Feto-maternal interface in T helper 1-type and T helper 2-type immunity in labor

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between Th (T helper) cells in maternal and umbilical cord blood in normal delivery. The percentage of Th1 and Th2 cells and the Th1:Th2 cell ratios in maternal peripheral and umbilical venous blood from 61 normal singleton pregnancies at delivery at 37-41 weeks' gestation were calculated using flow cytometry. The proportion of Th cells and the Th1:Th2 ratio in the maternal blood were not correlated with those in the cord blood. Our results indicate that the proportion of Th cells in cord blood does not depend on that of maternal Th cells at labor.