Differential distribution of CD4(+)CD25(bright) and CD8(+)CD28(-) T-cells in decidua and maternal blood during human pregnancy

Placenta. 2006 Apr:27 Suppl A:S47-53. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2005.11.008. Epub 2006 Jan 25.

Abstract

During pregnancy several maternal and fetal mechanisms are established to prevent a destructive immune response against the allogeneic fetus. Despite these mechanisms, fetus specific T-cells persist throughout gestation but little is known about the regulation of these T-cells. Recently, CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T-cells have been identified in human decidua. Human decidua forms the maternal part of the fetal-maternal interface and is subdivided in two distinct regions: the decidua (d.) basalis and the decidua (d.) parietalis. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of specific T-cell subsets in d. basalis and d. parietalis in early and term pregnancy, with a special emphasis on the presence of CD4(+)CD25(bright) (regulatory) T-cells and CD8(+)CD28(-) (suppressor) T-cells. In addition, we compared phenotypic characteristics of decidua derived T-cell subsets with maternal peripheral blood (mPBL) T-cells and T-cells from non-pregnant controls. We identified significantly higher percentages of CD4(+)CD25(bright) and CD8(+)CD28(-) T-cells in decidua compared to peripheral blood suggesting an important role for these T-cell subsets locally at the fetal-maternal interface. The major differences in T-cell subset distribution and the presence of additional phenotypic differences between T-cells in d. basalis, d. parietalis and mPBL may reflect specific immunomodulatory functions of these T-cell subsets at these different sites during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • CD28 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • Decidua / immunology*
  • Decidua / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy* / blood
  • Pregnancy* / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism

Substances

  • CD28 Antigens
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2