Increased CD56(+) NK cells and enhanced Th1 responses in human unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion

Genet Mol Res. 2015 Dec 22;14(4):18103-9. doi: 10.4238/2015.December.22.36.

Abstract

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is reported to be associated with immune imbalance at the maternal-fetal interface. Immune cells in the decidual tissue are involved in maintaining immune tolerance during pregnancy; however, whether natural killer (NK) and T cells are altered in unexplained RSA (URSA) remains unknown. In this study, we compared the number and percentage of CD56(+) NK cells, CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells by flow cytometry in 30 URSA patients and 30 normal pregnant controls. We found that there are a higher proportion of CD4(+) T cells and CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells and a lower number of CD8(+) T cells in the decidual tissue of URSA patients compared to normal controls. In addition, the number of T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and the Th1/Th2 ratio were higher in URSA patients compared to normal pregnant controls. In conclusion, our results indicate that the changes in the proportion of local T lymphocyte subsets, NK and Th1 cells, in the maternal-fetal interface may be related to occurrence of URSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / immunology*
  • Abortion, Habitual / pathology
  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD56 Antigen / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Count*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Maternal-Fetal Relations
  • Pregnancy
  • Th1 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • CD56 Antigen
  • NCAM1 protein, human