Summary
The proportion of human peripheral B- and T-lymphocytes of pregnant women was studied by immunofluorescence and rosette tests. No significant difference between pregnant women and controls was found in the absolute number of circulating T-cells. A slight increase in the absolute number of B-cells was observed in pregnancy. The percentage of total RFC was the same in pregnant women and in controls whereas the percentage of stable RFC and PHA induced RFC decreased in pregnancy. The conclusion of the results was drawn that the depression of maternal immunity may depend on other factors than the decreased proliferation of T-cells.
Zusammenfassung
Mit der Immunfluoreszenz und dem Rosetten Test wurden die Anteile der menschlichen B- und T-Lymphocyten des Blutes in der Schwangerschaft untersucht. Kein Unterschied wurde zwischen Graviden und Kontrollen in der absoluten Zahl der T-Lymphocyten gefunden. Der Prozentsatz der totalen rosettenbildenden Zellen ist bei Schwangeren und Kontrollen ähnlich. Die absolute Zahl der B-Lymphocyten ist vergrößert und die stabile und PHA-induzierte Rosettenbildung in der Schwangerschaft vermindert. Daraus wird der Schluß gezogen, daß die Ursache der cellulären Immunsuppression in der Schwangerschaft nicht eine verminderte Proliferation der T-Lymphocyten ist.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Andresen, R.H., Monroe, C.W.: Experimental study of the behaviour of adult skin homograft during pregnancy: a preliminary report. Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec.84, 1096–1103 (1962)
Finn, R.S., Hill, C.A., Goven, A.J., Ralfs, I.G., Gurney, R.J., Denye, V.: Immunological responsiveness in pregnancy and survival of fetal homograft. Brit. med. J.1972 III, 150–152
Gergely, P., Szegedi, Gy., Szabó, G., Fekete, B., Petrányi, Gy.: Rosette stimulation by plant mitogens. Lancet,1973 II, 914
Kasakura, S.: A factor in maternal plasma during pregnancy that suppresses the reactivity of mixed leukocyte cultures. J. Immunol.107, 1296–1301 (1971)
Lichtenstein, M.R.: Tuberculin reaction in tuberculosis during pregnancy. Amer. Rev. Tuberc.46, 89–92 (1942)
Maráz, A., Petri, G.: Inhibition of lymphocyte DNA synthesis in pregnancy. Lancet1973 I, 212
Papamichail, M., Brown, J.C., Holborow, E.J.: Immunoglobulins on the surface of human lymphocytes. Lancet1971 II, 850–852
Purtilo, D.T., Hallgren, M.H., Yunis, E.J.: Depressed maternal lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin in human pregnancy. Lancet1972 I, 769–771
Smith, J.K., Caspary, E.A., Field, E.J.: Immune responses in pregnancy. Lancet1972 I, 96
Thong, Y.H., Steele, R.W., Vincent, M.M., Hanses, S.A., Bellanti, J.A.: Impaired in vitro cell-mediated immunity to rubella virus during pregnancy. New Engl. J. Med.289, 604–606 (1973)
Watkins, S.M.: Lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin in pregnancy. J. Obstet. Gynaec. Brit. Cwlth.79, 990–993 (1972)
Wybran, J., Fudenberg, H.H.: Thymus-derived rosette-forming cells in various human disease states: cancer, lymphoma, bacterial and viral infections, and other diseases. J. clin. Invest.52, 1026–1032 (1973)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gergely, P., Dzvonyár, J., Szegedi, G. et al. T and B lymphocytes in pregnancy. Klin Wochenschr 52, 601–602 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01468504
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01468504