Evaluation of Immunological Parameters in Pregnant Women: Low Levels of B and NK Cells

• Published in: Revista Brasileira de ginecologia e obstetrícia Vol. 41; no. 4; pp. 213 - 219
• Main Authors: de Carvalho Schettini, Juliana Araújo, Gomes, Thomás Virgílio, Júnior, Claudeir Dias da Silva, Heráclio, Sandra de Andrade, Coelho, Isabela Cristina Coutinho de Albuquerque Neiva, Torres, Leuridan Cavalcante
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda 01-04-2019; Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; B-lymphocytes; Cross-Sectional Studies; Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; immunophenotyping; Killer Cells, Natural - physiology; NK cell; OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY; Original; pregnancy; Pregnancy - blood; Pregnancy - immunology; Pregnancy Trimesters; reference range; Reference Values; Retrospective Studies; T-Lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes - physiology; Young Adult; células NK; intervalo de referência; B-lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes; linfócitos T; immunophenotyping; gravidez; NK cell; pregnancy; reference range; linfócitos B; imunofenotipagem
• ISSN: 0100-7203; 1806-9339; 1806-9339
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1683903

To describe the immunological and hematological reference intervals of low-risk pregnant women.
 A cross-sectional retrospective database analysis of a basic and translational study analyzing the hematological evaluation blood counts and immunophenotyping of TCD3 + , TCD4 + , TCD8 + , B, and natural killer (NK) cells of the peripheral blood in 79 low-risk pregnant women and of 30 control women from the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, was performed.
 No significant differences were detected between the hematological profiles of the 2
and 3
trimesters. Nevertheless, the median level of B cells decreased significantly in the 2
(174 × 10
µL;
 < 0.002) and 3
trimesters (160 × 10
µL;
 < 0.001), compared with the control group (296 × 10
µL). Similarly, the median level of NK cells was lower in the 2
(134 × 10
µL;
 < 0.0004) and 3
trimesters (100 × 10
µL,
 < 0.0004), compared with the control group (183 × 10
µL). In contrast, relative TCD4+ and TCD8+ levels increased in the 2
and 3
trimesters compared with the controls (TCD4 + : 2
trimester = 59%;
 < 0.001; 3
trimester = 57%;
 < 0.01; control = 50%; and TCD8 + : 2
trimester = 31%;
 < 0.001; 3
trimester = 36%;
 < 0.01; control = 24%).
 Low-risk pregnant women have ∼ 40% less B and NK cells in the peripheral blood, compared with non-pregnant women. These parameters may improve health assistance for mothers and contribute to define reference values for normal pregnancies.