Peripheral Gamma Delta T cells secrete inflammatory cytokines in women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss.

BACKGROUND

Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are known to link innate and adaptive immunity. Decidual γδ T cells are known to provide immunotolerance by producing IL-10 and TGF-β. In recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) females, the role of peripheral γδ T cells remain unstudied.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the different phenotypes of γδ T cells in the peripheral blood of women with idiopathic RPL and their possible involvement in RPL condition.

METHODS

A total of 120 women were recruited for the study. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and they were stained with appropriate antibodies to determine the phenotype of γδ T cells and major cytokines produced by them in the blood using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We observed a significant decrease in the proportion of CD3CD4CD8γδ T cells (p<0.001) and increase in the percentage of IFN-γ (p<0.05) and IL-17 (p<0.001) producing γδ T cells in RPL pregnant as compared to normal pregnant females.

CONCLUSION

Increase in IFN-γ and IL-17-producing CD3 CD4CD8 γδ T cells is associated with creating inflammatory cytokine milieu, thereby, may contribute towards pregnancy loss in RPL females.