Andreescu Mihaela, Tanase Alina, Andreescu Bogdan, Moldovan Cosmin
Department of Clinical Sciences, Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University of Bucharest, 031593 Bucharest, Romania.
Department of Hematology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 17;26(2):785. doi: 10.3390/ijms26020785.
In approximately half of the recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) cases, the underlying cause is unknown. However, most unexplained miscarriages are thought to be linked to immune dysfunction. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the immunological evaluations of patients with RSA, with potential implications for clinical research. The immune system plays a crucial role in the successful outcome of pregnancy, as it tolerates the semi-allogeneic fetus while offering protection to both the mother and fetus from pathogens. The maternal-fetal interface is the place where the crosstalk between various immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells takes place. An adequate balance is required between these immune cells for pregnancy to progress. In RSA, a dysregulation between these immune players is witnessed. For example, in RSA, NK cells are not increased but also undergo a change in their activity, manifested as cytotoxic decidual NK. Similarly, regulatory T cells, which are crucial for fostering a tolerant immune environment, are decreased in RSA women. Similarly, imbalances between T-helper (Th1, Th2, Th17) cell subsets have been implicated in RSA. Furthermore, the imbalance between pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotypes has been documented, with studies indicating a predominance of M1 macrophages in RSA patients. Targeting immune imbalances with therapies such as immunoglobulin administration, TNF inhibitors, and anticoagulants may improve pregnancy outcomes in women with RSA.
在大约一半的复发性自然流产(RSA)病例中,潜在病因不明。然而,大多数不明原因的流产被认为与免疫功能障碍有关。本综述总结了目前关于RSA患者免疫学评估的证据,对临床研究具有潜在意义。免疫系统在妊娠成功结局中起着关键作用,因为它能耐受半同种异体胎儿,同时保护母亲和胎儿免受病原体侵害。母胎界面是巨噬细胞、树突状细胞、自然杀伤(NK)细胞和T细胞等各种免疫细胞发生相互作用的场所。这些免疫细胞之间需要保持适当平衡,妊娠才能顺利进行。在RSA中,可以看到这些免疫细胞之间存在失调。例如,在RSA中,NK细胞数量并未增加,但其活性发生了变化,表现为细胞毒性蜕膜NK细胞。同样,对于营造耐受免疫环境至关重要的调节性T细胞在RSA女性中数量减少。类似地,辅助性T(Th1、Th2、Th17)细胞亚群之间的失衡也与RSA有关。此外,促炎M1型和抗炎M2型巨噬细胞表型之间的失衡也有文献记载,研究表明RSA患者中M1巨噬细胞占主导地位。通过免疫球蛋白给药、TNF抑制剂和抗凝剂等疗法来纠正免疫失衡,可能会改善RSA女性的妊娠结局。