Aili Tagoma1, Kadri Haller-Kikkatalo1, Kristine Roos1, Astrid Oras1, Anne Kirss2, Jorma Ilonen3,4, Raivo Uibo1. 1. Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. 2. Women's Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia. 3. Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. 4. Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Abstract
PROBLEM: Healthy pregnancy is associated with a physiologic increase in inflammatory responses. The objective of this study was to assess changes in plasma cytokines associated with uncomplicated pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY: To examine these changes, plasma levels of immune response mediators from healthy gravidas (N = 115, gestation weeks 23-30) were compared with those from healthy non-pregnant women (N = 42). Comparisons were performed using multiplex analysis for Th1 activity-related cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, sIL-2Rα, IL-12[P70], and IL-27), Th2 activity-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), other immune response mediators (GM-CSF, IL-1β, sIL-1RI, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, TGFβ1, TGFβ2, TGFβ3, and TNFα), regulatory T cell-related cytokines (IL-10 and sTNFRII), adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, PAI-1, and resistin), chemokines (IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1β), and hematopoietic growth factor IL-7. RESULTS: Multivariate linear regression models showed increased levels of IL-7, Th1-, and Treg activity-related cytokines and decreased levels of adipokines and chemokines in healthy gravidas compared with healthy non-pregnant women. Additionally, season of the year, age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and HLA-DR/DQ genotypes for type 1 diabetes risk showed different and sometimes reciprocal influence on cytokine levels. CONCLUSION: Our study stresses the importance of profiling immune response mediators during pregnancy to better understand the effect of healthy pregnancy on cytokine levels.
PROBLEM: Healthy pregnancy is associated with a physiologic increase in inflammatory responses. The objective of this study was to assess changes in plasma cytokines associated with uncomplicated pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY: To examine these changes, plasma levels of immune response mediators from healthy gravidas (N = 115, gestation weeks 23-30) were compared with those from healthy non-pregnant women (N = 42). Comparisons were performed using multiplex analysis for Th1 activity-related cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, sIL-2Rα, IL-12[P70], and IL-27), Th2 activity-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), other immune response mediators (GM-CSF, IL-1β, sIL-1RI, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, TGFβ1, TGFβ2, TGFβ3, and TNFα), regulatory T cell-related cytokines (IL-10 and sTNFRII), adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, PAI-1, and resistin), chemokines (IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1β), and hematopoietic growth factor IL-7. RESULTS: Multivariate linear regression models showed increased levels of IL-7, Th1-, and Treg activity-related cytokines and decreased levels of adipokines and chemokines in healthy gravidas compared with healthy non-pregnant women. Additionally, season of the year, age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and HLA-DR/DQ genotypes for type 1 diabetes risk showed different and sometimes reciprocal influence on cytokine levels. CONCLUSION: Our study stresses the importance of profiling immune response mediators during pregnancy to better understand the effect of healthy pregnancy on cytokine levels.
Authors: Mackenzie J Dickson; Jeanette V Bishop; Thomas R Hansen; I Martin Sheldon; John J Bromfield Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-03-31 Impact factor: 3.240