The role of invariant NKT cells in pre-eclampsia.

PROBLEM

Recent data suggest a dominant role of the innate, rather than the adaptive immune system in pregnancy-related immunoregulation. Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells represent a link between the innate and the acquired immune systems; however, little is known about how they function in pre-eclampsia. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible role of iNKT cells in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

METHOD OF STUDY

Human peripheral blood samples were obtained from pre-eclamptic, healthy pregnant- and non-pregnant women. Freshly separated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were immediately labeled with anti-perforin-, anti-CD69-, anti-CD95-, anti-NKG2A-, anti-NKG2D-, anti-IFN-gamma and anti iNKT antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Pre-eclamptic patients demonstrated increased CD69, perforin and IFN-gamma expression, which could be explained by dysregulation of NK cell receptor expression. These Th1 polarized cells were less susceptible to apoptosis than iNKT cells from healthy pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that activated iNKT cells of pre-eclamptic women have an increased cytotoxic potential, which may be because of altered expression of NK cell inhibitory and activating receptors.