Circulating interferon-gamma- and interleukin-4-secreting cells in recurrent spontaneous abortions.
OBJECTIVE
Are recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSAs) associated with deviation of circulating cytokine-secreting cells?


METHODS
Interferon (IFN)-gamma- and interleukin (IL)-4 secreting cells were identified by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) in blood from 34 women with RSA. Samples were taken before pregnancy and/or pregnancy weeks 7-10, 17-20, and after terminated pregnancy. Eleven healthy primigravidae and 10 non-pregnant women served as controls.


RESULTS
No significant difference in numbers of IFN-gamma- and IL-4-secreting cells was noted within the RSA group when abortions and successful pregnancies were compared in samples taken before pregnancy. The number of IFN-gamma- as well as IL-4-secreting cells in pregnancy weeks 17-20 in the RSA group was significantly higher compared with before pregnancy, pregnancy weeks 7-10, and after pregnancy. In samples from non-pregnant women, the number of IFN-gamma- and IL-4-secreting cells was significantly higher in the RSA group compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not indicate a systemic shift in the general balance between T helper 1- and T helper 2-type cytokine pattern. A local shift at the fetomaternal interface seems more probable.
Palfi
M
M
Department of Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Institution of Health and Environment, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
Jablonowska
B
B
Matthiesen
L
L
Ernerudh
J
J
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma