| 1. |
- Gustafsson (Lidström), Charlotte, et al.
(author)
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Cytokine secretion in decidual mononuclear cells from term human pregnancy with or without labour : ELISPOT detection of IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10, TGF-beta and TNF-alpha
- 2006
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In: Journal of reproductive immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0378. ; 71:1, s. 41-56
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cytokines are believed to be important in maintaining pregnancy and in the process of labour induction in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the secretion of the cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in decidual tissue with or without labour. Decidual tissue was collected from 32 healthy women undergoing elective caesarean sections before the onset of labour (n = 17) or after normal vaginal delivery (n = 15). Mononuclear cells were analysed for cytokine secretion with ELISPOT. To validate the widely used method of tissue collected at caesarean sections and after vaginal deliveries as a representative of before and after labour, respectively, placenta biopsies were collected from 12 healthy women to study the expression of the prostaglandin pathway enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase (mPGES). Decidual mononuclear cells from term human pregnancy spontaneously secrete IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β and TNF-α. No difference was seen in cytokine secretion with or without labour, indicating that decidual leukocytes are not the main cell population responsible for plausible cytokine regulation in the process of termination of pregnancy. Placental tissues obtained after vaginal delivery showed a higher mRNA expression of the prostaglandin regulating molecules COX-2 and mPGES than tissues from caesarean sections before the onset of labour, validating that the model can be used as a representative of the state before and after labour.
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| 2. |
- Gustafsson (Lidström), Charlotte, et al.
(author)
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Gene expression profiling of human decidual macrophages : Evidence for immunosuppressive phenotype
- 2008
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In: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 3:4, s. e2078-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Although uterine macrophages are thought to play an important regulatory role at the maternal-fetal interface, their global gene expression profile is not known. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using micro-array comprising approximately 14,000 genes, the gene expression pattern of human first trimester decidual CD14+ monocytes/macrophages was characterized and compared with the expression profile of the corresponding cells in blood. Some of the key findings were confirmed by real time PCR or by secreted protein. A unique gene expression pattern intrinsic of first trimester decidual CD14+ cells was demonstrated. A large number of regulated genes were functionally related to immunomodulation and tissue remodelling, corroborating polarization patterns of differentiated macrophages mainly of the alternatively activated M2 phenotype. These include known M2 markers such as CCL-18, CD209, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, mannose receptor c type (MRC)-1 and fibronectin-1. Further, the selective up-regulation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-2, alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) and prostaglandin D2 synthase (PGDS) provides new insights into the regulatory function of decidual macrophages in pregnancy that may have implications in pregnancy complications. Conclusions/Significance: The molecular characterization of decidual macrophages presents a unique transcriptional profile replete with important components for fetal immunoprotection and provides several clues for further studies of these cells.
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| 3. |
- Jonsson, Yvonne, et al.
(author)
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Cytokine mapping of sera from women with preeclampsia and from women with normal pregnancies
- 2006
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In: Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0378. ; 70:1-2, s. 83-91
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome. The immune system in preeclampsia is changed with an increased innate activity and there is a hypothesis of a shift towards Th1-type immunity. The aim of this study was to determine a spectrum of soluble immunological factors denoting different aspects of immune activation in third trimester sera from women with preeclampsia (N = 15) and compare with levels in sera from normal pregnant women (N = 15). Material and methods IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 p40, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IFN-α, IFN-γ, TNF-α, GM-CSF, MIP-lα, MIP-1β, MCP-1, eotaxin and RANTES were measured in serum using multiplex bead arrays. The levels of soluble CD14 and soluble IL-4 receptor were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Results Preeclamptic women had significantly increased levels of circulating IL-6 (p = 0.002), IL-8 (p = 0.003) and soluble IL-4R (p = 0.037), compared to women with normal pregnancies. Conclusion This study supports the hypothesis of increased inflammatory responses in preeclampsia, illustrated by the increased levels of IL-6 and IL-8. The finding of increased levels of soluble IL-4 receptor is an intriguing finding with several interpretations, which may partly support the hypothesis of a Th1 shift in preeclampsia.
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| 4. |
- Jonsson, Yvonne, 1974-
(author)
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Cytokines and immune balance in preeclampsia : a survey of some immunological variables and methods in the study of preeclampsia
- 2005
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Preeclampsia is one of the most feared pregnancy complications, with a risk of maternal and fetal death and with no ideal therapy readily available. The cause of this strictly pregnancyrelated disease is still unknown and is therefore a great challenge to all researchers in the field of pregnancy-related pathophysiology.Today, the dominating theory of the origin of preeclampsia is defective initial placentation with insufficient penetration of the trophoblasts, leading to impaired maternal blood flow through narrow spiral arteries. However, the cause of this defective trophoblast behavior is not known. The maternal immune system has been proposed to have an influence on both the placentation and the subsequent systemic reactions. Therefore, it is very interesting to study the maternal immune system during preeclampsia, in hope of achieving a better understanding of this puzzling disease.Earlier studies have suggested that normal pregnancy requires a shift to a Th2/antiinflammatory type of immunity, at least directed towards the fetus and placenta, while some pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, could be due to a skewed Th1/proinflammatory type of immunity. However, the results from earlier studies designed to test the Th1/Th2 hypothesis in preeclampsia have not been consistent. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to examine if established preeclampsia is associated with increased innate inflammatory responses and a deviation of adaptive responses towards Th1 when compared with normal pregnancy.Enumerations of cytokine-producing cells from peripheral blood did not show any difference in the production of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 between women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancies. However, a decrease in the spontaneously produced levels of IL-5 was detected in cell cultures on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in women with preeclampsia. Furthermore, a decreased production of IL-10 in response to paternal antigens, believed to represent the fetus, was also detected for the preeclamptic women.Serum analysis showed increased levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6 and IL-8 during preeclampsia. Also, preeclamptic women displayed increased serum levels of the soluble IL-4 receptor, but no difference in the levels of IL-4 compared to normal pregnant women. This was an elusive finding, since the receptor was originally thought to reflect the levels of IL-4, but has recently been shown to have both agonistic and antagonistic properties on the IL-4 levels. Further studies of the local immune responses in the placenta showed no difference in the immunohistochemical staining of IL-4 and TNF-α between women with preeclampsia and women with normal pregnancies. In general, there were no hallmarks of abnormal morphology in the placental sections examined, regardless of diagnosis.In conclusion, the decreased levels of IL-10 in response to paternal antigens and the systemically increased levels of IL-6 and IL-8 suggest a specific decrease in antiinflammatory responses towards fetal antigens, together with a systemic activation of proinflammatory mediators during preeclampsia. Furthermore, the decreased production of IL-5 also indicates, at least partly, decreased Th2 responses in the established preeclampsia.
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| 5. |
- Jonsson, Yvonne, et al.
(author)
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Indications of an altered immune balance in preeclampsia : A decrease in in vitro secretion of IL-5 and IL-10 from blood mononuclear cells and in blood basophil counts compared with normal pregnancy
- 2005
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In: Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0378. ; 66:1, s. 69-84
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It has been suggested that maladaptation of the maternal immune response during pregnancy might be a causal factor for preeclampsia. This study was designed to examine the systemic immune status at both the innate level and the adaptive level in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (n = 15) and normal pregnancies (n = 15). Spontaneous and in vitro-induced secretion of IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13 and TNF-α, in response to paternal blood cells and the vaccination antigens purified protein derivate of tuberculin (PPD) and tetanus toxoid (TT), was detected in cell culture supernatants from blood mononuclear cells by ELISA. Preeclamptic women showed reduced numbers of basophil granulocytes in the blood (p = 0.004) and lower spontaneous secretion of IL-5 from blood mononuclear cells (p = 0.016). In addition, paternal antigen-induced secretion of IL-10 was decreased in preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy (p = 0.012). No further differences between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy were found for any stimuli or cytokines. The present findings of reduced basophil numbers and lower spontaneous in vitro secretion of IL-5 in preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy indicate a decrease in systemic Th2 immunity in preeclampsia. Furthermore, the decrease in paternal antigen-induced secretion of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 in preeclampsia indicates a fetus-specific decrease in immunosuppression mediated by blood mononuclear cells. Whether these systemic changes are a cause or a consequence of preeclampsia remains to be elucidated.
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| 6. |
- Matthiesen, Leif, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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Immunology of preeclampsia
- 2005
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In: Immunology of pregnancy. - Basel, Switzerland : S. Karger. - 9783805579704 - 9783318012484 ; , s. 49-61
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Preeclampsia is a placenta-dependent disorder with both local and systemic anomalies with neonatal and maternal morbidity. It is manifested late in pregnancy, but the onset is during early stages of gestation. The current hypothesis regarding the aetiology of preeclampsia is focused on maladaptation of immune responses and defective trophoblast invasion. Thus, an excessive maternal inflammatory response, perhaps directed against foreign fetal antigens, results in a chain of events including shallow trophoblast invasion, defective spiral artery remodelling, placental infarction and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and placental fragments in the systemic circulation. During normal pregnancy, trophoblasts interact in the decidua with the unique uterine NK cells, modifying their cytokine repertoire, regulating adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases. The inability of trophoblasts to accomplish these changes might be a critical factor for the onset of preeclampsia. Several cytokines, produced at the maternal-fetal interface, have an impact on trophoblast invasion. It is suggested that deficiency of interleukin-10 may contribute to enhanced inflammatory responses towards the trophoblasts elicited by e.g. tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ. Consequently, trophoblasts subjected to a high rate of apoptosis are hampered in their invasive capacity resulting in defective transformation of spiral arteries, hypoxia, thrombosis and infarction of the placenta. The ensuing infarction of placenta leads to leakage of increasing amounts of placental fragments and cytokines in the maternal circulation and an exaggerated systemic endothelial activation as identified in preeclampsia. So far, treatment of preeclampsia is focused on signs like hypertension, whereas attempts of modifying immune responses may be a possibility in the future.
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| 7. |
- Mjösberg, Jenny, et al.
(author)
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Systemic reduction of functionally suppressive CD4dimCD25highFoxp3+ Tregs in human second trimester pregnancy is induced by progesterone and 17θ-estradiol
- 2009
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In: Journal of Immunology. - : The American Association of Immunologists. - 0022-1767 .- 1550-6606. ; 183:1, s. 759-769
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells (Tregs) are implicated in the maintenance of murine pregnancy. However, reports regarding circulating Treg frequencies in human pregnancy are inconsistent, and the functionality and phenotype of these cells in pregnancy have not been clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, phenotype, and function of circulating Tregs in the second trimester of human pregnancy and the influence of progesterone and 17β-estradiol on Treg phenotype and frequency. Based on expressions of Foxp3, CD127, and HLA-DR as determined by multicolor flow cytometry, we defined a proper CD4dimCD25high Treg population and showed, in contrast to most previous reports, that this population was reduced in second trimester of pregnancy. Unexpectedly, Foxp3 expression was decreased in the Treg, as well as in the CD4+ population. These changes could be replicated in an in vitro system resembling the pregnancy hormonal milieu, where 17β-estradiol, and in particular progesterone, induced, in line with the pregnancy situation, a reduction of CD4dimCD25highFoxp3+ cells in PBMC from nonpregnant women. By coculturing FACS-sorted Tregs and autologous CD4+CD25– responder cells, we showed that Tregs from pregnant women still displayed the same suppressive capacity as nonpregnant women in terms of suppressing IL-2, TNF-, and IFN- secretion from responder cells while efficiently producing IL-4 and IL-10. Our findings support the view of hormones, particularly progesterone, as critical regulators of Tregs in pregnancy. Furthermore, we suggest that in the light of the results of this study, early data on circulating Treg frequencies in pregnancy need reevaluation.The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
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| 8. |
- Palfi, Miodrag, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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A case of severe Rh (D) alloimmunization treated by intensive plasma exchange and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin
- 2006
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In: Transfusion and apheresis science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1473-0502 .- 1878-1683. ; 35:2, s. 131-136
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In extremely severe Rh (D) alloimmunization, during pregnancy, early diagnosis and treatment is essential to avoid hydrops fetalis. Intrauterine transfusion (IUT) is of utmost importance in the prevention of fetal anemia but it is usually feasible only after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, additional treatment options in early pregnancy are needed. Study design and methods: A 27-year-old severely D + C immunized woman was admitted at 8 weeks of gestation in her fifth pregnancy with an extremely high concentration of anti-D. Her first pregnancy was uneventful but resulted in D + C alloimmunization. The next two pregnancies were unsuccessful, because of hydrops fetalis resulting in fetal death in pregnancy week 20 and 24, respectively, despite treatment with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and IUT treatment. A fourth pregnancy was terminated with legal abortion. The patient was eager and persistent to accomplish a successful pregnancy. Therefore, a combination of treatments consisting of plasma exchange (PE) three times/week and IVIG 100 g/week was started in pregnancy week 12. PE was performed 53 times and totally 159 L of plasma was exchanged. Results: The anti-D concentration was 12 μg/mL (IAT titer 2000) before start of treatment by PE and IVIG in pregnancy week 12. The concentration of anti-D was gradually reduced to approximately 3 μg/mL after only two weeks of treatment and was maintained at that level until pregnancy week 22. In pregnancy week 26 and 27, signs of hydrops were detected by ultrasonography and IUT were performed at each occasion. Sectio was inevitable at pregnancy week 28 + 1 and a male baby was born: Hb 58 g/L (cord sample) and 68 g/L (venous sample), weight 1385 g, Apgar score = 4-5-7, Bilirubin 56-150 mmol/L (4 h). Exchange transfusion was performed on day two and day five. Phototherapy was also implemented for eight days. The newborn's recovery thereafter was uneventful and complete. Conclusion: A combination of PE and IVIG may be an efficient treatment possible to start in early pregnancy in patients with extremely severe Rh (D) alloimmunization, with a history of hydrops fetalis in previous pregnancies. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
- Persson, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Increased circulating paternal antigen-specific IFN-γ- and IL-4-secreting cells during pregnancy in allergic and non-allergic women
- 2008
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In: Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0378 .- 1872-7603. ; 79:1, s. 70-78
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Allergic women have been reported to give birth to more children than non-allergic women, speculatively explained by the former's predisposition for Th2 polarization, possibly favoring pregnancy.AIM: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that allergy is associated with more Th2-deviated responses to paternal antigens throughout pregnancy.METHODS: Blood samples were collected on six occasions during pregnancy and two occasions postpartum (pp). Of the 86 women initially included, 54 women had a normal pregnancy and completed the sampling procedures. Eleven women fulfilled the strict criteria for allergy (allergic symptoms and circulating IgE antibodies to inhalant allergens) and 23 were strictly non-allergic (non-sensitized without symptoms). The numbers of blood mononuclear cells secreting IFN-gamma and IL-4, spontaneously and in response to paternal alloantigens, were compared between the groups.RESULTS: The numbers of spontaneously as well as paternal antigen-induced IFN-gamma- and IL-4-secreting cells were similar in allergic and non-allergic pregnant women on all occasions. A similar increase in the numbers of both IFN-gamma- and IL-4-secreting cells were found in allergic and non-allergic women during pregnancy, both regarding spontaneous and paternal antigen-induced secretion.CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support the hypothesis of a more pronounced Th2-deviation to paternal antigens in allergic pregnant women compared with non-allergic pregnant women, as measured by number of cytokine-secreting cells. The observed increase of both IFN-gamma- and IL-4-secreting cells during normal pregnancy may be interpreted as a Th2-situation, since the effects of IL-4 predominate over the effects of IFN-gamma.
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| 10. |
- Sandberg, Martina, et al.
(author)
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Cord blood cytokines and chemokines and development of allergic disease
- 2009
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In: PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY. - : Wiley. - 0905-6157 .- 1399-3038. ; 20:6, s. 519-527
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Exposure to ubiquitous allergens early in life, even before birth, may influence the incidence of allergic diseases later in life. During pregnancy, the fetomaternal interface is surrounded by high levels of T-helper (Th)2-like cytokines, possibly favouring the development of Th2-like immune responses in the offspring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between cord blood (CB) IgE antibodies, Th1- and Th2-like cytokines and chemokines, maternal allergy and development of allergic disease during the first 2 yr of life in the offspring. The CB cytokine and chemokine levels from children of 20 allergic and 36 non-allergic women were determined by a multiplexed Luminex assay and ELISA. Total CB and maternal IgE antibody concentrations were quantified using ImmunoCAP technology. The maternal IgE levels during and after pregnancy correlated with CB IgE and Th2-associated macrophage-derived chemokine [MDC (CCL22)] levels. Development of allergic disease and sensitization was associated with increased CB IgE and MDC (CCL22) levels, as well as high ratios of MDC (CCL22) to Th1-associated interferon-gamma inducible protein 10 [IP-10 (CXCL10)] and interferon-gamma inducible T-cell alpha-chemoattractant [I-TAC (CXCL11) (n = 7 allergic vs. n = 25 non-allergic)]. The correlations between maternal IgE and CB IgE and MDC (CCL22) levels possibly indicate that the maternal immunity can affect the Th1/Th2 profile in the neonate. Development of allergic disease is associated with a more marked Th2-like deviation already at birth, shown as increased levels of CB IgE and MDC (CCL22) and higher ratios of MDC (CCL22) to IP-10 (CXCL10) and I-TAC (CXCL11).
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