CD4(+)CD25+ T regulatory cells in murine pregnancy

J Reprod Immunol. 2005 Apr;65(2):101-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jri.2005.01.003.

Abstract

Mammalian pregnancy is thought to be a state of immunological tolerance and immunological pregnancy complications may result from incomplete allo-tolerance. We reported recently a higher frequency of Th1 cytokine-producing T cells specific against paternal antigens in abortion-prone mice compared to normal pregnant mice. Since Th2 cells were shown to be not essential for normal pregnancy; alloreactive Th1 cells must be differently regulated. In this context, T regulatory cells (Treg) were proposed to play an essential role. Normal pregnant mice show an expansion of CD4(+)CD25+ and IL-10+ Treg cells at the periphery compared to non-pregnant animals. Further, we reported significantly lower frequencies of Treg in abortion-prone mice. Interestingly, CD4(+)CD25+ Treg cells from normal pregnant mice were able to prevent fetal rejection. Accordingly, down-regulated levels of Treg were also reported during human miscarriage. The putative mechanisms involved in Treg-induced tolerance in mice and humans are discussed in this review.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal / immunology*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-10