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Sarkesh A, Sorkhabi AD, Parhizkar F, Soltani-Zangbar MS, Yousefi M, Aghebati-Maleki L. The immunomodulatory effect of intradermal allogeneic PBMC therapy in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 156:103818. [PMID: 36746007 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been limited study on the impact of PBMC therapy in RSA patients with immunological disorders such as Th17 and Treg cell dysregulation, as well as their associated factors. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of PBMC therapy in modulating immune cell frequency, cytokine production, transcription factors, and miRNAs implicated in the regulation of their function, as well as their potential superiority to routine treatments. METHODS Fifty RSA women who had received PBMCs and 50 matched-paired control RSA women who had received the routine treatments were recruited and followed for three months. The frequencies of Th17, Treg, NK, and B cells were assessed using flow cytometry. Thereafter, the gene expression level of the transcription factors and related miRNAs of Treg cell and Th17 cell was quantified using RT-PCR. Then ELISA was employed to assess the cytokine production of Th17 and Treg cells. Finally, the live birth rate and miscarriage rate were evaluated as clinical outcomes in this study. RESULTS Flow cytometry analysis revealed that PBMC therapy significantly reduces the frequencies of Th17 and NK cells while enhancing the frequency of Treg cells. RT-PCR analysis confirmed that PBMC therapy significantly downregulates RORγt and upregulates FoxP3. Likewise, RT-PCR analysis showed that PBMC therapy reduces the expression of miR-25, miR-155, and miR-326 while increasing the expression of miR-10a. ELISA results demonstrated that PBMC therapy considerably decreases the concentration of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α and enhances the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. Following PBMC therapy live birth rate raised while miscarriage rate reduced. CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that, in contrast to routine treatments, PBMC therapy can significantly modulate the maternal immune system by enhancing the Treg/Th17 paradigm and regulating the expression of Treg and Th17 cell-associated cytokines, transcription factors, and miRNAs. This treatment also can increase the live birth rate in RSA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aila Sarkesh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amin Daei Sorkhabi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Forough Parhizkar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Leili Aghebati-Maleki
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Yang D, Dai F, Yuan M, Zheng Y, Liu S, Deng Z, Tan W, Chen L, Zhang Q, Zhao X, Cheng Y. Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Regulating Fetal-Maternal Immune Tolerance in Normal and Pathological Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:689181. [PMID: 34531852 PMCID: PMC8438197 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.689181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is composed of three isoforms, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. TGF-β1 is a cytokine with multiple biological functions that has been studied extensively. It plays an important role in regulating the differentiation of immune cells and maintaining immune cell functions and immune homeostasis. Pregnancy is a carefully regulated process. Controlled invasion of trophoblasts, precise coordination of immune cells and cytokines, and crosstalk between trophoblasts and immune cells play vital roles in the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy. In this systematic review, we summarize the role of TGF-β1 in regulating fetal-maternal immune tolerance in healthy and pathological pregnancies. During healthy pregnancy, TGF-β1 induces the production of regulatory T cells (Tregs), maintains the immunosuppressive function of Tregs, mediates the balance of M1/M2 macrophages, and regulates the function of NK cells, thus participating in maintaining fetal-maternal immune tolerance. In addition, some studies have shown that TGF-β1 is dysregulated in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion or preeclampsia. TGF-β1 may play a role in the occurrence and development of these diseases and may be a potential target for the treatment of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyong Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangfang Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengqin Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yajing Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiyi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhimin Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianjie Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaomiao Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanxiang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Artem'eva KA, Boltovskaya MN, Bogdanova IM, Obernikhin SS, Stepanova II, Stepanov AA, Svitich OA, Kalyuzhin OV. Proliferative Activity of Mouse Splenocytes in Physiological Pregnancy and in Models of Spontaneous and Muramylpeptide-Dependent Abortions. Bull Exp Biol Med 2020; 168:757-760. [PMID: 32328935 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-020-04796-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Spontaneous proliferative activity of splenocytes in female CBA mice and the response of these cells to antigens of allogeneic male BALB/c and DBA/2 mice in a mixed splenocyte culture were evaluated by 3H-thymidine incorporation in different pregnancy models. ♀CBA×♂BALB/c mating was used for modeling physiological pregnancy. Spontaneous abortions were reproduced by abortion-prone ♀CBA×♂DBA/2 mating. In order to simulate immunostimulant-induced and immunostimulant-potentiated abortions, 0.83 mg/kg muramyl dipeptide β-heptylglycoside was intraperitoneally injected to CBA females mated with BALB/c or DBA/2 males, respectively, on gestation days 5 and 7. The increase in the rate of embryo resorption in the models of spontaneous, induced, and potentiated abortions occurred against the background of an increase in the level of spontaneous proliferation of splenocytes and a decrease in their reactivity to paternal antigens on gestation day 9.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Artem'eva
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - I M Bogdanova
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - I I Stepanova
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russia
| | - A A Stepanov
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russia
| | - O A Svitich
- I. I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Kalyuzhin
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia.
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Muñoz-Fernández R, De La Mata C, Requena F, Martín F, Fernandez-Rubio P, Llorca T, Ruiz-Magaña MJ, Ruiz-Ruiz C, Olivares EG. Human predecidual stromal cells are mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and have a therapeutic effect in an immune-based mouse model of recurrent spontaneous abortion. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:177. [PMID: 31200769 PMCID: PMC6567662 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1284-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human decidual stromal cells (DSCs) are involved in the maintenance and development of pregnancy, in which they play a key role in the induction of immunological maternal–fetal tolerance. Precursors of DSCs (preDSCs) are located around the vessels, and based on their antigen phenotype, previous studies suggested a relationship between preDSCs and mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). This work aimed to further elucidate the MSC characteristics of preDSCs. Methods We established 15 human preDSC lines and 3 preDSC clones. Physiological differentiation (decidualization) of these cell lines and clones was carried out by in vitro culture with progesterone (P4) and cAMP. Decidualization was confirmed by the change in cellular morphology and prolactin (PRL) secretion, which was determined by enzyme immunoassay of the culture supernatants. We also studied MSC characteristics: (1) In mesenchymal differentiation, under appropriate culture conditions, these preDSC lines and clones differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes, and differentiation was confirmed by cytochemical assays and RT-PCR. (2) The expression of stem cell markers was determined by RT-PCR. (3) Cloning efficiency was evaluated by limited dilution. (4) Immunoregulatory activity in vivo was estimated in DBA/2-mated CBA/J female mice, a murine model of immune-based recurrent abortion. (5) Survival of preDSC in immunocompetent mice was analyzed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Results Under the effect of P4 and cAMP, the preDSC lines and clones decidualized in vitro: the cells became rounder and secreted PRL, a marker of physiological decidualization. PreDSC lines and clones also exhibited MSC characteristics. They differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes, and preDSC lines expressed stem cell markers OCT-4, NANOG, and ABCG2; exhibited a cloning efficiency of 4 to 15%; significantly reduced the embryo resorption rate (P < 0.001) in the mouse model of abortion; and survived for prolonged periods in immunocompetent mice. The fact that 3 preDSC clones underwent both decidualization and mesenchymal differentiation shows that the same type of cell exhibited both DSC and MSC characteristics. Conclusions Together, our results confirm that preDSCs are decidual MSCs and suggest that these cells are involved in the mechanisms of maternal–fetal immune tolerance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-019-1284-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Muñoz-Fernández
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Claudia De La Mata
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Requena
- Departamento de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Martín
- Human DNA Variability Department, GENYO - Centre for Genomic and Oncological Research (Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government), PTS Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Pablo Fernandez-Rubio
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Tatiana Llorca
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Maria José Ruiz-Magaña
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Carmen Ruiz-Ruiz
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Avenida de la Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Enrique G Olivares
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. .,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Avenida de la Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain. .,Unidad de Gestión Clínica Laboratorios, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, Spain.
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Hajipour H, Nejabati HR, Latifi Z, Hamdi K, Bahrami-asl Z, Fattahi A, Nouri M. Lymphocytes immunotherapy for preserving pregnancy: Mechanisms and Challenges. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 80:e12853. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Hajipour
- Department of Reproductive Biology; Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Nejabati
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories; Faculty of Medicine; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Zeinab Latifi
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories; Faculty of Medicine; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Kobra Hamdi
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Zahra Bahrami-asl
- Department of Reproductive Biology; Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Amir Fattahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories; Faculty of Medicine; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
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6
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Co-Signaling Molecules in Maternal-Fetal Immunity. Trends Mol Med 2016; 23:46-58. [PMID: 27914866 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Physiologically, a successful pregnancy requires the maternal immune system to recognize and tolerate the semiallogeneic fetus, and allow for normal invasion of trophoblasts. Thus, pregnancy complications are considered to be associated with dysfunctional maternal-fetal crosstalk. Co-signaling molecules are a group of cell surface molecules that positively or negatively modulate the immune response. Well studied in the fields of oncology and transplantation, they are also suggested to be involved in maternal-fetal crosstalk. Here, we review the latest knowledge on the expression and function of such co-signaling molecules, highlighting their immunoregulatory roles in maternal-fetal tolerance and decidual vascular remodeling, and their involvement in pathological pregnancies. This review may instruct future basic research on, and clinical applications for, maternal-fetal immunity.
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7
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Wu L, Luo LH, Zhang YX, Li Q, Xu B, Zhou GX, Luan HB, Liu YS. Alteration of Th17 and Treg cells in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion before and after lymphocyte immunization therapy. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014; 12:74. [PMID: 25086467 PMCID: PMC4237930 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several types of T cells have been associated with the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA), including Th1/Th2/Th17/Tregs cell. It has been appreciated that immunotherapy with paternal or third party lymphocytes is an effective method of treatment for URSA patients. The balance of Th1/Th2 cells could be maintained and an increase of Treg cells would be beneficial after immunotherapy; however, the mechanism by which the Th17/Treg balance affects URSA has not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS Here, we used flow cytometry, liquid chip technology and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) methods to characterize Th17/Treg cell populations after immunotherapy. We found that after immunotherapy in URSA patients, the percentage of Th17 cells decreased and the percentage of Treg cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) increased, as detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS Immunotherapy may induce a decrease in the Th17/Treg ratio and the Treg bias, which may be beneficial for the maintenance of pregnancy. The expression level of ROR gamma t, a transcription factor found in Th17 cells, decreased and the expression of the Treg-specific transcription factor Foxp3 increased in peripheral blood as detected by qPCR. Immunotherapy may induce a decrease in the ratio of ROR gamma t to Foxp3 and a Treg cell bias, which would be beneficial for pregnancy maintenance. The secretion of the Treg-associated cytokine TGF-beta, as well as Th2 cytokines, was increased in serum, while the secretion of Th17-associated cytokine IL-17A and Th1 cytokine production was decreased. The Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio significantly decreased. Similarly, the Th17/Treg ratio significantly decreased in the total patient after immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that in patients with URSA, immunotherapy with mononuclear cells derived from the baby's father could affect both Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance, and we found that the Th2 and Treg bias would be beneficial for pregnancy, which may lead to a balancing of the Th17/Treg ratio in URSA patients after immunotherapy.
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MESH Headings
- Abortion, Habitual/blood
- Abortion, Habitual/immunology
- Abortion, Habitual/metabolism
- Abortion, Habitual/therapy
- Adult
- China
- Cytokines/blood
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Female
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/blood
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Hospitals, Teaching
- Humans
- Immunotherapy
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/transplantation
- Lymphocyte Transfusion
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/blood
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/metabolism
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Maintenance
- Pregnancy Outcome
- Prospective Studies
- Spouses
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Th1-Th2 Balance
- Th17 Cells/immunology
- Th17 Cells/metabolism
- Transplantation, Homologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Li-Hua Luo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ying-Xin Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qing Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bo Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Gui-Xiang Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hong-Bing Luan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yu-Sheng Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Bonney EA, Brown SA. To drive or be driven: the path of a mouse model of recurrent pregnancy loss. Reproduction 2014; 147:R153-67. [PMID: 24472815 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This review is an example of the use of an animal model to try to understand the immune biology of pregnancy. A well-known model of recurrent spontaneous pregnancy loss is put in clinical, historical, and theoretical context, with emphasis on T cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05404, USA
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9
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Schumacher A, Zenclussen AC. Regulatory T cells: regulators of life. Am J Reprod Immunol 2014; 72:158-70. [PMID: 24661545 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy still represents one of the most fascinating paradoxical phenomena in science. Immediately after conception, the maternal immune system is challenged by the presence of foreign paternal antigens in the semen. This triggers mechanisms of recognition and tolerance that all together allow the embryo to implant and later the fetus to develop. Tolerance mechanisms to maintain pregnancy are of special interest as they defy the classical immunology rules. Several cell types, soluble factors, and immune regulatory molecules have been proposed to contribute to fetal tolerance. Within these, regulatory T cells (Treg) are one of the most studied immune cell populations lately. They are reportedly involved in fetal acceptance. Here, we summarize several aspects of Treg biology in normal and pathologic pregnancies focusing on Treg frequencies, subtypes, antigen specificity, and activity as well as on factors influencing Treg generation, recruitment, and function. This review also highlights the contribution of fetal Treg in tolerance induction and addresses the role of Treg in autoimmune diseases and infections during gestation. Finally, the potential of Treg as a predictive marker for the success of assisted reproductive techniques and for therapeutic interventions is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Schumacher
- Department of Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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Abumaree MH, Chamley LW, Badri M, El-Muzaini MF. Trophoblast debris modulates the expression of immune proteins in macrophages: a key to maternal tolerance of the fetal allograft? J Reprod Immunol 2012; 94:131-41. [PMID: 22542910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2012.03.488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2011] [Revised: 03/19/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between maternal immune cells and the placenta are of substantial interest since diseases of pregnancy, such as recurrent miscarriage, villitis of unknown etiology and preeclampsia may arise due to inadequate adaptation of the maternal immune system. During normal pregnancy trophoblast debris is shed from the placenta into the maternal blood in large quantities. This trophoblast debris is then rapidly cleared from the maternal circulation. In this study, we exposed trophoblast debris generated from an in vitro placental explant model to peripheral blood-derived macrophages and quantified a variety of molecules that are important in immune responses by ELISA or flow cytometry. Phagocytosis of trophoblast debris resulted in reduced cell-surface expression of MHC-II molecules, the costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, CD40 and B7H3), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and IL-8 receptors in macrophages while the expression of programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) was upregulated. In addition, phagocytosis of trophoblast debris induced the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, IL6 and IL1Ra and decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL12p70 and IL-8 by macrophages. Phagocytosis of trophoblast debris also increased macrophage expression of the immunosuppressive enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). We have shown that phagocytosis of trophoblast debris from normal placentae alters the phenotype of macrophages such that they are likely to deviate maternal immune responses towards tolerance and away from inflammation. This may be one of the mechanisms that allow the human fetal allograft to survive in direct contact with the maternal immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Abumaree
- King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, P.O. Box 22490, Riyadh 11426, Mail Code 1515, Saudi Arabia.
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11
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Jaiswal MK, Mallers TM, Kwong C, Chaouat G, Gilman-Sachs A, Beaman KD. Abortion-prone mating influences alteration of systemic a2 vacuolar ATPase expression in spleen and blood immune cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 67:421-33. [PMID: 22221850 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01098.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM a2 isoform of vacuolar ATPase (Atp6v0a2) is important for maintaining the delicate immunological balance required for successful pregnancy. The objective of this investigation is to study the dynamic changes in spleen and blood that appear during spontaneous abortion in mice. METHOD OF STUDY Atp6v0a2 was measured in multiple immune cell populations from spleen and blood recovered from non-abortion-prone and abortion-prone mating combinations. RESULTS Atp6v0a2 expression was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) in the spleen recovered from abortion-prone ♀CBA × ♂DBA mating on days 12 and 16 of pregnancy when compared to non-abortion-prone ♀BALB/c × ♂BALB/c and ♀CBA × ♂BALB/c matings. Flow cytometric studies showed that significantly decreased expression of Atp6v0a2 in splenic CD4(+), CD8(+), CD19(+), and CD14(+) cells directly correlated with the high percentages of fetal resorption observed in abortion-prone mating on days 12 and 16 of pregnancy. In blood, CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD19(+) cells had a significantly reduced expression of Atp6v0a2 in abortion-prone mating compared to the non-abortion-prone mating combinations only on day 12. CONCLUSION This deceased expression of Atp6v0a2 in the various immune cell populations of the spleen and blood suggests that the maternal environment is not supportive to fetus and leads to poor pregnancy outcome in the abortion-prone mating model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh K Jaiswal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
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12
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Jin LP, Fan DX, Li DJ. Regulation of costimulatory signal in maternal-fetal immune tolerance. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66:76-83. [PMID: 21276120 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00982.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A pregnancy is associated with modifications in the immune status of the mother, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Several observations have indicated that CD28/CTLA-4 and B7-1/B7-2 are involved in the maternal-fetal immune regulation. This review aims to recapitulate our current knowledge concerning the role of CD28/CTLA-4 and B7-1/B7-2 in maternal-fetal immune regulation. Several studies suggest that up-regulation of B7-2 and/or CD28 and/or down-regulation of CTLA-4 are correlated with the occurrence of pregnancy loss. Therefore, an accurate expression of costimulatory molecules at the maternal-fetal interface may ensure that the decidual cells do not elicit a 'danger' signal to the maternal immune system, perhaps instead contributing to the establishment of immune tolerance in vivo. It is showed that costimulation blockade with anti-B7 mAbs results in altered allogeneic T-cell response and overcomes increased maternal rejection to the fetus, which improves fetus growth in the abortion-prone system. These findings suggest that the anti-B7-treated T cells not only function as potent suppresser cells but also exert immunoregulatory effect on the maternal T cells. This procedure might be potentially useful to immunotherapy for human recurrent spontaneous abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
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Petroff MG, Perchellet A. B7 family molecules as regulators of the maternal immune system in pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63:506-19. [PMID: 20384620 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00841.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental and fetal growth and development are associated with chronic exposure of the maternal immune system to fetally derived, paternally inherited antigens. Because maternal lymphocytes are aware of fetal antigens, active tolerance mechanisms are required to ensure unperturbed progression of pregnancy and delivery of a healthy newborn. These mechanisms of tolerance may include deletion, receptor downregulation, and anergy of fetal antigen-specific cells in lymphoid tissues, as well as regulation at the maternal-fetal interface by a variety of locally expressed immunoregulatory molecules. The B7 family of costimulatory molecules comprises one group of immunoregulatory molecules present in the decidua and placenta. B7 family members mediate both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on T-cell activation and effector functions and may play a critical role in maintaining tolerance to the fetus. Here, we review the known functions of the B7 family proteins in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret G Petroff
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
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Leber A, Teles A, Zenclussen AC. Regulatory T Cells and Their Role in Pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63:445-59. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00821.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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The CD4+CD25bright regulatory T cells and CTLA-4 expression in peripheral and decidual lymphocytes are down-regulated in human miscarriage. Clin Immunol 2009; 133:402-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2009.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2009] [Revised: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Peters JH, Hilbrands LB, Koenen HJPM, Joosten I. Ex vivo generation of human alloantigen-specific regulatory T cells from CD4(pos)CD25(high) T cells for immunotherapy. PLoS One 2008; 3:e2233. [PMID: 18493605 PMCID: PMC2376059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2008] [Accepted: 04/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regulatory T cell (Treg) based immunotherapy is a potential treatment for several immune disorders. By now, this approach proved successful in preclinical animal transplantation and auto-immunity models. In these models the success of Treg based immunotherapy crucially depends on the antigen-specificity of the infused Treg population. For the human setting, information is lacking on how to generate Treg with direct antigen-specificity ex vivo to be used for immunotherapy. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we demonstrate that in as little as two stimulation cycles with HLA mismatched allogeneic stimulator cells and T cell growth factors a very high degree of alloantigen-specificity was reached in magnetic bead isolated human CD4posCD25high Treg. Efficient increases in cell numbers were obtained. Primary allogeneic stimulation appeared a prerequisite in the generation of alloantigen-specific Treg, while secondary allogeneic or polyclonal stimulation with anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies enriched alloantigen-specificity and cell yield to a similar extent. Conclusions/Significance The ex vivo expansion protocol that we describe will very likely increase the success of clinical Treg-based immunotherapy, and will help to induce tolerance to selected antigens, while minimizing general immune suppression. This approach is of particular interest for recipients of HLA mismatched transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorieke H. Peters
- Department of Bloodtransfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Luuk B. Hilbrands
- Department of Nephrology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans J. P. M. Koenen
- Department of Bloodtransfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Irma Joosten
- Department of Bloodtransfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Zhou WH, Dong L, Du MR, Zhu XY, Li DJ. Cyclosporin A improves murine pregnancy outcome in abortion-prone matings: involvement of CD80/86 and CD28/CTLA-4. Reproduction 2008; 135:385-95. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-07-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Immune regulation during pregnancy is complex, and thus an optimal therapy for pregnancy complications is always a big challenge to reproductive medicine. Cyclosporin A (CsA), a potent immunosuppressant, prevents rejection of allografts by hosts, but little is known about the modulating effect of CsA on the materno-fetal relationship. Here, pregnant CBA/J females mated with DBA/2 males as an abortion-prone model were administered with CsA on day 4.5 of gestation, and the pregnant CBA/J females mated with BALB/c males were established as successful pregnancy control. It was demonstrated that administration of CsA at the window of implantation significantly up-regulated the expression of CTLA-4, while down-regulating the levels of CD80, CD86, and CD28 at the materno-fetal interface in the CBA/J×DBA/2 abortion-prone matings, and the embryo resorption rate of the abortion-prone matings reduced significantly after CsA treatment, implying that modulation of costimulatory molecule expression by CsA might contribute to preventing the fetus from maternal immune attack. In addition, treatment with CsA induced enhanced growth and reduced cell apoptosis of the murine trophoblast cells. Together, these findings indicate that CsA has a beneficial effect on the materno-fetal interface in abortion-prone matings, leading to a pregnancy outcome improvement, which might provide new therapeutics for spontaneous pregnancy wastage.
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Jin LP, Zhou YH, Zhu XY, Wang MY, Li DJ. Adoptive Transfer of Paternal Antigen-Hyporesponsive T Cells Facilitates a Th2 Bias in Peripheral Lymphocytes and at Materno-Fetal Interface in Murine Abortion-prone Matings. Am J Reprod Immunol 2006; 56:258-66. [PMID: 16938115 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2006.00425.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM To investigate the Th1/Th2 cytokine changes in abortion-prone recipient mice adoptively transferred by the paternal antigen-hyporesponsive T cells. METHOD OF STUDY The paternal antigen-hyporesponsive T cells were generated by the anti-B7 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and adoptively transferred into pregnant CBA/J mice of abortion-prone matings on day 4 of gestation. The intracellular expressions of Th1 cell-derived cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, gamma-interferon and interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Th2 cell-derived cytokine, IL-4 and IL-10 in the maternal spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry, and secretions of the Th1 and Th2 cytokines in supernatant of the feto-placental unit culture were analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Our findings showed the increased secretion of Th1 cytokines and the decreased secretion of Th2 cytokines in abortion-prone matings. Treatment with anti-B7 mAbs on day 4 of gestation enhanced Th2 and reduced Th1 cytokine production in abortion-prone matings. Similarly, adoptive transfer of paternal antigen-hyporesponsive T cells induced maternal tolerance to the fetus and displayed a Th2 bias both in the peripheral lymphocytes and at the materno-fetal interface of the abortion-prone matings. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that the Th2 cytokine bias and an increase in fetal viability induced by the anti-B7 mAb treatment can be transferred to other pregnant mice of the abortion-prone matings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
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Trowsdale J, Betz AG. Mother's little helpers: mechanisms of maternal-fetal tolerance. Nat Immunol 2006; 7:241-6. [PMID: 16482172 DOI: 10.1038/ni1317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 424] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2005] [Accepted: 11/28/2005] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionary adaptation in mammals that allows implantation of their embryos in the mother's womb creates an immunological problem. Although it ensures optimal nourishment and protection of the fetus throughout its early development, intimate contact with the mother's uterine tissue makes the fetus a potential target for her immune system. As half the fetal genes are derived from the father, the developing embryo and placenta must be considered a 'semi-allograft'. Such a mismatched organ transplant would be readily rejected without powerful immune suppression. During pregnancy, however, the semi-allogeneic fetus is protected from assault by the maternal immune system over an extended period of time. The mother's immune system seems to recognize the fetus as 'temporary self'. How this feat is managed is key to understanding immunological tolerance and intervention in treating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Trowsdale
- Department of Pathology, Immunology Division, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
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Abstract
A central goal immunologists has been to develop targeted therapies that will induce or maintain immunologic tolerance in the absence of potentially harmful immunosuppression. The ability to isolate and expand regulatory T-cell populations with immune suppressive activity will enable new forms of adoptive immunotherapy that may achieve this long held dream. Assuming that certain technical challenges regarding the manufacturing of regulatory T cells can be overcome, a wide variety of clinical applications can be envisioned using adoptively transferred CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells. It is likely that suppressor T cells will first be tested for their ability to prevent or treat graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following allogeneic bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. A related approach will be clinical studies to induce allogeneic or xenogeneic tolerance using regulatory T cells in solid organ transplantation. A more technically challenging approach will be the use of regulatory T-cell therapy for autoimmune disorders. Finally on the horizon are approaches that will use genetically engineered lymphocytes to replace regulatory T cells in the immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome, and potentially to create more potent regulatory T (Treg) cells with enhanced suppressive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl H June
- The Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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