T-HELPER 1 CYTOKINES INCREASE DURING EARLY PREGNANCY IN WOMEN WITH A HISTORY OF RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTION

Abstract

The measurment of various cytokines may provide a different tool for evaluation of the immune system. Recent investigations have shown that the number and function of peripheral natural killer cells (NK- cells) increase during early pregnancy in women with a history of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA). NK-cells activity may be responsible for some cases of RSA. The objective of this study was to assess the role of the Thl cytokines (IL-2, IFN-y, TNF-a ; TNF-/0 in this phenomenon, and detection of Thl cytokines in women with RSA. The control group consisted of 40 women with no history of pregnancy loss and complication. The abortion group comprised of 92 women having at least 3 pregnancy losses. Blood from the control group and women with RSA was taken at the end of first trimester of gestational age and at the time of abortion, respectively. Sera were separated and peripheral blood lymphocytes were challenged with PHA using RPMI medium. All samples were tested for concentration of Thl cytokines using ELISA methods. It was considered that sera from women with RSA produced higher concentration of TNF-«, TNF-/? , and IL-2 in comparison with sera from normal pregnant women (NPW) (P<0.001). We were not able to detect IL-2 in (NPW) whereas in 31% sera from RSA group, IL-2 was detectable (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between IFN-y, concentration in sera from patients and control group (P<0.182). Tissue culture supernatant from women with RSA also produced higher concentration of TNF-a. IFN-y, TNF-/* and IL2, than control group. These data may explain the increase NK-cells cytotoxicity during early pregnancy in women with a history of RSA. It may also provide a diagnostic tool to predict the outcome of pregnancy.