Maternal and Fetal Factors that Contribute to the Localization of T Regulatory Cells During Pregnancy
Abstract
Problem: To determine the interplay between fetal antigenicity and local maternal factors in determining reproductive tract T regulatory (Treg) cell accumulation during pregnancy. Method of study: Examination of maternal Treg composition in the uterus, cervix, and uteroplacental interface (UPI) of murine syngeneic and allogeneic pregnancies and non-pregnant controls by flow cytometry. The impact of fetal antigenicity was defined by either fetal gender in syngeneic pregnancies or by allogeneic paternity. Impact of IL-6 on local Treg composition was determined using syngeneic pregnancies in IL-6^(−/−) females. Results: An increased fraction of CD4^+ T cells in the pregnant uterine lymphocytic infiltrate and draining pelvic lymph nodes are Tregs. Maternal IL-6 decreases Treg accumulation within the uterus and to a greater extent in the cervix in syngeneic pregnancy. Fetal antigenicity is matched by accumulation of Tregs to the UPI. Treg accumulation at the UPI of non-antigenic female fetuses is determined by the intrauterine position relative to male siblings. Conclusion: Reproductive tract tissue Treg composition during pregnancy is influenced by maternal IL-6 and fetal antigenicity.
Additional Information
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Submission December 9, 2013; accepted February 5, 2014. Article first published online: 14 Mar. 2014. The authors wish to acknowledge the support of Harvey L. Karp Discovery Award, a gift from the Scholars in Translational Medicine Program, the California Institute of Technology – University of California, Los Angeles Joint Center for Translational Medicine, and the Reproductive Scientist Development Program NIH/NICHD 2K12HD000849-26 (Moley).Additional details
- PMCID
- PMC4007192
- Eprint ID
- 46362
- DOI
- 10.1111/aji.12223
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140619-125638776
- Harvey L. Karp Discovery Award
- Scholars in Translational Medicine Program
- Caltech-UCLA Joint Center for Translational Medicine
- 2K12HD000849-26
- NIH/NICHD Reproductive Scientist Development Program
- Created
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2014-06-19Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field