Search

Problem Human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been suggested to play important roles during the initial stage of pregnancy. However, the clinical relevance and mechanism of the effects of hCG on Treg functions in women with recurrent implantation failure ( RIF) remain to be elucidated. Method of study Thirty-four RIF and twenty-three control women were included in the study. Endometrial and peripheral Tregs were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, respectively. Tregs were generated from naïve CD4+ T cells by stimulation with anti- CD3/ CD28 in the presence or absence of hCG, and the subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry, Western blotting, and qPCR. Results The percentages of endometrial FOXP3+ Tregs and peripheral CCR4+ FOXP3+ Tregs were significantly lower in the women with RIF than in the healthy controls. In addition, the percentages of CCR4+ FOXP3+ Tregs and TGF-β-expressing FOXP3+ Tregs were increased following the stimulation of naïve CD4+ T cells with anti- CD3/ CD28, and these increases were concomitant with AKT and ERK dephosphorylation. Conclusions The results of this study provide novel evidence supporting a role of hCG in regulating the differentiation of peripheral FOXP3+ Tregs. The alterations of circulating Tregs may positively affect the pregnancy outcomes of patients with a history of RIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem To investigate alterations of circulating lymphocyte subsets in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation ( COS) and survey their relations with pregnancy outcome. Method of Study Fifty-one women were included in this study, of which 24 women were successfully pregnant in the index IVF cycle (the successful pregnancy group, sPG) and 27 women failed to get pregnant (the non-pregnancy group, nPG). Peripheral blood was collected at three time points during COS: on the day before the first GnRHa administration (GnRHa day), on the day before the first Gn administration (Gn day), and on the day before HCG administration (HCG day). The intracellular Th1(IFN-γ and TNF-α)/Th2(IL-10) ratios in circulating Th cells after in vitro phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate stimulation, the NK cytotoxicity, and the percentage of T, B and NK cell subsets were assessed by flow cytometer. A third group consisting of patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF group, n = 18) was also enrolled, and the intracellular Th1/Th2 ratios were assessed at HCG day. Results Intergroup comparison: The ratios of IFN-γ/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 at HCG day were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in nPG than those in sPG, while no change at GnRHa day or Gn day. Higher ( P < 0.05) ratios of IFN-γ/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 at HCG day were also observed in RIF group compared to those in sPG. No significant change ( P > 0.05) was found in other assessed lymphocyte subsets or in the concentrations of progesterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone between the sPG and nPG at the three time points. Intragroup comparison: The ratios of IFN-γ/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 at HCG day were significantly ( P < 0.05) lower than those at GnRHa day in sPG, but not in nPG. No significant ( P > 0.05) difference was found in other assessed parameters or at other time points. Conclusions The ratios of Th1/Th2 were fluctuated during COS, and they might affect the pregnancy outcome of IVF. The circulating NK cytotoxicity and percentage of lymphocyte subsets were relatively stable during the COS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem The efficacy of lymphocyte immunotherapy ( LIT) for unexplained recurrent miscarriage ( uRM) remains indefinite. The objective of the present study is to comprehensively evaluate the alterations in the proportions and functions of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with uRM before and after LIT. Method of study Seventy-six women with uRM were included in the present study. Immunophenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes (76 patients), NK cytotoxicity (62 patients) and Th1 ( IFN-γ and TNF-α)/ Th2 ( IL-10) ratios (73 patients) were assessed during the luteal phase before LIT and after the third LIT by the flow cytometer. Results To date, 29 patients had already delivered or been pregnant more than 20 weeks (successful pregnancy group) and 5 patients experienced subsequent abortion (abortion group). The percentages of CD3+ T cell, CD3+ CD4+ T cell and IL-10-producing Th1 cell were significantly increased, whereas the percentages of CD3+ HLA- DR+ T cell, CD56+ CD3− NK cell and CD56dim CD16+ NK cell, the NK cytotoxicity and the ratios of Th1/Th2 were significantly decreased after LIT in the total patients and in the successful pregnant group. The percentages of CD56+ CD3− NK cell and IFN-γ-producing cell, and the ratio of IFN-γ/ IL-10 were significantly lower after LIT in the successful pregnant group compared to those in the abortion group. Conclusions LIT alters the proportions and functions of most peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets. Some of these alterations may be beneficial for pregnancy maintenance, whereas some may be potential markers for predicting subsequent abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]