Evidence of a T(H) 1 type response associated with recurrent miscarriage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the T(H) 1 cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma is associated with miscarriage whereas the T(H) 2 cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 is associated with successful pregnancy.


METHODS
Controlled clinical study.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers in an academic setting.


METHODS
Group 1 comprised 10 nonpregnant women; group 2, 10 first-trimester primigravid women; group 3, 10 first-trimester primigravid women suffering spontaneous abortion; and group 4, 10 first-trimester pregnant women with a history of miscarriage. All women were pregnant at the time of sampling, but 5 miscarried later in the first trimester.


METHODS
None of the patients received any medication.


METHODS
Serum levels of IL-10 and IFN-gamma.


RESULTS
Levels of IL-10 were significantly raised in normal pregnancy. Levels of IFN-gamma were raised in the recurrent-miscarriage group as compared with normal pregnancy. When patients in group 4 were divided into those whose pregnancies went to term and those who miscarried, we found that successful pregnancy was associated with a statistically significant increase in IL-10, whereas miscarriage was associated with significantly increased levels of IFN-gamma.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the view that miscarriage is associated with a T(H) 1 type response.
Jenkins
C
C
Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Roberts
J
J
Wilson
R
R
MacLean
M A
MA
Shilito
J
J
Walker
J J
JJ
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism
D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma