title: Cutting edge: IL-10-producing regulatory B cells in early human pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The function of IL-10 producing regulatory B cells (Breg) during gestation is unknown. Here, we aimed to understand their participation in early pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  CD19(+) CD24(hi) CD27(+) B cell frequency, measured by flow cytometry, increased with pregnancy onset but not in the case of spontaneous abortions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  B cells from non-pregnant women cultured with serum from normal pregnant women produced higher IL-10 levels than those cultured with serum from spontaneous abortion patients or autologous serum. CD19(+) -activated B cells from pregnant women strongly suppressed TNF-a production by CD4(+) T cells when cocultured. We identified hCG as an important factor regulating the number and function of Breg during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breg emerge as important players in pregnancy; they suppress undesired immune responses from maternal T cells and are therefore important for tolerance acquisition.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Luise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rolle
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Memarzadeh Tehran
authors.forename: Anselm
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morell-García
authors.forename: Yanitsa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Raeva
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartig
authors.forename: Serban-Dan
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Ana Claudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Zenclussen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D060151:B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016753:Interleukin-10
keywords: Abortion; Breg; IL-10; TNF-alpha; hCG; pregnancy