Maternal obesity is associated with a higher number of regulatory‐T‐cells in newborns without affecting suppression

• Published in: American journal of reproductive immunology (1989) Vol. 89; no. 4; pp. e13687 - n/a
• Main Authors: Arroyo‐Jousse, Viviana, Borzutzky, Arturo, Bono, María Rosa, Casanello, Paola
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Blood levels; CD4 antigen; Cord blood; Effector cells; Female; Fetal Blood; Flow cytometry; Humans; Immune system; Infant, Newborn; Leptin; leptin receptor; Leukocytes (mononuclear); Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes T; maternal obesity; Neonates; Obesity; Obesity - metabolism; Obesity, Maternal; Offspring; Pregnancy; Receptors, Leptin - metabolism; regulatory T cells; sex dimorphism; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; regulatory T cells; sex dimorphism; maternal obesity; leptin; leptin receptor
• ISSN: 1046-7408; 1600-0897
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.13687

Background Maternal obesity (MO) is associated with a higher risk of immune‐mediated diseases in the offspring and higher leptin levels in cord blood (CB). This study evaluates the number and function of lymphocyte subtypes in CB related to MO and its relationship with leptin concentration and leptin receptor expression. Methods Pregnant women with (n = 32) or without obesity (n = 41) were enrolled at delivery. Cord blood mononuclear cells were separated with Ficoll‐Hypaque. B and CD4+, regulatory and effector T cells were quantified by Flow Cytometry. Cord blood leptin concentration was measured by ELISA, and the leptin receptor (sLepR) on Treg cells was determined by Flow Cytometry. Results MO was associated with higher numbers of CD4+, Treg and effector T cells in the CB of their offspring, without differences in the suppressive function of Tregs. Female offspring had a higher number of these cells and a higher cord leptin concentration. Tregs expressed higher levels of sLepR than effector T cells, without differences between groups. Conclusions MO is associated with changes in the newborn's immune profile, more evident in female newborns with higher leptin concentrations. More studies are needed to identify the mechanisms by which the high levels of cord leptin in the newborn of women with obesity could affect the offspring's immune system.