A novel surface molecule of Th2- and Tc2-type cells, CRTH2 expression on human peripheral and decidual CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during the early stage of pregnancy

Abstract

SUMMARYIt has been demonstrated that pregnancy induces the immunomodulation of cytokine responses away from the Th1 paradigm and towards the Th2 paradigm. In this study, we examined the expression of CRTH2 (chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2) on decidual CD41 and CD8 1 T cells during the early stages of pregnancy. Examination of the cytokine profile revealed that CRTH2 was expressed on CD41 -type-2 T helper (Th2-type) and CD8 1 -type 2 T cytotoxic (Tc2-type) cells. The percentages of CRTH2 1 cells in CD3 1 /CD4 1 T cells and CD3 1 /CD8 1 T cells were significantly higher in the decidua than in the peripheral blood. These results indicate the significance of Th2-and Tc2-type cells of the decidua in the maternal immune system, presumably through their production of cytokines which may contribute to the maintenance of pregnancy.

REVIEW ARTICLE: Th1/Th2/Th17 and Regulatory T‐Cell Paradigm in Pregnancy

“…2,3,25 This tendency is more clear at the feto-maternal interface (Table 1). Both Th2 cells and T cytotoxic (Tc) 2 cells accumulate in the decidua basalis, 26,27 and uterine DC cells can differentiate naïve T cells to Th2 cells. 28 Therefore, both Th2 cell migration and Th2 cell differentiation induce Th2-type immunity at the feto-maternal interface.…”

“…But the systemic immune system does not change so much. 25,26 Moreover, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 knockout mice show normal pregnancy in allogeneic pregnancy, 28 suggesting that predominant Th2-type immunity might not be essential for successful pregnancy. Administration of excess amount of Th1-type cytokine such as IL-2 or IFNc induces abortion in mice, and stimulation of toll-like receptor (TLR) induces Th1-type cytokine production, resulting in abortion.…”

Cutting Edge: Agonistic Effect of Indomethacin on a Prostaglandin D2 Receptor, CRTH2

“…In contrast to DP, CRTH2 is coupled with G ␣i -type G protein and is thought to be involved in stimulatory activities of PGD 2 such as induction of cell migration and up-modulation of adherent molecules (8,11). CRTH2 is intriguing in that it is selectively expressed in allergy-related cell types, including Th2 cells, T cytotoxic 2 cells, eosinophils, and basophils, and in yet unidentified monocyte/ dendritic cell-like leukocytes (12)(13)(14)(15). However, exact roles of CRTH2 in vivo still remain to be examined due to the lack of selective agonists and antagonists.…”

THE ROLE OF THE DIFFERENT SUBPOPULATIONS OF CD4⁺Т LYMPHOCYTES DURING PREGNANCY

“…Th2 lymphocytes express CCR4, CCR8, and CRTh2, providing for homing of these cells [105,128]. Active Th2-lymphocyte migration into the decidua is secured by trophoblast production and CCL17 stromal cells (CCR4 ligand) in the first trimester of pregnancy [32].…”