Neonates born to pre-eclamptic mothers have a higher percentage of natural killer cells (CD3 - /CD56+16+) in umbilical cord blood than those without pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Objective: Maternal endothelial dysfunction and intravascular inflammation have been implicated in the mechanisms of disease responsible for the clinical syndrome of pre-eclampsia. Recently, the activation of the innate limb of the immune response (neutrophils and monocytes) in the fetal circulation has been reported in neonates born to mothers with pre-eclampsia. Natural killer (NK) cells are identified morphologically as a subpopulation of lymphocytes, but functionally as one component of the innate immune system. NK cells participate in the control of viral or bacterial infection, regulation of hematopoiesis, production of cytokines and cytotoxicity of neoplastic cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that the innate system is required for mounting an adequate adaptive response. NK cells, originally defined as effector cells of the innate immune system, may also play a role as regulatory cells for the adaptive immune system. This study was designed to determine the proportion of the NK cell subset of lymphocytes in umbilical cord blood of neonates born to mothers with and without pre-eclampsia. Methods: A cross-sectional study including neonates of mothers with (n = 48) and those without pre-eclampsia (control group) (n = 72) was conducted. Pre-eclampsia was diagnosed in the presence of hypertension and proteinuria. The control group consisted of neonates (premature and term) with no evidence of acute inflammation within the extraplacental membranes (chorioamnionitis). Umbilical cord blood was collected at the time of delivery, and assayed using monoclonal antibodies for selective cluster differentiation (CD) antigens in order to determine the proportion of NK cells as a percentage of total lymphocytes. The immunophenotypic characteristic was determined using flow cytometry, and NK cells were identified by positivity of CD16 and CD56 without CD3 (CD3-/CD56+16+). Log transformation of the percentage of NK cells was performed. Parametric statistics were used for analysis. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to examine the contribution of potentially confounding factors on the proportion of NK cells. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Neonates born to mothers with pre-eclampsia had a significantly higher percentage of NK cells (CD3-/CD56+16+) than those in the control group (pre-eclampsia, mean ± SD 17 ± 9% vs. control, mean ± SD 12 ± 7.5%; p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis suggested that umbilical cord blood pH of < 7.2, labor with vaginal delivery and maternal pre-eclampsia were associated with an increased percentage of NK cells in umbilical cord blood. Conclusions: Pre-eclampsia is associated with a higher NK cell (CD3-/CD56+16+) subset of lymphocytes in umbilical cord blood than in the control group. This difference cannot be explained by fetal acidosis or the presence of labor.

York platelet syndrome is a CRAC channelopathy due to gain-of-function mutations in STIM1

“…Family D had 2 generations each containing a single affected individual. Patients A-II-2 and A-III-1 are the original YPS patients described by Dr. James White (15-18). Platelet EM findings of patient B-II-2 have been previously reported (14).…”

Preeclampsia is Associated with Lower Percentages of Regulatory T Cells in Maternal Blood

“…Using the intracellular marker Foxp3 is therefore superior and more accurate. Interestingly, some studies have shown an association between preeclampsia and changed levels of T cell subpopulations in umbilical cord blood, showing an alteration in the immunological parameters of the newborn (27,28).…”

Clinical immunology Quantitative changes of NK cells in umbilical cord blood of neonate in relation to the mode of delivery

“…One has considerably lowered activity in comparison to NK cells in adults, while the other has properties similar to the observed in people with mature immunological system. Number of NK cells, both under the influence of infection and certain non-infectious risk factors, mainly hypoxia, undergo dynamic changes [13]. Neonates with infections, regardless to fetal age, had lower percentage of NK cells, it concerns both term and premature neonates.…”