Could gamma/delta T cells influence the mother's rejection in recurrent aborted embryos?
The possibility that the investigation of aborted material may identify aetiologies not easily detectable from even a careful clinical investigation, suggested a study of the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of decidual-infiltrating T-lymphocytes in recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM). From 33 cases of RSM (>3 previous consecutive miscarriages, range 3-5, mean 3.7), PCR products were analysed by 15% acrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualised under UV illumination after ethidium bromide staining. A broad band obtained suggests the presence of a monoclonal T-lymphocyte proliferation. A PCR not showing bands means that the tissue does not contain reactive T cells. A total of 11 samples (33.3%) revealed the presence of receptor TCRgamma with the presence of a specific band. T-cell receptors in RSM were identified in one-third of cases. These data underline the importance of a maternal immune host response to the embryo and the need to study the immune mechanisms with the hope of modulating therapeutic treatment of recurrent abortion.
Raspollini
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MR
Departments of Human Pathology and Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Florence, viale G.B. Morgagni 85, 50134 Florence, Italy. mariarosaria.raspolini@unifi.it
Rossi Degl'Innocenti
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Castiglione
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Mecocci
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Marchionni
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Taddei
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D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta