11 Fetomaternal and peripheral immune status in preeclamptic and normotensive oocyte donation cases

Abstract

Oocyte donation (OD) is a high risk for preeclampsia because a fetus is a complete allograft to the maternal host. However the differences of immune status between preeclamptic OD cases and normotensive OD cases have not been clarified. Objective To clarify the immunological differences between preeclamptic OD cases and normotensive OD cases. Methods Deciduel CD3+Tcells, CD4+Tcells, CD8+Tcells, Foxp3+Treg cells CD56+NK cells and CD68+ macrophage were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Peripheral blood effector Treg cells were evaluated by flow cytometry in 5 preeclamptic OD cases and 16 normotensive OD cases. Results The populations of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Foxp3+ Treg cells, CD56+ NK cells and CD68+ macrophage in placental bed biopsy samples of OD cases were significantly lower compare to those in normal pregnancy subjects. Those levels in preeclamptic OD cases were similar to those in normotensive OD cases. Same findings were observed in preeclamptic cases in natural conception. Vascular remodeling of spiral arteries was very poor in OD cases regardless of the presence of preeclampsia. These findings were quite similar to those in preeclampsia of natural conception. Peripheral blood-effector Treg cells was significantly decreased in preeclampsia, but these levels in OD pregnancies were not changed in preeclamptic OD cases and normotensive OD cases. Conclusion Poor vascular remodeling and some of the immunological changes were observed in uncomplicated OD pregnancy, but we have not yet identified the crucial factors that lead to preeclampsia in OD pregnancy.