Activation markers of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in late pregnancy and after delivery: a pilot study

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases 2005-02, Vol.64 (2), p.318-320
• Main Authors: Østensen, M, Sicher, P, Förger, F, Villiger, P M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Arthritis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; chemokine receptors; Chemokines; Concise Report; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Female; Flow Cytometry - methods; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; immune response; Immunity, Cellular; interleukin; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Mann-Whitney U test; Medical sciences; Patients; PBMC; PBS; peripheral blood mononuclear cells; phosphate buffered saline; Pilot Projects; Postpartum Period - immunology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy - immunology; Pregnancy Complications - immunology; rheumatoid arthritis; Steroids; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Th1 Cells - immunology; Th2 Cells - immunology; Womens health
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.2004.022558

Objective: To study the putative shift of a Th1 to a Th2 immune response in pregnancy and its reversal post partum in healthy women and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined by FACS analysis for the expression of activation markers CD25 and HLA-DR and chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR4 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in four healthy women and four patients with RA. Samples were analysed once in the third trimester and six and 12 weeks post partum. Eight healthy non-pregnant women served as controls. Results: No reduction of CD25 and HLA-DR+ T cells occurred in the third trimester, but a significant increase was observed post partum in healthy women and an even greater increase in patients. Proportions of T cells expressing the CXCR3 or CCR4 marker were similar in patients and controls during pregnancy, whereas a significant increase occurred post partum. The ratio of CXCR3+ to CCR4+ cells remained unchanged during the observation period and did not differ significantly from that in non-pregnant controls. Conclusion: A shift from a Th1 to a Th2 immune response was not detected in the circulation of healthy pregnant women or pregnant patients. The significant increase of T cell activation after pregnancy warrants further investigation into the mechanisms of adjustment of the immune system post partum and its clinical correlates in rheumatic patients.