Women with multiple implantation failures and recurrent pregnancy losses have increased peripheral blood T cell activation.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to determine whether peripheral blood T cell activation is associated with repeated implantation failures or recurrent pregnancy losses (RPLs).


METHODS
Women with a history of repeated implantation failure (n = 18) or RPLs (n = 17) comprise the study group. Normal fertile women (n = 11) are included as controls. Proportion of activated peripheral blood T cells (CD69(+), CD154(+)) and Th1/Th2 cell ratios are measured by flow cytometric analysis.


RESULTS
Proportions (%) of CD4(+)/154(+) of CD4(+) and CD8(+)/154(+) of CD8(+) cells were significantly higher in study group than those of controls. Proportions (%) of CD3(+)/69(+) of CD3(+) cells and CD8(+)/69(+) of CD8(+) cells were significantly increased in study group compared to controls. Proportion (%) of CD4(+)/69(+) cells significantly correlated with % CD4(+)/154(+) cells (P = 0.003). Activated cytotoxic T cells (CD8(+)/154(+), CD8(+)/69(+)) inversely correlated with INF-gamma/IL-10 producing CD3(+)/4(+) T cell ratios. Proportion of activated CD3(+)/8(+)/69 and CD3(+)/8(+)/154(+) cells was inversely correlated with IFN-gamma/IL-10 expressing CD3(+)/4(+) T cell ratios.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with MIFs or RPLs have increased T cell activation in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and T cell suppressor activation seems to be associated with decreased Th1 immunity. Further studies on T cell activation may elucidate molecular mechanisms controlling Th1 effectors.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60061, USA.
Kwang Moon
KM
Yang
Evangelos
E
Ntrivalas
Hye Jin
HJ
Cho
Na Young
NY
Kim
Kenneth
K
Beaman
Alice
A
Gilman-Sachs
Joanne
J
Kwak-Kim
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma