Increased T‐Helper‐1‐Type Immunity and Decreased T‐Helper‐2‐Type Immunity in Patients with Preeclampsia

Abstract

Up-regulation of Th1 responses and down-regulation of Th2 responses occur in preeclampsia.

Plasma granulysin concentrations and preeclampsia risk

“…Our results are consistent with a previous study [20], which demonstrated elevated serum levels of granulysin in preeclamptic Japanese women (3.8±1.8 ng/ml in severe preeclamptic cases and 2.6±0.6 ng/ ml in mild cases) as compared with normotensive controls (1.9±0.8 ng/ml). Our results are also compatible with those studies indicating cytotoxic T-cell and natural killer cell are activated in preeclampsia [13] and those in-vitro reports indicting that phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated 1L-2 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production are significantly higher (P<0.001) in preeclamptic patients than in the controls [26]. IL-2 and IFN-γ are synthesized by Th1 cells.…”

“…Many cross-sectional and prospective studies have documented this pathophysiological aspect of preeclampsia using single or multiple biomarkers of cytokines [10,11] or acute phase response proteins such as C-reactive protein [12]. Cytotoxic CD8 + T-cell (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cell have been shown to be more prevalent in preeclampsia than in normal pregnant women using flow cytometry [13]. Importantly, placenta pathology indicate fibrin and complement deposition and "foam" cells in atherosis lesions, which resemble the histopathology of acute graft rejection [14].…”

Immunological role of vitamin D at the maternal–fetal interface

“…In addition to their enhanced immune-modulatory potential, decidual macrophages also demonstrated a higher proliferative and tissue remodelling capacity, when compared with their peripheral blood counterparts (Gustafsson et al 2008). In the context of adverse pregnancy, elevated serum concentrations of IL12 (which augment the production of inflammatory cytokines) have also been measured in the peripheral blood of women with pre-eclampsia (PET) (Saito et al 1999). Lower levels of anti-inflammatory IL10 have also been reported in the decidua basalis in cases of PET (Schonkeren et al 2011, Darby et al 2013.…”

Increased circulating paternal antigen-specific IFN-γ- and IL-4-secreting cells during pregnancy in allergic and non-allergic women

“…A substantial number of studies indicate a redirection of the immune responses towards a less aggressive type during pregnancy Raghupathy et al, 2000). A T helper type 1 (Th1) to T helper type 2 (Th2) shift has been reported to characterize the third trimester, with a decreased production of the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ, and an increased production of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 (Marzi et al, 1996;Saito et al, 1999;Aris et al, 2008). We have previously shown that pregnant women have a higher number of both IFN-γ and IL-4 expressing mononuclear cells in blood than non-pregnant women (Matthiesen et al, 1998;Matthiesen et al, 2003).…”