Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles in recurrent aborters with successful pregnancy and with subsequent abortions.
BACKGROUND
This study compared Th1-Th2 cytokine profiles in a subgroup of recurrent aborters who had an abortion with those in a subgroup of recurrent aborters who had a successful pregnancy.


METHODS
Fifty-four women with a history of at least three normal pregnancies, 24 women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) followed by abortion (RSA-->A) and 39 women with a history of RSA followed by normal pregnancy (RSA-->N) were studied. Blood samples and placentas were obtained at the time of delivery or abortion; peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated separately with phytohaemagglutinin and with autologous placental cells, and the secreted cytokines estimated.


RESULTS
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the RSA-->N subgroup secreted higher concentrations of Th1-type cytokines as compared with normal pregnant women, indicating a higher Th1 bias in these women. However, women in the RSA-->N subgroup had significantly higher concentrations of Th2 cytokines as compared with women in the RSA-->A subgroup. A comparison of Th1:Th2 cytokine ratios indicated a higher Th2 bias in RSA-->N women as compared with RSA-->A women.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that abortion-prone women who proceed to have successful pregnancy are more Th2-biased than abortion-prone women who abort, and that recurrent aborters who undergo spontaneous abortion have a stronger Th1 bias than aborters who have normal pregnancy.
Makhseed
M
M
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Kuwait 13110.
Raghupathy
R
R
Azizieh
F
F
Omu
A
A
Al-Shamali
E
E
Ashkanani
L
L
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood*; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D008934:Mitogens