer cells, B cells, and T cells) and increase their viability while decreasing the rate of their apoptosis without promoting cell proliferation. We also demonstrate that gal-13 and gal-14 induce the production of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, and interferon-gamma cytokines in a concentration-dependent manner in PBMCs. The parallel activation of Erk1/2, p38, and NF-ĸB signaling evidenced by kinase phosphorylation in PBMCs suggests the involvement of these pathways in the regulation of the galectin-affected immune cell functions. Discussion These findings provide further evidence on how placenta-specific galectins assist in the establishment and maintenance of a proper immune environment during a healthy pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Oravecz
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary,Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Eszter Tóth
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Kapitány
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Máté Posta
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary,Károly Rácz Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dahiana M. Gallo
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidad Del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - Adi L. Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States,Genesis Theranostix Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Offer Erez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States,Genesis Theranostix Group, Budapest, Hungary,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Zoltán Papp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary,Maternity Private Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Matkó
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nándor Gábor Than
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary,Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States,Genesis Theranostix Group, Budapest, Hungary,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary,Maternity Private Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary,*Correspondence: Nándor Gábor Than,
| | - Andrea Balogh
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
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12
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Wu HM, Chen LH, Hsu LT, Lai CH. Immune Tolerance of Embryo Implantation and Pregnancy: The Role of Human Decidual Stromal Cell- and Embryonic-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113382. [PMID: 36362169 PMCID: PMC9658721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo–endometrial communication plays a critical role in embryo implantation and the establishment of a successful pregnancy. Successful pregnancy outcomes involve maternal immune modulation during embryo implantation. The endometrium is usually primed and immunomodulated by steroid hormones and embryo signals for subsequent embryo implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. The roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and microRNAs for the embryo–maternal interactions have been elucidated recently. New evidence shows that endometrial EVs and trophectoderm-originated EV cargo, including microRNAs, proteins, and lipids in the physiological microenvironment, regulate maternal immunomodulation for embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy. On the other hand, trophoblast-derived EVs also control the cross-communication between the trophoblasts and immune cells. The exploration of EV functions and mechanisms in the processes of embryo implantation and pregnancy will shed light on a practical tool for the diagnostic or therapeutic approaches to reproductive medicine and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Ming Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Hsuan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Le-Tien Hsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chyong-Huey Lai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Gynecologic Cancer Research Center, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-328-1200 (ext. 8254)
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13
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Smetanenko EA, Khonina NA, Leplina OY, Tikhonova MA, Batorov EV, Pasman NM, Chernykh ER. Expression of inhibitory receptors PD-1, CTLA-4, and Tim-3 by peripheral T cells during pregnancy. BULLETIN OF SIBERIAN MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.20538/1682-0363-2022-3-87-95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Background. Inhibitory receptors and their ligands (also called checkpoint molecules) are important feedback regulators of the immune response. However, their role in immunological adaptation during pregnancy remains poorly understood.The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of checkpoint molecule (PD-1, CTLA-4, Tim-3) expression in peripheral T cells in pregnant women compared with fertile non-pregnant women.Materials and methods. The study included 36 women in the second half of pregnancy without pregnancy complications, 12 of whom had extragenital pathology. The control group consisted of 28 age-matched fertile non-pregnant women. The proportion of CD8+PD-1+, CD8+TIM-3+, CD8+PD-1+TIM-3+, CD4+PD-1+, CD4+TIM-3+, and CD4+PD-1+TIM-3+ was evaluated by flow cytometry using the corresponding monoclonal antibodies (BD Biosciences, USA).Results. The proportion of CD4+Tim-3+ and CD8+PD-1+ Т cells and CD4+ and CD8+ Т lymphocytes co-expressing PD-1 and Tim-3 in the peripheral blood of pregnant women was statistically significantly higher than in non-pregnant women. An increase in CD4+Tim-3+ and CD8+PD-1+ T cells was observed both in pregnant women with and without extragenital pathology. However, pregnant women with extragenital pathology were characterized by a higher CD8+PD-1+ count and a smaller number of CD8+Tim-3+ cells, as well as by a lack of an increase in PD-1+Tim-3+ T cells typical of pregnant women. The number of comorbidities was directly correlated with the proportion of CD8+PD-1+ lymphocytes and inversely correlated with the proportion of CD8+Tim-3+ and CD4+ PD-1+Tim-3+ cells. In addition, the expression of checkpoint molecules was associated with gestational age (a direct correlation was found with the proportion of CD8+Tim-3+, CD4+PD-1+Tim-3+, and CD8+PD-1+Tim-3+ cells) and to a lesser extent – with the age of pregnant women (an inverse relationship was found with the proportion of CD8+Tim-3+ cells).Conclusion. Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy are characterized by increased expression of PD-1 and Tim-3 molecules in peripheral T cells. At the same time, concomitant extragenital pathology affects the expression of these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - N. A. Khonina
- Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology; Institute of Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk National Research State University
| | - O. Yu. Leplina
- Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology
| | | | - E. V. Batorov
- Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology
| | - N. M. Pasman
- Institute of Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk National Research State University
| | - E. R. Chernykh
- Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology
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14
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Moffett A, Shreeve N. Local immune recognition of trophoblast in early human pregnancy: controversies and questions. Nat Rev Immunol 2022; 23:222-235. [PMID: 36192648 PMCID: PMC9527719 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00777-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The role of the maternal immune system in reproductive success in humans remains controversial. Here we focus on the events that occur in the maternal decidua during the first few weeks of human pregnancy, because this is the site at which maternal leukocytes initially interact with and can recognize fetal trophoblast cells, potentially involving allorecognition by both T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are the dominant leukocyte population in first-trimester decidua, and genetic studies point to a role of allorecognition by uterine NK cells in establishing a boundary between the mother and the fetus. By contrast, definitive evidence that allorecognition by decidual T cells occurs during the first trimester is lacking. Thus, our view is that during the crucial period when the placenta is established, damaging T cell-mediated adaptive immune responses towards placental trophoblast are minimized, whereas NK cell allorecognition contributes to successful implantation and healthy pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Moffett
- grid.5335.00000000121885934Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Norman Shreeve
- grid.5335.00000000121885934Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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15
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Ma Y, Liu X, Lou H, Chen L, He W, Pan Q, Liao D, Li J, Wu J, Xiong R, Liu S, Luo M, Wu F, Chen J, Liu Z, Tang L, Li Y, Gao Y. Impaired CD8 T cells in term pregnancy decidua with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 88:e13610. [PMID: 35957616 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is more likely to develop a state of chronicity in early life, particularly mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV in the fetus during pregnancy. Till now, little is known about the impact of chronic HBV infection on the immune status of the maternal-fetus interface, and the immune profile of placental lymphocytes in MTCT of HBV is poorly understood. METHOD OF STUDY Thirteen term pregnant women with chronic HBV infection (HBV-PW) and thirteen normal pregnant women as healthy control (HC-PW) were enrolled. The profile of placental immune cells and paired peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Compared with HC-PW, the frequency of CD8+ T cells from the term placenta of HBV-PW was significantly reduced. These cells showed decreased expression of activation molecules CD69 and HLA-DR; thus, decidual CD8+ T cells from HBV-PW demonstrated hypofunctional signature as evidenced by significantly reduced production of IFN-γ, as well as compromised ability of degranulation and proliferation. CONCLUSIONS These findings supported that hypoactivated decidual CD8+ T cells might possess compromised ability in chronically HBV-infected term pregnant women. Our study provides robust evidence for the necessity and importance of antiviral intervention in HBV-PW to prevent MTCT of HBV. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Xiaoyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Haonan Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Liang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University)
| | - Weiying He
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Qingqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Dandan Liao
- Department of Obstetrics, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital
| | - Juanhua Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Jingran Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Rongzhu Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Sihua Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Manling Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Fei Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Zhihua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Libo Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Yunfei Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
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16
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Madadi S, Mohammadinejad S, Alizadegan A, Hojjat-Farsangi M, Dolati S, Samadi Kafil H, Jadidi-Niaragh F, Soltani-Zangbar MS, Motavalli R, Etemadi J, Eghbal-Fard S, Aghebati-Maleki L, Danaii S, Taghavi S, Yousefi M. Expression level of immune checkpoint inhibitory factors in preeclampsia. Hum Immunol 2022; 83:628-636. [PMID: 35906120 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe complication in pregnancy, and its symptoms (proteinuria and hypertension) manifest after 20 weeks of gestation, affecting up to 8 % of pregnancies. The pregnant women's immune system uses different tolerance mechanisms to deal with a semi-allogeneic fetus. The T-cell subsets including CD8+, CD4+, and Treg play a critical role in maintaining pregnancies. The expression of immune checkpoint molecules in T-cells can ensure pregnancy at the feto-maternal interface by controlling immune responses. This research aims to evaluate the expression level of immune checkpoint factors, including PD-1, LAG-3, CTLA-4, and TIM-3 in normal pregnant women and PE patients. Decidual tissue was collected from 50 participants (25 PE and 25 control). For evaluating the genes expression, real-time PCR was employed. The western blot was used to assess the proteins level. The results of real-time PCR indicated significantly decreased expression level of these immune checkpoints in PE patients. In parallel to gene expression results, the protein level of PD-1, LAG-3, CTLA-4, and TIM-3 in the PE group was also reduced. We revealed that the profile of proteins and genes expression of immune checkpoints in the decidua of PE mothers are different from normal pregnancy and these results indicate aberrant expression of immune checkpoints such as PD-1, LAG-3, CTLA-4, and TIM-3 may cause maladaptation immune response which results in PE manifestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Madadi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sina Mohammadinejad
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amin Alizadegan
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Sanam Dolati
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Samadi Kafil
- Drug Applied Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sadegh Soltani-Zangbar
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Roza Motavalli
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jalal Etemadi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shadi Eghbal-Fard
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Shahla Danaii
- Gynecology Department, Eastern Azerbaijan ACECR ART Center, Eastern Azerbaijan Branch of ACECR, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Simin Taghavi
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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17
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Gomez-Lopez N, Galaz J, Miller D, Farias-Jofre M, Liu Z, Arenas-Hernandez M, Garcia-Flores V, Shaffer Z, Greenberg J, Theis KR, Romero R. The immunobiology of preterm labor and birth: intra-amniotic inflammation or breakdown of maternal-fetal homeostasis. Reproduction 2022; 164:R11-R45. [PMID: 35559791 PMCID: PMC9233101 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief The syndrome of preterm labor comprises multiple established and novel etiologies. This review summarizes the distinct immune mechanisms implicated in preterm labor and birth and highlights potential strategies for its prevention. Abstract Preterm birth, the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, results from preterm labor, a syndrome that includes multiple etiologies. In this review, we have summarized the immune mechanisms implicated in intra-amniotic inflammation, the best-characterized cause of preterm labor and birth, as well as novel etiologies non-associated with intra-amniotic inflammation (i.e. formally known as idiopathic). While the intra-amniotic inflammatory responses driven by microbes (infection) or alarmins (sterile) have some overlap in the participating cellular and molecular processes, the distinct natures of these two conditions necessitate the implementation of specific approaches to prevent adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Intra-amniotic infection can be treated with the correct antibiotics, whereas sterile intra-amniotic inflammation could potentially be treated by administering a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. betamethasone, inflammasome inhibitors, etc.). Recent evidence also supports the role of fetal T-cell activation as a newly described trigger for preterm labor and birth in a subset of cases diagnosed as idiopathic. Moreover, herein we also provide evidence of two maternally-driven immune mechanisms responsible for preterm births formerly considered to be idiopathic. First, the impairment of maternal Tregs can lead to preterm birth, likely due to the loss of immunosuppressive activity resulting in unleashed effector T-cell responses. Secondly, homeostatic macrophages were shown to be essential for maintaining pregnancy and promoting fetal development, and the adoptive transfer of homeostatic M2-polarized macrophages shows great promise for preventing inflammation-induced preterm birth. Collectively, in this review, we discuss the established and novel immune mechanisms responsible for preterm birth and highlight the potential targets for novel strategies aimed at preventing the multi-etiological syndrome of preterm labor leading to preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Marcelo Farias-Jofre
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Zhenjie Liu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Zachary Shaffer
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA
| | - Jonathan Greenberg
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Kevin R. Theis
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, 20892 and Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
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18
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Maneta E, Fultang L, Taylor J, Pugh M, Jenkinson W, Anderson G, Coomarasamy A, Kilby MD, Lissauer DM, Mussai F, De Santo C. G-CSF induces CD15 + CD14 + cells from granulocytes early in the physiological environment of pregnancy and the cancer immunosuppressive microenvironment. Clin Transl Immunology 2022; 11:e1395. [PMID: 35602884 PMCID: PMC9114661 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is frequently administered to patients with cancer to enhance granulocyte recovery post-chemotherapy. Clinical trials have also used G-CSF to modulate myeloid cell function in pregnancy and inflammatory diseases. Although the contribution of G-CSF to expanding normal granulocytes is well known, the effect of this cytokine on the phenotype and function of immunosuppressive granulocytic cells remains unclear. Here, we investigate the impact of physiological and iatrogenic G-CSF on an as yet undescribed granulocyte phenotype and ensuing outcome on T cells in the settings of cancer and pregnancy. Methods Granulocytes from patients treated with recombinant G-CSF, patients with late-stage cancer and women enrolled on a trial of recombinant G-CSF were phenotyped by flow cytometry. The ability and mechanism of polarised granulocytes to suppress T-cell proliferation were assessed by cell proliferation assays, flow cytometry and ELISA. Results We observed that G-CSF leads to a significant upregulation of CD14 expression on CD15+ granulocytes. These CD15+CD14+ cells are identified in the blood of patients with patients undergoing neutrophil mobilisation with recombinant G-CSF, and physiologically in women early in pregnancy or in those treated as a part of a clinical trial. Immunohistochemistry of tumor tissue or placental tissue identified the expression of G-CSF. The G-CSF upregulates the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CD15+CD14+ cells leading to the suppression of T-cell proliferation. Conclusions G-CSF induces a population of ROS+ immunosuppressive CD15+CD14+ granulocytes. Strategies for how recombinant G-CSF can be scheduled to reduce effects on T-cell therapies should be developed in future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebtehag Maneta
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Livingstone Fultang
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Jemma Taylor
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Matthew Pugh
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - William Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Arri Coomarasamy
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Mark D Kilby
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research University of Birmingham Birmingham UK.,Fetal Medicine Centre Birmingham Women's & Children's Foundation Trust Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
| | - David M Lissauer
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK.,Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Blantyre Malawi
| | - Francis Mussai
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Carmela De Santo
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
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19
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Gershater M, Romero R, Arenas-Hernandez M, Galaz J, Motomura K, Tao L, Xu Y, Miller D, Pique-Regi R, Martinez G, Liu Y, Jung E, Para R, Gomez-Lopez N. IL-22 Plays a Dual Role in the Amniotic Cavity: Tissue Injury and Host Defense against Microbes in Preterm Labor. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:1595-1615. [PMID: 35304419 PMCID: PMC8976826 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
IL-22 is a multifaceted cytokine with both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions that is implicated in multiple pathologies. However, the role of IL-22 in maternal-fetal immunity in late gestation is poorly understood. In this study, we first showed that IL-22+ T cells coexpressing retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (ROR-γt) are enriched at the human maternal-fetal interface of women with preterm labor and birth, which was confirmed by in silico analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data. T cell activation leading to preterm birth in mice was preceded by a surge in IL-22 in the maternal circulation and amniotic cavity; however, systemic administration of IL-22 in mice did not induce adverse perinatal outcomes. Next, using an ex vivo human system, we showed that IL-22 can cross from the choriodecidua to the intra-amniotic space, where its receptors (Il22ra1, Il10rb, and Il22ra2) are highly expressed by murine gestational and fetal tissues in late pregnancy. Importantly, amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-22 were elevated in women with sterile or microbial intra-amniotic inflammation, suggesting a dual role for this cytokine. The intra-amniotic administration of IL-22 alone shortened gestation and caused neonatal death in mice, with the latter outcome involving lung maturation and inflammation. IL-22 plays a role in host response by participating in the intra-amniotic inflammatory milieu preceding Ureaplasma parvum-induced preterm birth in mice, which was rescued by the deficiency of IL-22. Collectively, these data show that IL-22 alone is capable of causing fetal injury leading to neonatal death and can participate in host defense against microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity leading to preterm labor and birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meyer Gershater
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Center for Molecular Obstetrics and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI; and
| | - Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Kenichiro Motomura
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Li Tao
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Roger Pique-Regi
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
- Center for Molecular Obstetrics and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | - Gregorio Martinez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Yesong Liu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Eunjung Jung
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Robert Para
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
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20
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Habets DHJ, Pelzner K, Wieten L, Spaanderman MEA, Villamor E, Al-Nasiry S. Intravenous immunoglobulins improve live birth rate among women with underlying immune conditions and recurrent pregnancy loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2022; 18:23. [PMID: 35277202 PMCID: PMC8917719 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-022-00660-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is increasingly used as a treatment for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) despite lack of clear evidence on efficacy. Recent data suggest IVIG might be more effective in a subgroup of women with an aberrant immunological profile. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the effectiveness of IVIG treatment on pregnancy outcome among women with RPL and underlying immunological conditions (e.g., elevated NK cell percentage, elevated Th1/Th2 ratio, diagnosis with autoimmune disorders) was conducted. Eight non-randomized controlled trials, including 478 women (intervention: 284; control: 194), met eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis showed that treatment with IVIG was associated with a two-fold increase in live birth rate (RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.44–2.73, P < 0.0001). The effect of IVIG was particularly marked in the subgroup of studies including patients based on presence of elevated (> 12%) NK-cell percentage (RR 2.32, 95% CI 1.77–3.02, P < 0.0001) and when starting intervention prior to or during cycle of conception (RR 4.47, 95% CI 1.53–13.05, P = 0.006). In conclusion, treatment with IVIG may improve live birth rate in women with RPL and underlying immune conditions. However, these results should be interpreted with caution as studies are limited by low number of participants and the non-randomized design, which represent seriously biases. Future randomized controlled trials in women with RPL and underlying immune conditions are needed before using IVIG in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise H J Habets
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Kim Pelzner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte Wieten
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc E A Spaanderman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Villamor
- GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Salwan Al-Nasiry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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21
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Lewis EL, Xu R, Beltra JC, Ngiow SF, Cohen J, Telange R, Crane A, Sawinski D, Wherry EJ, Porrett PM. NFAT-dependent and -independent exhaustion circuits program maternal CD8 T cell hypofunction in pregnancy. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20201599. [PMID: 34882194 PMCID: PMC8666877 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20201599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a common immunization event, but the molecular mechanisms and immunological consequences provoked by pregnancy remain largely unknown. We used mouse models and human transplant registry data to reveal that pregnancy induced exhausted CD8 T cells (Preg-TEX), which associated with prolonged allograft survival. Maternal CD8 T cells shared features of exhaustion with CD8 T cells from cancer and chronic infection, including transcriptional down-regulation of ribosomal proteins and up-regulation of TOX and inhibitory receptors. Similar to other models of T cell exhaustion, NFAT-dependent elements of the exhaustion program were induced by fetal antigen in pregnancy, whereas NFAT-independent elements did not require fetal antigen. Despite using conserved molecular circuitry, Preg-TEX cells differed from TEX cells in chronic viral infection with respect to magnitude and dependency of T cell hypofunction on NFAT-independent signals. Altogether, these data reveal the molecular mechanisms and clinical consequences of maternal CD8 T cell hypofunction and identify pregnancy as a previously unappreciated context in which T cell exhaustion may occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Lewis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jean-Christophe Beltra
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Shin Foong Ngiow
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jordana Cohen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rahul Telange
- Department of Surgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Alexander Crane
- Department of Surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Deirdre Sawinski
- Department of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - E. John Wherry
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Paige M. Porrett
- Department of Surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Surgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- Comprehensive Transplant Institute, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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22
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Saito S. Reconsideration of the Role of Regulatory T Cells during Pregnancy: Differential Characteristics of Regulatory T Cells between the Maternal-Fetal Interface and Peripheral Sites and between Early and Late Pregnancy. Med Princ Pract 2022; 31:403-414. [PMID: 36195068 PMCID: PMC9801372 DOI: 10.1159/000527336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in implantation of the embryo and maintenance of pregnancy after allogeneic mating. Implantation failure, miscarriage, and preeclampsia are associated with decreased numbers of Treg cells or with dysfunctional Treg cells. Treg cells are classified into naturally occurring Treg (nTreg) cells or thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) cells that differentiate in the thymus and induce tolerance to self-antigens, while induced Treg (iTreg) or peripheral Treg (pTreg) cells differentiate in the periphery and induce transient tolerance to foreign antigens. Memory nTreg or iTreg cells were recently reported to accumulate in the uterus during early pregnancy and contribute to the establishment of pregnancy. Miscarriage is characterized by the downregulation of the total numbers of Treg cells rather than a downregulation of the numbers of paternal/fetal antigen-specific Treg cells. In addition to the volume of paternal/fetal antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, the number of paternal/fetal antigen-specific Treg cells, which protect the fetus/placenta against maternal immune cell attack, increases after the second trimester of pregnancy. Clonal Treg cells which are surrogate markers of paternal/fetal antigen-specific Treg cells in humans may be involved in the development of preeclampsia during the mid- to late pregnancy stage, as evidenced by their downregulation in the decidua of preeclamptic cases. This review summarizes recent findings on Treg cells and discusses the roles, in the maintenance of pregnancy, of different types of Treg cells such as paternal/fetal antigen-specific Treg, pregnancy-associated memory Treg, nTreg (or tTreg), and iTreg (or pTreg cells).
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23
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Understanding human immunity in idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021; 270:17-29. [PMID: 35007974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Miscarriage, defined as the loss of a pregnancy before a viable gestation, affects 1 in 6 couples. Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as two or more miscarriages, affects up to 1.9% of couples. The physical, psychological, and financial impact of miscarriage can be substantial. However, despite its multifactorial etiology, for up to 50% of couples a reason behind this condition cannot be identified, termed 'idiopathic RPL'. Much recent research has strived to understand this, with immune dysregulation being a source of particular interest. In this short review we summarize the current evidence on the complex role of the immune system both pre- and early post-conception in RPL. A key question is whether systemic peripheral blood markers, in particular natural killer cell and T cells, may be utilized to accurately predict and/ or diagnose those pregnancies at high risk of loss. Given the invasive nature of endometrial testing, identification of reliable peripheral immune biomarkers is particularly appealing. Clinical trials using potent immunomodulatory agents, including intravenous immunoglobulin, donor leukocyte immunization, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors, have been undertaken with the primary objective of preventing miscarriage in women with RPL. Standardisation of both diagnostic and prognostic immune cell testing assays is required to permit accurate identification of those women who may benefit from immunomodulation. Prompt clarification is required to meet the increasing expectation from couples and clinicians, as without these advancements women are at risk of exposure to potent immune-therapies and subsequent studies are at risk of failure, generating further controversy regarding the role of immune dysregulation in women with RPL. Through this review we highlight clear gaps in our current knowledge on immune activity in RPL.
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24
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Sawyer KM. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of perinatal depression and offspring outcomes. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 18:100390. [PMID: 34877551 PMCID: PMC8633814 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of depression is becoming increasingly apparent, but its role in perinatal depression is less well-studied. Pregnancy and the postpartum are characterised by distinct and changing inflammatory profiles throughout, which makes the study of depression-related alterations in this period complex. This review presents literature discussing a role for the immune system in both antenatal and postnatal depression. Furthermore, literature investigating the role of the maternal immune system on breast milk composition and offspring immunological and behavioural outcomes is discussed, before concluding with suggestions for future work as this developing field grows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi M Sawyer
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
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25
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Mei Y, Ran Y, Liu Z, Zhou Y, He J, Yin N, Qi H. IL-27 Mediates Th1 Cells Infiltration in Fetal Membranes in Preterm Labor. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:1764-1775. [PMID: 34859389 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00803-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of IL-27 on Th1 cells infiltration in human fetal membranes (FMs) in preterm labor (PL). The expression of Th1 cells specific transcription factor (T-bet), Th1 cells infiltration related molecules (CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and ICAM-1), and IL-27 receptor α subunit (IL-27Rα) was compared in human FMs from pregnant women in PL group and term labor (TL) group. In vitro, rhIL-27 was added to the culture medium of amniotic epithelial cells (WISH cells) to detect the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and ICAM-1. Furthermore, the underlying signaling pathway was detected by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis and western blot analysis. The expression of T-bet and CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and ICAM-1 as well as IL-27Rα was higher in human FMs from PL group than TL group. In vitro, rhIL-27 could upregulate the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and ICAM-1 in WISH cells. Using gene-set enrichment analysis of FMs, JAK/STAT signaling pathway was found to be activated by IL-27 signaling in PL. Using western blot analysis, JAK2/STAT1/STAT3 signaling pathway was confirmed to be enhanced in rhIL-27 treated WISH cells. In addition, AG490 (JAK2 inhibitor) could inhibit the secretion of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 in WISH cells stimulated by rhIL-27. Our results suggested that IL-27 may promote Th1 cells infiltration in human FMs in PL, by promoting the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 at least partly through JAK2/STAT1/STAT3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwen Mei
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yuxin Ran
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yunqian Zhou
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jie He
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Nanlin Yin
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Hongbo Qi
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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26
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Huang J, Zhang W, Zhao Y, Li J, Xie M, Lu Y, Peng Q, Zhang J, Li P, Dai L. Deciphering the Intercellular Communication Network of Peripartum Decidua that Orchestrates Delivery. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:770621. [PMID: 34805176 PMCID: PMC8602332 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.770621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular communication in the decidua plays important roles in relaying information between the maternal and fetal systems in the maintenance of pregnancy and the transition to labor. To date, several studies have explored cell-cell communications in the decidua during different periods of pregnancy, but studies systematically decoding the intercellular communication network, its internal cascades, and their involvement in labor are still lacking. In this study, we reconstructed a decidual cell-cell communication network based on scRNA-seq of peripartum decidua via the CellCall method. The results showed that endometrial cells (EECs) and extravillous trophoblasts relayed most of the common intercellular signals in the decidua both before delivery (DBD) and after delivery (DAD). Endothelial cells and EECs controlled many WNT-signaling-related intercellular communication factors that differed between DBD and DAD, some of which could be candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of labor. Analysis of intercellular communications related to T cells identified abundant maternal-fetal immune-tolerance-related communication, such as TNFSF14-TNFRSF14/LTBR and FASLG-FAS signalings. We further explored the characteristics of the B cell receptor (BCR) and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires by single-cell BCR/TCR sequencing. The results showed no significant differences in clonal expansion of B/T cells between DAD and DBD, indicating there was no significant change to adaptive immunity at the maternal-fetal interface during delivery. In summary, the findings provide a comprehensive view of the intercellular communication landscape in the peripartum decidua and identified some key intercellular communications involved in labor and maternal-fetal immune tolerance. We believe that our study provides valuable clues for understanding the mechanisms of pregnancy and provides possible diagnostic strategies for the onset of labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrui Huang
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weishe Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Early Life Development and Disease Prevention, Changsha, China
| | - Yanhua Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingzhi Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mingkun Xie
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiaozhen Peng
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiejie Zhang
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Early Life Development and Disease Prevention, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lei Dai
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Early Life Development and Disease Prevention, Changsha, China
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Hardardottir L, Bazzano MV, Glau L, Gattinoni L, Köninger A, Tolosa E, Solano ME. The New Old CD8+ T Cells in the Immune Paradox of Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:765730. [PMID: 34868016 PMCID: PMC8635142 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.765730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are the most frequent T cell population in the immune cell compartment at the feto-maternal interface. Due to their cytotoxic potential, the presence of CD8+ T cells in the immune privileged pregnant uterus has raised considerable interest. Here, we review our current understanding of CD8+ T cell biology in the uterus of pregnant women and discuss this knowledge in relation to a recently published immune cell Atlas of human decidua. We describe how the expansion of CD8+ T cells with an effector memory phenotype often presenting markers of exhaustion is critical for a successful pregnancy, and host defense towards pathogens. Moreover, we review new evidence on the presence of long-lasting immunological memory to former pregnancies and discuss its impact on prospective pregnancy outcomes. The formation of fetal-specific memory CD8+ T cell subests in the uterus, in particular of tissue resident, and stem cell memory cells requires further investigation, but promises interesting results to come. Advancing the knowledge of CD8+ T cell biology in the pregnant uterus will be pivotal for understanding not only tissue-specific immune tolerance but also the etiology of complications during pregnancy, thus enabling preventive or therapeutic interventions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilja Hardardottir
- Laboratory for Translational Perinatology- Focus: Immunology, University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maria Victoria Bazzano
- Laboratory for Translational Perinatology- Focus: Immunology, University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Laura Glau
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luca Gattinoni
- Department of Functional Immune Cell Modulation, Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology, Regensburg, Germany
- University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Regensburg at the St. Hedwig Hospital of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Eva Tolosa
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Emilia Solano
- Laboratory for Translational Perinatology- Focus: Immunology, University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Wood H, Acharjee A, Pearce H, Quraishi MN, Powell R, Rossiter A, Beggs A, Ewer A, Moss P, Toldi G. Breastfeeding promotes early neonatal regulatory T-cell expansion and immune tolerance of non-inherited maternal antigens. Allergy 2021; 76:2447-2460. [PMID: 33432577 DOI: 10.1111/all.14736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is associated with long-term health benefits, such as a lower incidence of childhood infections, asthma, obesity and autoimmune disorders. However, little is known regarding how the maternal and neonatal immune systems interact after parturition when the neonate receives nutrition from maternal breast milk. METHODS We undertook a comparative analysis of immune repertoire and function at birth and 3 weeks of age in a cohort of 38 term neonates born by caesarean section grouped according to feeding method (breast milk versus formula). We used flow cytometry to study the immune phenotype in neonatal and maternal blood samples and mixed lymphocyte reactions to establish the proliferation response of neonatal versus maternal lymphocytes and vice versa. The microbiome of neonatal stool samples was also investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing. RESULTS We show that the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) increases in this period and is nearly twofold higher in exclusively breastfed neonates compared with those who received formula milk only. Moreover, breastfed neonates show a specific and Treg-dependent reduction in proliferative T-cell responses to non-inherited maternal antigens (NIMA), associated with a reduction in inflammatory cytokine production. We also observed the enrichment of short chain fatty acid producing taxa (Veillonella and Gemella) in stool samples of exclusively breastfed neonates. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that exposure of the neonate to maternal cells through breastfeeding acts to drive the maturation of Tregs and 'tolerizes' the neonate towards NIMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wood
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Neonatology, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS FT, Birmingham, UK
| | - Animesh Acharjee
- Centre for Computational Biology, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS FT, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS FT, Birmingham, UK
| | - Hayden Pearce
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Richard Powell
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Amanda Rossiter
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrew Beggs
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrew Ewer
- Department of Neonatology, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS FT, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paul Moss
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Gergely Toldi
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Neonatology, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS FT, Birmingham, UK
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29
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Moström MJ, Scheef EA, Sprehe LM, Szeltner D, Tran D, Hennebold JD, Roberts VHJ, Maness NJ, Fahlberg M, Kaur A. Immune Profile of the Normal Maternal-Fetal Interface in Rhesus Macaques and Its Alteration Following Zika Virus Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:719810. [PMID: 34394129 PMCID: PMC8358803 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.719810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal decidua is an immunologically complex environment that balances maintenance of immune tolerance to fetal paternal antigens with protection of the fetus against vertical transmission of maternal pathogens. To better understand host immune determinants of congenital infection at the maternal-fetal tissue interface, we performed a comparative analysis of innate and adaptive immune cell subsets in the peripheral blood and decidua of healthy rhesus macaque pregnancies across all trimesters of gestation and determined changes after Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Using one 28-color and one 18-color polychromatic flow cytometry panel we simultaneously analyzed the frequency, phenotype, activation status and trafficking properties of αβ T, γδ T, iNKT, regulatory T (Treg), NK cells, B lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DC). Decidual leukocytes showed a striking enrichment of activated effector memory and tissue-resident memory CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ Tregs, CD56+ NK cells, CD14+CD16+ monocytes, CD206+ tissue-resident macrophages, and a paucity of B lymphocytes when compared to peripheral blood. t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (tSNE) revealed unique populations of decidual NK, T, DC and monocyte/macrophage subsets. Principal component analysis showed distinct spatial localization of decidual and circulating leukocytes contributed by NK and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and separation of decidua based on gestational age contributed by memory CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Decidua from 10 ZIKV-infected dams obtained 16-56 days post infection at third (n=9) or second (n=1) trimester showed a significant reduction in frequency of activated, CXCR3+, and/or Granzyme B+ memory CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and γδ T compared to normal decidua. These data suggest that ZIKV induces local immunosuppression with reduced immune recruitment and impaired cytotoxicity. Our study adds to the immune characterization of the maternal-fetal interface in a translational nonhuman primate model of congenital infection and provides novel insight in to putative mechanisms of vertical transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda J Moström
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Scheef
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, United States
| | - Lesli M Sprehe
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, United States
| | - Dawn Szeltner
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, United States
| | - Dollnovan Tran
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, United States
| | - Jon D Hennebold
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Victoria H J Roberts
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Nicholas J Maness
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States.,Division of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, United States
| | - Marissa Fahlberg
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, United States
| | - Amitinder Kaur
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
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30
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Zhang X, Li Y, Huang C, Liu S, Chen X, Yu S, Diao L, Zeng Y. The role of decidual natural killer cell derived soluble factors in early pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13477. [PMID: 34051025 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Decidual natural killer cell (dNK), the predominant decidual lymphocytes in early pregnancy, are primarily identified based on their CD56bright CD16- phenotype and play an important role in maintaining immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. dNK dysfunction reportedly leads to pathological pregnancy. Indeed, various dNK-derived soluble factors are involved in a series of key processes related to pregnancy outcomes. In this review, we summarize the roles of these dNK-derived factors in immune tolerance and embryonic development to improve the current understanding regarding the physiological and pathological mechanisms that occur during pregnancy, while potentially informing the development of effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueling Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuye Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunyu Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China
| | - Su Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China
| | - Xian Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuyi Yu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China
| | - Lianghui Diao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, 518045, Guangdong, China
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31
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Yong HEJ, Chan SY. Current approaches and developments in transcript profiling of the human placenta. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 26:799-840. [PMID: 33043357 PMCID: PMC7600289 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is the active interface between mother and foetus, bearing the molecular marks of rapid development and exposures in utero. The placenta is routinely discarded at delivery, providing a valuable resource to explore maternal-offspring health and disease in pregnancy. Genome-wide profiling of the human placental transcriptome provides an unbiased approach to study normal maternal–placental–foetal physiology and pathologies. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE To date, many studies have examined the human placental transcriptome, but often within a narrow focus. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of human placental transcriptome studies, encompassing those from the cellular to tissue levels and contextualize current findings from a broader perspective. We have consolidated studies into overarching themes, summarized key research findings and addressed important considerations in study design, as a means to promote wider data sharing and support larger meta-analysis of already available data and greater collaboration between researchers in order to fully capitalize on the potential of transcript profiling in future studies. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database, National Center for Biotechnology Information and European Bioinformatics Institute dataset repositories were searched, to identify all relevant human studies using ‘placenta’, ‘decidua’, ‘trophoblast’, ‘transcriptome’, ‘microarray’ and ‘RNA sequencing’ as search terms until May 2019. Additional studies were found from bibliographies of identified studies. OUTCOMES The 179 identified studies were classifiable into four broad themes: healthy placental development, pregnancy complications, exposures during pregnancy and in vitro placental cultures. The median sample size was 13 (interquartile range 8–29). Transcriptome studies prior to 2015 were predominantly performed using microarrays, while RNA sequencing became the preferred choice in more recent studies. Development of fluidics technology, combined with RNA sequencing, has enabled transcript profiles to be generated of single cells throughout pregnancy, in contrast to previous studies relying on isolated cells. There are several key study aspects, such as sample selection criteria, sample processing and data analysis methods that may represent pitfalls and limitations, which need to be carefully considered as they influence interpretation of findings and conclusions. Furthermore, several areas of growing importance, such as maternal mental health and maternal obesity are understudied and the profiling of placentas from these conditions should be prioritized. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Integrative analysis of placental transcriptomics with other ‘omics’ (methylome, proteome and metabolome) and linkage with future outcomes from longitudinal studies is crucial in enhancing knowledge of healthy placental development and function, and in enabling the underlying causal mechanisms of pregnancy complications to be identified. Such understanding could help in predicting risk of future adversity and in designing interventions that can improve the health outcomes of both mothers and their offspring. Wider collaboration and sharing of placental transcriptome data, overcoming the challenges in obtaining sufficient numbers of quality samples with well-defined clinical characteristics, and dedication of resources to understudied areas of pregnancy will undoubtedly help drive the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E J Yong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shiao-Yng Chan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Kinder JM, Turner LH, Stelzer IA, Miller-Handley H, Burg A, Shao TY, Pham G, Way SS. CD8 + T Cell Functional Exhaustion Overrides Pregnancy-Induced Fetal Antigen Alloimmunization. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107784. [PMID: 32579916 PMCID: PMC7383938 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy necessitates physiological exposure, and often re-exposure, to foreign fetal alloantigens. The consequences after pregnancy are highly varied, with evidence of both alloimmunization and expanded tolerance phenotypes. We show that pregnancy primes the accumulation of fetal-specific maternal CD8+ T cells and their persistence as an activated memory pool after parturition. Cytolysis and the potential for robust secondary expansion occurs with antigen re-encounter in non-reproductive contexts. Comparatively, CDS+ T cell functional exhaustion associated with increased PD-1 and LAG-3 expression occurs with fetal antigen re-stimulation during subsequent pregnancy. PD-L1/LAG-3 neutralization unleashes the activation of fetal-specific CD8+ T cells, causing fetal wastage selectively during secondary but not primary pregnancy. Thus, CD8+ T cells with fetal alloantigen specificity persist in mothers after pregnancy, and protection against fetal wastage in subsequent pregnancies is maintained by their unique susceptibility to functional exhaustion. Together, distinct mechanisms whereby fetal tolerance is maintained during primary compared with subsequent pregnancies are demonstrated. Expecting mothers are immunologically aware of, but do not reject, genetically foreign tissues of the developing fetus. Comparing tolerance occuring during first and subsequent pregnancies, Kinder et al. show that activated memory CD8+ T cells primed by prior pregnancy are uniquely prone to functional exhaustion with fetal antigen re-stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Kinder
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Lucien H Turner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ina A Stelzer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Hilary Miller-Handley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ashley Burg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Tzu-Yu Shao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Giang Pham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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Navigating the murky waters of maternal fetal tolerance: Put big data at the helm. Hum Immunol 2021; 82:340-345. [PMID: 33589281 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The last 20 years have seen significant progress in our understanding of the maternal T cell response to the fetus. However, major questions still remain. In this review, we discuss the contribution of Big Data approaches to our evolving understanding of maternal fetal tolerance. This includes investigations which have employed systems immunology, high dimensional mass spectrometry, whole genome transcriptomics, as well as single-cell RNA-sequencing. These studies reveal "new" mechanisms of T cell dysfunction that are conserved across immune responses and highlight the breadth and magnitude of the systemic maternal response to the fetus during pregnancy.
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Easily generated hematological biomarkers and prediction of placental abruption. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2021; 50:102082. [PMID: 33545414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2021.102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Placental abruption (PA) is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Increasing evidence has shown an association between abruption and inflammation as well as utilization of hematological biomarkers to predict the later. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ration (PLR) taken early in pregnancy in predicting later occurrence of PA. STUDY DESIGN A nested case control study, which compared parturient with PA (cases) to parturient without PA (controls). Parturient were matched by hospitalization date and maternal age. Demographic, clinical, and obstetrical characteristics were retrieved. Hematological indices derived from complete blood count taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, specifically NLR and PLR were retrieved and compared between the groups. Mann-Whitney and T-test were performed for not normally and normally distributed continuous variables respectively, categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-Square or Fisher Exact test as appropriate. RESULTS The study comprised of 232 patients. Of these, 131 had suffered from PA and 131 without PA. Parturient who had PA has significantly higher rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, mean neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet count did not differ between the groups. A comparison of NLR and PLR between the study groups yielded no significant differences. CONCLUSION NLR and PLR taken early in the course of pregnancy were not found associated with PA. Given the potentially severe consequences of PA, the biological plausibility and the readiness of these hematological markers, further investigation of this method with larger, prospective studies are needed.
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Mayoral Andrade G, Vásquez Martínez G, Pérez-Campos Mayoral L, Hernández-Huerta MT, Zenteno E, Pérez-Campos Mayoral E, Martínez Cruz M, Martínez Cruz R, Matias-Cervantes CA, Meraz Cruz N, Romero Díaz C, Cruz-Parada E, Pérez-Campos E. Molecules and Prostaglandins Related to Embryo Tolerance. Front Immunol 2020; 11:555414. [PMID: 33329514 PMCID: PMC7710691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.555414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally understood that the entry of semen into the female reproductive tract provokes molecular and cellular changes facilitating conception and pregnancy. We show a broader picture of the participation of prostaglandins in the fertilization, implantation and maintenance of the embryo. A large number of cells and molecules are related to signaling networks, which regulate tolerance to implantation and maintenance of the embryo and fetus. In this work, many of those cells and molecules are analyzed. We focus on platelets, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and group 2 innate lymphoid cells involved in embryo tolerance in order to have a wider view of how prostaglandins participate. The combination of platelets and neutrophil extracellular traps (Nets), uterine innate lymphoid cells (uILC), Treg cells, NK cells, and sex hormones have an important function in immunological tolerance. In both animals and humans, the functions of these cells can be regulated by prostaglandins and soluble factors in seminal plasma to achieve an immunological balance, which maintains fetal-maternal tolerance. Prostaglandins, such as PGI2 and PGE2, play an important role in the suppression of the previously mentioned cells. PGI2 inhibits platelet aggregation, in addition to IL-5 and IL-13 expression in ILC2, and PGE2 inhibits some neutrophil functions, such as chemotaxis and migration processes, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) biosynthesis, ROS production, and the formation of extracellular traps, which could help prevent trophoblast injury and fetal loss. The implications are related to fertility in female when seminal fluid is deposited in the vagina or uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Mayoral Andrade
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | | | - Laura Pérez-Campos Mayoral
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | | | - Edgar Zenteno
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico City, México
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Campos Mayoral
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | | | - Ruth Martínez Cruz
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | | | - Noemi Meraz Cruz
- School of Medicine, Branch at National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Romero Díaz
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Eli Cruz-Parada
- Biochemistry and Immunology Unit, National Technological of Mexico/ITOaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Campos
- Biochemistry and Immunology Unit, National Technological of Mexico/ITOaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
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van der Zwan A, van Unen V, Beyrend G, Laban S, van der Keur C, Kapsenberg HJM, Höllt T, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, van der Hoorn MLP, Koning F, Claas FHJ, Eikmans M, Heidt S. Visualizing Dynamic Changes at the Maternal-Fetal Interface Throughout Human Pregnancy by Mass Cytometry. Front Immunol 2020; 11:571300. [PMID: 33193353 PMCID: PMC7649376 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.571300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During healthy pregnancy, a balanced microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface with coordinated interaction between various immune cells is necessary to maintain immunological tolerance. While specific decidual immune cell subsets have been investigated, a system-wide unbiased approach is lacking. Here, mass cytometry was applied for data-driven, in-depth immune profiling of the total leukocyte population isolated from first, second, and third trimester decidua, as well as maternal peripheral blood at time of delivery. The maternal-fetal interface showed a unique composition of immune cells, different from peripheral blood, with significant differences between early and term pregnancy samples. Profiling revealed substantial heterogeneity in the decidual lymphoid and myeloid cell lineages that shape gestational-specific immune networks and putative differentiation trajectories over time during gestation. Uncovering the overall complexity at the maternal-fetal interface throughout pregnancy resulted in a human atlas that may serve as a foundation upon which comprehension of the immune microenvironment and alterations thereof in pregnancy complications can be built.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita van der Zwan
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Vincent van Unen
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Guillaume Beyrend
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sandra Laban
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Carin van der Keur
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas Höllt
- Leiden Computational Biology Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Computer Graphics and Visualization Group, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Frits Koning
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Frans H. J. Claas
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Michael Eikmans
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Heidt
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Kieffer TEC, Laskewitz A, Vledder A, Scherjon SA, Faas MM, Prins JR. Decidual memory T-cell subsets and memory T-cell stimulatory cytokines in early- and late-onset preeclampsia. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 84:e13293. [PMID: 32572999 PMCID: PMC7540032 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Preeclampsia is a major cause of fetal and maternal mortality and morbidity. Disturbed fetal-maternal immune tolerance, and therewith memory T cells, might be involved in its etiology. This study aims to give insight into memory T-cell populations and its associated cytokines in the decidual layers in early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE) and late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE). METHOD OF STUDY Lymphocytes were isolated from the decidua parietalis and basalis from EO-PE (n = 6), LO-PE (n = 8) and healthy (n = 15) pregnancies. CD4+ and CD8+ central- (CCR7+ ), effector- (CCR7- ), tissue resident- (CD103+ ), and regulatory- (Foxp3+ ) memory cell (CD45RO+ ) populations and their activation status (CD69+ ) were analyzed using flow cytometry. qRT-PCR analysis was performed on decidua parietalis and basalis biopsies to detect mRNA expression of interferon-gamma, interleukin-1B, IL2, IL6, IL7, IL8, IL10, IL15, and IL23. RESULTS CD4+ central-memory (CM) cell proportions were lower in the decidua parietalis in LO-PE (P < .0001) and EO-PE (P < .01) compared to healthy pregnancies. CD8+ memory (P < .05) and CD8+ CM (P < .01) cell proportions were also lower in the decidua parietalis in EO-PE compared to healthy pregnancies. This was accompanied by higher IL15 (P < .05) and IL23 (P < .05) and lower IL7 (P < .05) mRNA expression in decidua basalis biopsies from EO-PE compared to healthy pregnancies, analyzed by qPCR. CONCLUSION In conclusion, decidual memory T-cell proportions, their activation status, and associated cytokines are altered in preeclampsia and might therefore be involved in fetal-maternal immune tolerance and the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom E. C. Kieffer
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Anne Laskewitz
- Division of Medical BiologyDepartment of Pathology and Medical BiologyUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Annegé Vledder
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Sicco A. Scherjon
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Marijke M. Faas
- Division of Medical BiologyDepartment of Pathology and Medical BiologyUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Jelmer R. Prins
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
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38
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Eikmans M, van der Zwan A, Claas FHJ, van der Hoorn ML, Heidt S. Got your mother in a whirl: The role of maternal T cells and myeloid cells in pregnancy. HLA 2020; 96:561-579. [PMID: 32841539 DOI: 10.1111/tan.14055] [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: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Appropriate development of the placenta is required for healthy pregnancy to occur. After implantation of the fertilized blastocyst, fetal trophoblasts invade the endometrium and myometrium of the mother's uterus to establish placentation. In this process, fetal trophoblasts encounter maternal immune cells. In this review, we focus on the role of maternal T cells and myeloid cells (macrophages, dendritic cells) in pregnancy and their interaction with trophoblasts. To retain immunologic tolerization, trophoblasts evade immune recognition by T cells and produce factors that modulate their phenotype and function. On top of that, the local environment at the maternal-fetal interface favors expansion of regulatory T cells. Macrophages and dendritic cells are essential in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. They produce soluble factors and act as antigen-presenting cells, thereby interacting with T cells. Herein, M2 macrophages, immature dendritic cells, CD4+ Th2 cells, and regulatory T cells represent an axis that maintains a local immune tolerant environment. We consider outstanding issues concerning these cell types and their pathways, which need to be addressed in future investigations. Data from recent single-cell sequencing experiments of the placental bed, to study heterogeneity of maternal immune cells and to predict cell-cell interactions, are discussed. Novel ways for long-term culturing of primary trophoblasts allow for cell-cell interaction studies in a functional way. Future directions should include study of the functionality of currently known and newly identified decidual immune cell subsets in healthy and complicated pregnancies, and their interaction with and modulation by trophoblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Eikmans
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anita van der Zwan
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frans H J Claas
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sebastiaan Heidt
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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39
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Wienke J, Brouwers L, van der Burg LM, Mokry M, Scholman RC, Nikkels PG, van Rijn BB, van Wijk F. Human Tregs at the materno-fetal interface show site-specific adaptation reminiscent of tumor Tregs. JCI Insight 2020; 5:137926. [PMID: 32809975 PMCID: PMC7526557 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.137926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tregs are crucial for maintaining maternal immunotolerance against the semiallogeneic fetus. We investigated the elusive transcriptional profile and functional adaptation of human uterine Tregs (uTregs) during pregnancy. Uterine biopsies, from placental bed (materno-fetal interface) and incision site (control) and blood were obtained from women with uncomplicated pregnancies undergoing cesarean section. Tregs and CD4+ non-Tregs were isolated for transcriptomic profiling by Cel-Seq2. Results were validated on protein and single cell levels by flow cytometry. Placental bed uTregs showed elevated expression of Treg signature markers, including FOXP3, CTLA-4, and TIGIT. Their transcriptional profile was indicative of late-stage effector Treg differentiation and chronic activation, with increased expression of immune checkpoints GITR, TNFR2, OX-40, and 4-1BB; genes associated with suppressive capacity (HAVCR2, IL10, LAYN, and PDCD1); and transcription factors MAF, PRDM1, BATF, and VDR. uTregs mirrored non-Treg Th1 polarization and tissue residency. The particular transcriptional signature of placental bed uTregs overlapped strongly with that of tumor-infiltrating Tregs and was remarkably pronounced at the placental bed compared with uterine control site. In conclusion, human uTregs acquire a differentiated effector Treg profile similar to tumor-infiltrating Tregs, specifically at the materno-fetal interface. This introduces the concept of site-specific transcriptional adaptation of Tregs within 1 organ. Human regulatory T cells at the maternal-fetal interface show uterine site-specific functional adaptation with late-stage effector differentiation, chronic activation, Th1 polarization, and tumor-infiltrating, Treg-like features.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michal Mokry
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht.,Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, and
| | | | - Peter Gj Nikkels
- Department of Pathology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Netherlands
| | - Bas B van Rijn
- Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Birth Center.,Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Stas MR, Koch M, Stadler M, Sawyer S, Sassu EL, Mair KH, Saalmüller A, Gerner W, Ladinig A. NK and T Cell Differentiation at the Maternal-Fetal Interface in Sows During Late Gestation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:582065. [PMID: 33013937 PMCID: PMC7516083 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.582065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenotype and function of immune cells that reside at the maternal-fetal interface in humans and mice have been, and still are, extensively studied with the aim to fully comprehend the complex immunology of pregnancy. In pigs, information regarding immune cell phenotypes is limited and mainly focused on early gestation whereas late gestation has not yet been investigated. We designed a unique methodology tailored to the porcine epitheliochorial placenta, which allowed us to address immune phenotypes separately in the maternal endometrium (ME) and fetal placenta (FP) by flow cytometry. In-depth phenotyping of NK cells, non-conventional and conventional T cells within maternal blood (mBld), ME, FP, and fetal spleen (fSpln) revealed major differences between these anatomic sites. In both maternal compartments, all NK cells were perforin+ and had NKp46-defined phenotypes indicative of late-stage differentiation. Likewise, T cells with a highly differentiated phenotype including CD2+CD8α+CD27dim/–perforin+ γδ T cells, CD27–perforin+ cytolytic T cells (CTLs), and T-bet+ CD4+CD8α+CD27– effector memory T (Tem) cells prevailed within these compartments. The presence of highly differentiated T cells was also reflected in the number of cells that had the capacity to produce IFN-γ. In the FP, we found NK cells and T cell populations with a naive phenotype including CD2+CD8α–CD27+perforin– γδ T cells, T-bet–CD4+CD8α–CD27+ T cells, and CD27+perforin– CTLs. However, also non-naive T cell phenotypes including CD2+CD8α+CD27+perforin– γδ T cells, T-bet+CD4+CD8α+CD27– Tem cells, and a substantial proportion of CD27–perforin+ CTLs resided within this anatomic site. Currently, the origin or the cues that steer the differentiation of these putative effector cells are unclear. In the fSpln, NKp46high NK cells and T cells with a naive phenotype prevailed. This study demonstrated that antigen-experienced immune cell phenotypes reside at the maternal-fetal interface, including the FP. Our methodology and our findings open avenues to study NK and T cell function over the course of gestation. In addition, this study lays a foundation to explore the interplay between immune cells and pathogens affecting swine reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Stas
- University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Koch
- University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Stadler
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Spencer Sawyer
- University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elena L Sassu
- University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerstin H Mair
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Armin Saalmüller
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wilhelm Gerner
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Optimized Prediction of Vaccination Success in Pigs, Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Ladinig
- University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Tsonis O, Karpathiou G, Tsonis K, Paschopoulos M, Papoudou-Bai A, Kanavaros P. Immune cells in normal pregnancy and gestational trophoblastic diseases. Placenta 2020; 101:90-96. [PMID: 32942146 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A healthy pregnancy requires the development of maternal-fetal immune tolerance against the semi-allogeneic fetus. The interactions between the trophoblastic cells and the maternal immune cells (p.e., natural killer cells, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and B-cells) are important for the development of the maternal-fetal immune tolerance and the placental growth and function. These interactions are mediated by cell to cell contact and secreted molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, angiogenic factors and growth factors. The maternal immune cells are present in normal non-pregnant and pregnant endometrium and there are several lines of evidence based on immunohistochemical and RNA sequencing data that the decidual immune cells and immune-related pathways display alterations in GTD, which may have pathogenetic and clinical significance. The present review focuses on the usefulness of the immunohistochemical analysis which provides multiparametric in situ information regarding the numbers, the immunophenotypes and the immunotopographical distributions of the decidual immune cells in tissue sections from normal pregnancy and GTD. We also discuss the significance of the immunohistochemical information in order to gain insight in the putative mechanisms explaining the alterations of the decidual immune cells in GTD and the potential implications of these alterations in the pathogenesis and the clinical behavior of GTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestis Tsonis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
| | | | - Klarisa Tsonis
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Minas Paschopoulos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Papoudou-Bai
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis Kanavaros
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
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Morita K, Tsuda S, Kobayashi E, Hamana H, Tsuda K, Shima T, Nakashima A, Ushijima A, Kishi H, Saito S. Analysis of TCR Repertoire and PD-1 Expression in Decidual and Peripheral CD8 + T Cells Reveals Distinct Immune Mechanisms in Miscarriage and Preeclampsia. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1082. [PMID: 32582176 PMCID: PMC7283903 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells, the most abundant T cell subset in the decidua, play a critical role in the maintenance of pregnancy. The majority of decidual CD8+ T cells have an effector memory phenotype, while those in the peripheral blood display a naive phenotype. An increased amount of highly differentiated CD8+ T cells in the decidua indicates local antigen stimulation and expansion, albeit these CD8+ T cells are suppressed. In decidual CD8+ T cells, co-inhibitory molecules such as PD-1, TIM-3, LAG-3, and CTLA-4 are upregulated, reflecting the suppression of cytotoxicity. Previous studies established the importance of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction for feto-maternal tolerance. CD8+ T cells could directly recognize fetal-specific antigens, such as HLA-C, expressed by trophoblasts. However, although fetal-specific CD8+ T cells have been reported, their TCR repertoires have not been identified. In this study, we analyzed the TCR repertoires of effector memory CD8+ T cells (CD8+ EM cells) and naive CD8+ T cells (CD8+ N cells) in the decidua and peripheral blood of women with normal or complicated pregnancy and examined PD-1 expression at a single-cell level to verify whether antigen-specific CD8+ T cells accumulate in the decidua and to identify immunological differences related to the suppression of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells between normal pregnancy, miscarriage, and preeclampsia. We observed that some TCRβ repertoires, which might recognize fetal or placental antigens, were clonally expanded. The population size of clonally expanded CD8+ EM cells was higher in the decidua than in the peripheral blood. CD8+ EM cells began to express PD-1 during the course of normal pregnancy. We found that the total proportion of decidual CD8+ EM cells not expressing PD-1 was increased both in miscarriage and in preeclampsia cases, although a different mechanism was responsible for this increase. The amount of cytotoxic CD8+ EM cells increased in cases of miscarriage, whereas the expression of PD-1 in clonally expanded CD8+ EM cells was downregulated in preeclampsia cases. These results demonstrated that decidual CD8+ EM cells were able to recognize fetal-specific antigens at the feto-maternal interface and could easily induce fetal rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Morita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Sayaka Tsuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Eiji Kobayashi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hamana
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kei Tsuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tomoko Shima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Akitoshi Nakashima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Akemi Ushijima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kishi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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Orlovic Vlaho M, Tomic V, Vukojevic K, Vasilj A, Pejic R, Lesko J, Soljic V. CD25 + FOXP3 + and CD4 + CD25 + cells distribution in decidual departments of women with severe and mild pre-eclampsia: Comparison with healthy pregnancies. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 84:e13281. [PMID: 32485016 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the distribution of regulatory CD25+ FOXP3+ and activated CD4+ CD25+ T cells in decidua basalis and parietalis of severe and mild pre-eclampsia (PE) to normal healthy pregnancies. METHOD OF STUDY Decidual tissue (decidua basalis and parietalis) of 13 women with mild PE, 15 women with severe PE, and 19 women with healthy term pregnancies were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence. RESULTS The total number of CD25+ FOXP3+ cells/mm2 in decidua basalis was decreased in the severe and mild PE versus normal pregnancy group. The total number of CD4+ CD25+ cells/mm2 in decidua basalis was decreased in the severe PE versus normal pregnancy group. The number of CD25+ FOXP3+ and CD4+ CD25+ cells in decidua parietalis was decreased in both PE groups. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that immunological changes of PE reflect on decidua basalis and parietalis and emphasize the importance of characterizing T cells in both decidual departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Orlovic Vlaho
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Vajdana Tomic
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.,Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Katarina Vukojevic
- Laboratory of Morphology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.,Laboratory for Early Human Development, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Anja Vasilj
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Renato Pejic
- University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Josip Lesko
- University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Violeta Soljic
- Laboratory of Morphology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Liu L, Huang X, Xu C, Chen C, Zhao W, Li D, Li L, Wang L, Du M. Decidual CD8 +T cells exhibit both residency and tolerance signatures modulated by decidual stromal cells. J Transl Med 2020; 18:221. [PMID: 32487187 PMCID: PMC7268777 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02371-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During early pregnancy, tolerance of the semi-allogeneic fetus necessitates comprehensive modifications of the maternal immune system. How decidual CD8+T (CD8+dT) cells balance maternal tolerance of the fetus with defense from invading pathogens remains undefined. METHODS We investigated the distribution patterns of CD8+T cells and their heterogeneity in paired peripheral blood and decidual tissue in the first trimester of pregnancy using flow cytometry and mRNA-Seq. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was utilized to determine the transcriptional features of CD8+dT cells. Moreover, we examined activation of T cells when they were cocultured with trophoblasts, in addition to the effect of the fetal-maternal environment on peripheral CD8+T (CD8+pT) cells. RESULTS We found that, compared with CD8+pT cells, CD8+dT cells consisted mainly of effector memory cells (TEM) and terminally differentiated effector memory cells (TEMRA). Both TEM and TEMRA subsets contained increased numbers of CD27+CD28- cells, which have been shown to possess only partial effector functions. In-depth analysis of the gene-expression profiles of CD8+dT cells revealed significant enrichment in T cell exhaustion-related genes and core tissue residency signature genes that have been found recently to be shared by tissue resident memory cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). In accordance with gene expression, protein levels of the exhaustion-related molecules PD-1 and CD39 and the tissue resident molecules CD103 and CXCR3 were increased significantly with almost no perforin secretion in CD8+dT cells compared with CD8+pT cells. However, the levels of granzyme B, IFN-γ, and IL-4 in CD8+dT cells were increased significantly compared with those in CD8+pT cells. Both CD8+dT and CD8+pT cells were not activated after being cocultured with autologous trophoblast cells. Moreover, the production of granzyme B in CD103+CD8+dT cells decreased significantly compared with that in their CD103- counterparts. Coculture with decidual stromal cells and trophoblasts upregulated CD103 expression significantly in CD8+pT cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the selective silencing of effector functions of resident CD8+dT cells may favor maternal-fetal tolerance and that the decidual microenvironment plays an important role in promoting the residency of CD8+T cells and their tolerance-defense balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xixi Huang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunfang Xu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunqin Chen
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijie Zhao
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Dajin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li Wang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Meirong Du
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Maternal and fetal T cells in term pregnancy and preterm labor. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17:693-704. [PMID: 32467619 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0471-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a state of immunological balance during which the mother and the developing fetus must tolerate each other while maintaining sufficient immunocompetence to ward off potential threats. The site of closest contact between the mother and fetus is the decidua, which represents the maternal-fetal interface. Many of the immune cell subsets present at the maternal-fetal interface have been well described; however, the importance of the maternal T cells in this compartment during late gestation and its complications, such as preterm labor and birth, has only recently been established. Moreover, pioneer and recent studies have indicated that fetal T cells are activated in different subsets of preterm labor and may elicit distinct inflammatory responses in the amniotic cavity, leading to preterm birth. In this review, we describe the established and proposed roles for maternal T cells at the maternal-fetal interface in normal term parturition, as well as the demonstrated contributions of such cells to the pathological process of preterm labor and birth. We also summarize the current knowledge of and proposed roles for fetal T cells in the pathophysiology of the preterm labor syndrome. It is our hope that this review provides a solid conceptual framework highlighting the importance of maternal and fetal T cells in late gestation and catalyzes new research questions that can further scientific understanding of these cells and their role in preterm labor and birth, the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide.
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46
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Huang X, Liu L, Xu C, Peng X, Li D, Wang L, Du M. Tissue-resident CD8 + T memory cells with unique properties are present in human decidua during early pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 84:e13254. [PMID: 32329123 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Resident memory T (TRM ) cells reside in the uterus during pregnancy may play an important role in balancing maternal-fetal tolerance with anti-infectious immunity. Although CD8+ TRM and decidual CD8+ T cells have been extensively characterized, the properties of decidual CD8+ TRM (dTRM ) cells remain poorly defined. METHOD OF STUDY We investigated the heterogeneity, phenotypes, and functions of dTRM cells, and compared the proportion of dTRM cells between normal pregnancy and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) using flow cytometry. Moreover, we cocultured peripheral CD8+ T (CD8+ pT) cells with trophoblast, or decidual stomal cells (DSCs) in the presence or absence of anti-TGF-β antibody or TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor to explore the effects of maternal-fetal environment on decidual CD8+ TRM cell formation. RESULTS We found that CD69+ CD103+ TRM cells were abundant in CD8+ dT cells but not in CD4+ dT cells with effector-memory (EM, CD45RA- CCR7- ) phenotypes. The percentage of dTRM cells from RSA patients was significantly higher than that from normal pregnancy. Furthermore, dTRM cells showed increased expressions of chemokine receptors, T-cell exhaustion-related molecules, and produced more anti-inflammatory cytokines and effector cytokines upon stimulation. Moreover, DSCs produced a considerable level of TGF-β and upregulated CD103 expression on CD69+ CD8+ pT cells, which can be significantly reversed by blocking TGF-β receptor. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that TRM cells with unique properties are present in the decidua during human early pregnancy. They possess an enhanced capacity to produce effector cytokines and regulatory molecules, which might be important in the balance between maternal-fetal immune tolerance and the capacity to aggressively respond to infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xixi Huang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunfang Xu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiandong Peng
- Shanghai Jiai Genetics & IVF Institute, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Dajin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Wang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Meirong Du
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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47
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Levenson D, Romero R, Garcia-Flores V, Miller D, Xu Y, Sahi A, Hassan SS, Gomez-Lopez N. The effects of advanced maternal age on T-cell subsets at the maternal-fetal interface prior to term labor and in the offspring: a mouse study. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 201:58-75. [PMID: 32279324 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13437] [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: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Women who conceive at 35 years of age or older, commonly known as advanced maternal age, have a higher risk of facing parturition complications and their children have an increased risk of developing diseases later in life. However, the immunological mechanisms underlying these pathological processes have yet to be established. To fill this gap in knowledge, using a murine model and immunophenotyping, we determined the effect of advanced maternal age on the main cellular branch of adaptive immunity, T cells, at the maternal-fetal interface and in the offspring. We report that advanced maternal age impaired the process of labor at term, inducing dystocia and delaying the timing of delivery. Advanced maternal age diminished the number of specific proinflammatory T-cell subsets [T helper type 1 (Th1): CD4+ IFN-γ+ , CD8+ IFN-γ+ and Th9: CD4+ IL-9+ ], as well as CD4+ regulatory T cells (CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ T cells), at the maternal-fetal interface prior to term labor. Advanced maternal age also altered fetal growth and survival of the offspring in early life. In addition, infants born to advanced-age mothers had alterations in the T-cell repertoire but not in CD71+ erythroid cells (CD3- CD71+ TER119+ cells). This study provides insight into the immune alterations observed at the maternal-fetal interface of advanced-age mothers and their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Levenson
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - R Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - V Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - D Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Y Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - A Sahi
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - S S Hassan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Office of Women's Health, Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - N Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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48
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Fuhler GM. The immune system and microbiome in pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2020; 44-45:101671. [PMID: 32359685 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2020.101671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal changes during pregnancy instigate numerous physiological changes aimed at the growth and delivery of a healthy baby. A careful balance between immunological tolerance against fetal antigens and immunity against infectious agents needs to be maintained. A three-way interaction between pregnancy hormones, the immune system and our microbiota is now emerging. Recent evidence suggests that microbial alterations seen during pregnancy may help maintain homeostasis and aid the required physiological changes occurring in pregnancy. However, these same immunological and microbial alterations may also make women more vulnerable during pregnancy and the post-partum period, especially regarding immunological and infectious diseases. Thus, a further understanding of the host-microbial interactions taking place during pregnancy may improve identification of populations at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Fuhler
- Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Gravendijkwal 230, 3015CE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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49
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Gomez-Lopez N, Romero R, Hassan SS, Bhatti G, Berry SM, Kusanovic JP, Pacora P, Tarca AL. The Cellular Transcriptome in the Maternal Circulation During Normal Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Study. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2863. [PMID: 31921132 PMCID: PMC6928201 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy represents a unique immunological state in which the mother adapts to tolerate the semi-allogenic conceptus; yet, the cellular dynamics in the maternal circulation are poorly understood. Using exon-level expression profiling of up to six longitudinal whole blood samples from 49 pregnant women, we undertook a systems biology analysis of the cellular transcriptome dynamics and its correlation with the plasma proteome. We found that: (1) chromosome 14 was the most enriched in transcripts differentially expressed throughout normal pregnancy; (2) the strongest expression changes followed three distinct longitudinal patterns, with genes related to host immune response (e.g., MMP8, DEFA1B, DEFA4, and LTF) showing a steady increase in expression from 10 to 40 weeks of gestation; (3) multiple biological processes and pathways related to immunity and inflammation were modulated during gestation; (4) genes changing with gestation were among those specific to T cells, B cells, CD71+ erythroid cells, natural killer cells, and endothelial cells, as defined based on the GNF Gene Expression Atlas; (5) the average expression of mRNA signatures of T cells, B cells, and erythroid cells followed unique patterns during gestation; (6) the correlation between mRNA and protein abundance was higher for mRNAs that were differentially expressed throughout gestation than for those that were not, and significant mRNA-protein correlations were observed for genes part of the T-cell signature. In summary, unique changes in immune-related genes were discovered by longitudinally assessing the cellular transcriptome in the maternal circulation throughout normal pregnancy, and positive correlations were noted between the cellular transcriptome and plasma proteome for specific genes/proteins. These findings provide insights into the immunobiology of normal pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sonia S. Hassan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Stanley M. Berry
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Juan Pedro Kusanovic
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI, United States
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Research and Innovation in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (CIMAF), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sótero del Río Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Percy Pacora
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Adi L. Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, MI, United States
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50
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Monin L, Whettlock EM, Male V. Immune responses in the human female reproductive tract. Immunology 2019; 160:106-115. [PMID: 31630394 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucosal surfaces are key interfaces between the host and its environment, but also constitute ports of entry for numerous pathogens. The gut and lung mucosae act as points of nutrient and gas exchange, respectively, but the physiological purpose of the female reproductive tract (FRT) is to allow implantation and development of the fetus. Our understanding of immune responses in the FRT has traditionally lagged behind our grasp of the situation at other mucosal sites, but recently reproductive immunologists have begun to make rapid progress in this challenging area. Here, we review current knowledge of immune responses in the human FRT and their heterogeneity within and between compartments. In the commensal-rich vagina, the immune system must allow the growth of beneficial microbes, whereas the key challenge in the uterus is allowing the growth of the semi-allogeneic fetus. In both compartments, these objectives must be balanced with the need to eliminate pathogens. Our developing understanding of immune responses in the FRT will help us develop interventions to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and to improve outcomes of pregnancy for mothers and babies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Monin
- Immunosurveillance Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Emily M Whettlock
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Victoria Male
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
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