Differential Suppression Activity Induced by Paternal Leukocyte Immunization in Habitual Abortion

Abstract

In order to investigate the possible role of suppressor cells in paternal leukocyte immunization to prevent recurrent miscarriages, peripheral blood lymphocytes from habitually aborting women before and after immunization were assessed. Immunization-induced suppressor activity as shown by (1) rise in CD8-positive cells and a decline in the CD4/CD8 ratio, (2) failure of cyclosporine A to inhibit the proliferation of phytohemagglutinin- and alloantigen-stimulated cells and (3) unresponsiveness to the immunizing spouses’ antigen. These findings resembled those in normal pregnant women. Hence, paternal leukocyte immunization may induce specific and nonspecific T cell suppression which may induce the immune tolerance necessary to maintain pregnancy.

Immunological Analogy Between Allograft Rejection, Recurrent Abortion and Pre-Eclampsia – the Same Basic Mechanism?

“…The beneficial effect of immunization was attributed to induction of idiotypic IgG antibodies against autologous maternal TCR receptors [208], induction of non-specific T cell suppression [209], shifting cytokine activity towards Th2 type [210], and decrease of NK cell activity [211]. These observations seem to confirm that the above described mechanisms might be causative factors in the rejection of fetal allograft.…”

Immunotherapy of Habitual Abortion

“…In order to see whether suppressor cells could be induced by immunization, Behar et al 18 incubated with cyclosporine A (CsA) peripheral blood lymphocytes drawn from 12 habitually aborting patients before immunization and from 10 after immuni~ation.~sJ\ induce~suppressor cells in patients prior to immunization and In control males, but not in patients after immunization nor in pregnant women. Hence immunization altered lymphocyte populations to resemb le those seen in normal pregnancy.…”

Anti‐Paternal Antibodies by Flow Cytometry in the Management of Alloimmunization on Recurrent Miscarriages

“…(2) Anti-paternal antibodies may themselves not be important, but may predict proper immune recognition of paternal antigens. These recognitions may lead to beneficial effects of immunotherapy as has been reported: specific and nonspecific T-cell suppression, 23 production of auto-anti-idiotypic antibodies, 24 a decrease in the level of maternal IL-2 receptors, 25 and a shift to Th2-type immunity. 26 Recent Th1/Th2 theory may support these beneficial effects to maintain successful pregnancy.…”