Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in the First Trimester—Comparison of Missed Miscarriage and Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

The advantage in response of Th2 over Th1 is observed in normal pregnancy in peripheral blood. A disturbance of this balance can lead to symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in sera of women who were diagnosed with missed miscarriage in the first trimester and to compare this systemic immune response to the response in women with normal pregnancy. The study group consisted of 61 patients diagnosed with missed miscarriage. In total, 19 healthy women with uncomplicated first trimester created the control group. Cytokines were determined in the maternal serum by ELISA. The analysis included INF-γ, TNF-α, Il-1β, Il-4, Il-5, Il-6, Il-9, Il-10, Il-13 and TGF-β1. Th1 cytokine levels in the study group reached slightly higher values for INF-γ, Il-1β and slightly lower for IL-6 and TNF-α. In turn, Th2 cytokine levels in the study group were slightly higher (Il-9, Il-13), significantly higher (Il4, p = 0.015; Il-5, p = 0.0003) or showed no differences with the control group (Il-10). Slightly lower concentration involved only TGF-β1. Analysis of the correlation between levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines resulted in some discrepancies, without showing predominance of a specific immune response. The results did not confirm that women with missed miscarriage had an advantage in any type of immune response in comparison to women with normal pregnancy.

Contradictory Effect of Lymphocyte Therapy and Prednisolone Therapy on CD3+CD8+CD56+ Natural Killer T Population in Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

“…[ 67 ] In early pregnancy, IFN-γ is mainly produced by Th1 cells. [ 68 ] The presence of IFN-γ in implantation and the first trimester is crucial, [ 69 ] and then, its level in serum and tissue will be regulated. [ 68 ] The excessive increase or decrease of this inflammatory cytokine can increase the risk of miscarriage.…”

IL-6 and IL-8: An Overview of Their Roles in Healthy and Pathological Pregnancies

“…An increased IL-6 concentration in plasma [ 128 ] and serum [ 123 , 129 , 130 ], as well as greater expression in PBMCs [ 123 , 128 ], is found in SPL and RPL patients vs. controls. Unaltered [ 131 , 132 ] or decreased IL-6 levels in serum [ 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 ] of SPL and RPL patients are also shown. Similarly, unaltered [ 131 ], increased [ 133 , 136 ] and decreased [ 134 ] levels of IL-8 in PL patients are all reported.…”

Inflammation-Related Molecules at the Maternal–Fetal Interface during Pregnancy and in Pathologically Altered Endometrium

“…The inability of NFκB to induce gene expression results in the inhibition of IL-2, IL-4, and IFNγ production by T lymphocytes [ 47 ]. These processes are essential for immunosuppression and the maintenance of maternal tolerance of the fetus during pregnancy [ 48 , 49 ]. Pregnancy-specific suppression of NFκB expression plays a role in reducing the production of cytokines by Th1 lymphocytes and maintaining the cytokine profile necessary for pregnancy initiation.…”