Evaluation of T-cell receptor CD3⁺γδ in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Few studies have shown a significant increase of D3⁺ T-cell receptor (TCR) γδ in the early phases of type 1 diabetes. We wished to determine if CD3⁺ TCR γδ is involved in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We studied 29 GDM patients and 21 normal pregnant women. Lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3⁺ TCR αδ, CD3⁺ TCR γδ), islet cell antibodies (ICA), glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD) and protein tyrosine phosphatase antibodies (IA₂-Ab) were evaluated in all patients. The percentage of CD3⁺ TCR γδ was significantly higher in GDM women than in the control group (5.1 ± 2.9% vs. 3.7 ± 1.7%, p < 0.05%). No abnormalities of the other lymphocyte subpopulations were found. All subjects were negative for ICA; 2 GDM patients wer positive for GAD, but no relationship was found between GAD positivity and CD3⁺γδ levels in these 2 patients. Further follow-up studies of these patients are required to verify if the CD3⁺ TCR γδ receptor is a useful marker for diabetes development.