Evidence of a T(H) 1 type response associated with recurrent miscarriage.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether the T(H) 1 cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma is associated with miscarriage whereas the T(H) 2 cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 is associated with successful pregnancy.

DESIGN:

Controlled clinical study.

SETTING:

Healthy volunteers in an academic setting.

PATIENT(S):

Group 1 comprised 10 nonpregnant women; group 2, 10 first-trimester primigravid women; group 3, 10 first-trimester primigravid women suffering spontaneous abortion; and group 4, 10 first-trimester pregnant women with a history of miscarriage. All women were pregnant at the time of sampling, but 5 miscarried later in the first trimester.

INTERVENTION(S):

None of the patients received any medication.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):

Serum levels of IL-10 and IFN-gamma.

RESULT(S):

Levels of IL-10 were significantly raised in normal pregnancy. Levels of IFN-gamma were raised in the recurrent-miscarriage group as compared with normal pregnancy. When patients in group 4 were divided into those whose pregnancies went to term and those who miscarried, we found that successful pregnancy was associated with a statistically significant increase in IL-10, whereas miscarriage was associated with significantly increased levels of IFN-gamma.

CONCLUSION(S):

These results support the view that miscarriage is associated with a T(H) 1 type response.

• Authors: C Jenkins, J Roberts, R Wilson, M A MacLean, J Shilito, J J Walker
• Journal: Fertility and sterility (Fertil Steril) Vol. 73 Issue 6 Pg. 1206-8 (Jun 2000) ISSN: 0015-0282 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10856484 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-10
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Abortion, Habitual (blood, metabolism)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (blood, metabolism)
• Interleukin-10 (blood, metabolism)
• Pregnancy
• Reference Values
• Th1 Cells (metabolism)
• Th2 Cells (metabolism)