Natural killer T cells from peripheral blood of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells by secreting interleukin-17

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotype and function of NKT cells and the effect of NKT cells on the functions of vascular endothelial cells. The study included 30 pregnant women with hypertension and 20 pregnant women with normal delivery. Peripheral blood and placental tissues were collected from all patients and control subjects. Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood and tissues. NKT cell ratio, expression of surface receptors and expression of effector molecules were detected by flow cytometry. Culture supernatant of NKT cells was collected and co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay, and migration, by transwell assay. The results showed elevated ratios of NKT and NK cells in peripheral blood and placental tissues from women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) compared with women with normal pregnancies. The expression of NKp30, NKG2D and NKG2A receptors on the surface of NKT cells from women with PIH was altered: the ratio of CD4+ NKT cells was increased but the ratio of CD8+ NKT cells was decreased. The ratios of GranB+ NKT cells in peripheral blood, IFN-γ-positive T cells in placental tissues and IL-17-positive NKT cells in both peripheral blood and placental tissues were elevated in PIH patients. The present study demonstrated that the ratio and activity of NKT cells from peripheral blood and placental tissues of women with PIH were elevated. In addition, NKT cells from peripheral blood of PIH patients inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells by secreting IL-17.