Abstract
Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined by FACS analysis for the expression of activation markers CD25 and HLA-DR and chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR4 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in four healthy women and four patients with RA. Samples were analysed once in the third trimester and six and 12 weeks post partum. Eight healthy non-pregnant women served as controls.
Results: No reduction of CD25 and HLA-DR+ T cells occurred in the third trimester, but a significant increase was observed post partum in healthy women and an even greater increase in patients. Proportions of T cells expressing the CXCR3 or CCR4 marker were similar in patients and controls during pregnancy, whereas a significant increase occurred post partum. The ratio of CXCR3+ to CCR4+ cells remained unchanged during the observation period and did not differ significantly from that in non-pregnant controls.
Conclusion: A shift from a Th1 to a Th2 immune response was not detected in the circulation of healthy pregnant women or pregnant patients. The significant increase of T cell activation after pregnancy warrants further investigation into the mechanisms of adjustment of the immune system post partum and its clinical correlates in rheumatic patients.
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Figure 1.
Percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells expressing activation markers CD25 and HLA-DR in four healthy pregnant women, four pregnant patients with RA, and eight healthy, non-pregnant women shown as median and range. The time of FACS analysis is shown by the key. preg, pregnant; pat, patients. *Significant difference compared with non-pregnant controls (p<0.05 by Mann-Whitney U test).
Figure 2.
Percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells expressing chemokine markers CXCR3 and CCR4 in four healthy pregnant women, four pregnant patients with RA, and eight healthy, non-pregnant women shown as median and range. The time of FACS analysis is shown by the key. preg, pregnant; pat, patients. *Significant difference compared with non-pregnant controls (p<0.05 by Mann-Whitney U test).