Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles in recurrent aborters with successful pregnancy and with subsequent abortions

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 16; no. 10; pp. 2219 - 2226
• Main Authors: Makhseed, M., Raghupathy, R., Azizieh, F., Omu, A., Al-Shamali, E., Ashkanani, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.10.2001
• Subjects: Abortion, Habitual - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Coculture Techniques; Cytokines - blood; Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; Medical sciences; Mitogens - pharmacology; Monocytes - immunology; Monocytes - pathology; Placenta - immunology; Placenta - pathology; pregnancy; Pregnancy - blood; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; recurrent spontaneous abortion; Th1 Cells - drug effects; Th1 Cells - metabolism; Th1 cytokines; Th2 Cells - drug effects; Th2 Cells - metabolism; Th2 cytokines; Th2 cytokines; recurrent spontaneous abortion; Th1 cytokines; pregnancy; Pregnancy; Human; Relapse; Pregnancy disorders; Secretion; Cytokine; Female; Phytohemagglutinin; Gene expression; Abortion; Lymphocyte
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/16.10.2219

BACKGROUND: This study compared Th1–Th2 cytokine profiles in a subgroup of recurrent aborters who had an abortion with those in a subgroup of recurrent aborters who had a successful pregnancy. METHODS: Fifty-four women with a history of at least three normal pregnancies, 24 women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) followed by abortion (RSA→A) and 39 women with a history of RSA followed by normal pregnancy (RSA→N) were studied. Blood samples and placentas were obtained at the time of delivery or abortion; peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated separately with phytohaemagglutinin and with autologous placental cells, and the secreted cytokines estimated. RESULTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the RSA→N subgroup secreted higher concentrations of Th1-type cytokines as compared with normal pregnant women, indicating a higher Th1 bias in these women. However, women in the RSA→N subgroup had significantly higher concentrations of Th2 cytokines as compared with women in the RSA→A subgroup. A comparison of Th1:Th2 cytokine ratios indicated a higher Th2 bias in RSA→N women as compared with RSA→A women. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that abortion-prone women who proceed to have successful pregnancy are more Th2-biased than abortion-prone women who abort, and that recurrent aborters who undergo spontaneous abortion have a stronger Th1 bias than aborters who have normal pregnancy.