Decidual CD4+CD25+CD127dim/- regulatory T cells in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous miscarriage.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency and function of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim/-) regulatory T (Treg) cells in decidua of patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (URSM).


METHODS
The decidual lymphocytes from patients who experienced URSM and normal pregnant women (controls) were collected by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim/-) Treg cells were isolated by magnetic cell sorting. The proportion of Treg cells and IL-10, TGF-β in Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry. Inhibitory effects of Treg cells on effecter T cells were detected with or without the presentation of anti-IL-10 antibodies and anti-TGF-β antibodies.


RESULTS
The frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim/-) Treg cells was decreased in URSM decidua compared to controls (2.09%±0.86% vs. 2.97%±1.19%, p=0.005), and the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β in Treg cells was lower in the URSM group than in the control group (p=0.04 and p=0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the suppressive effect of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim/-) Treg cells on the proliferation of effector T cells was decreased in URSM decidua (p<0.05). Suppression was mediated predominantly through IL-10 and TGF-β in decidua.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased frequency and immunosuppressive capacity of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim/-) Treg cells was found in URSM decidua. Treg cells inhibit proliferation of effector T cells mainly via IL-10 and TGF-β in URSM decidua.
Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Shi Hua
SH
Bao
Xi Peng
XP
Wang
Qi
Q
De Lin
Wen Juan
WJ
Wang
Guang Jie
GJ
Yin
Li Hua
LH
Qiu
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
C508609:IL10 protein, human; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10