CD3-/HLA-DR+, CD3+/HLA-DR+ cell levels and PHA stimulation of lymphocytes obtained from women with recurrent spontaneous abortions and subjected to partner's lymphocyte immunization

Abstract

It is assumed that 80% of recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) of unknown etiology are of immunological origin. The proposed experimental treatment of those patients could be immunization with paternal lymphocytes, though the exact mechanism through which this therapy exerts its effect is still unknown. Some authors suggest that lymphocyte alloimmunization alters the number and activity of particular subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proliferative O activity of lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and the percentage of peripheral lymphocytes carrying CD3+/HLA-DR+ and CD3-/HLA-DR+ markers, present in 32 selected for this study RSA women subjected to paternal lymphocytes' alloimmunization performed prior to conception and in early pregnancy. We conclude that, the post-immunization changes seem to have different quantitative and qualitative character comparing to those seen in normal pregnancy. They seem to avert unfavourable immunological phenomena observed in RSA women, allowing for successful continuation of pregnancy.