[Effect of intravenous gamma-globulin therapy on lymphocyte population in pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibodies].
The aim of the study was to establish the distribution of the lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood in pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and a history of recurrent pregnancy loss as well as to make a study on the influence of the intravenous IgG-treatment (IVIg) on the levels of antibodies and peripheral lymphocytes.


METHODS
14 pregnant women were investigated. The latter had two or more recurrent abortions and positive aPL--anticardiolipin (aCL) and/or anti-beta 2-Glycoprotein I (anti-beta 2-GPI). The lymphocyte populations were examined, using a flowcytometric method in peripheral blood before 6-7th gestational week and on the 10-14 day after the second IVIg infusion. 10 pregnant women wer used as controls who had no aPL antibodies and no pregnancy loss.


RESULTS
13 out of 14 pregnancies were successful Lymphocyte populations of the examined patients before the first infusion compared to the controls showed statistically significant differences for: T-lymphocyted Th(reduced) and CD3-CD56 + NK (increased) Significant increase after therapy was noticed for the levels of T-lymphocytes, and Th while the NK-cell populations were significantly reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
aPL-positive pregnancies most probably were associated with elevated and activated peripheral NK-cell subpopulations. The low doses of IVIg successfully reduce the levels of aPL, as well as peripheral CD3-CD56 + NK cells.
Konova
E
E
Ivanova
I
I
Petrova
P
P
Popov
I
I
Andreeva
Kh
Kh
Lukanov
Ts
Ts
Gecheva
S
S
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D006023:Glycoproteins; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I; D001241:Aspirin