The association of IL-3, IL-17A, and IL 27 serum levels with susceptibility to toxoplasmosis in recurrent abortion of Iraqi women

Investigation of the Relationship Between IL-17, IL-27, IL-2 Blood Levels in Spontaneous Abortion and Healthy Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND

Cytokines are essential for regulating immune cell activity during pregnancy. Research shows that CD4+ T-cells exhibit specific cytokine secretion patterns, resulting in polarized immune responses. This study aims to compare the gene expression levels of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in women with normal pregnancies versus those with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).

METHODS

In this case-control study, 20 patients with RSA within 24 h of their last abortion were compared to 20 pregnant women with no history of abortion (Control Group). Cytokine levels of IL-2, IL-17, and IL-27 were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Overall cytokine levels were similar between the groups, but the cytokine levels in both groups were generally similar. However, higher IL-17 and IL-2 levels were observed in the healthy pregnancy group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001, respectively). Elevated IL-17 and IL-27 levels were observed in healthy pregnancies, whereas lower levels were seen shortly after a miscarriage. IL-27 levels were significantly higher in women with recurrent abortions compared to those with healthy pregnancies (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated IL-2 levels may be a risk factor for RSA. Consistent with recent studies, our findings emphasize the role of IL-17 and IL-27 as crucial regulatory cytokines for maintaining a successful pregnancy.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Etiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management. Fresh Look into a Full Box

Recurrent pregnancy loss is a complex health challenge with no universally accepted definition. Inconsistency in definitions involves not only the number of spontaneous abortions (two or three) that are accepted for recurrent pregnancy loss but the types of pregnancy and gestational age at miscarriage. Due to the heterogeneity of definitions and criteria applied by international guidelines for recurrent pregnancy loss, the true incidence of recurrent miscarriage, which is reported to range from 1% to 5%, is difficult to estimate. Moreover, the exact etiology of recurrent pregnancy loss remains questionable; thus, it is considered a polyetiological and multifactorial condition with many modifiable and non-modifiable factors involved. Even after thoroughly evaluating recurrent pregnancy loss etiology and risk factors, up to 75% of cases remain unexplained. This review aimed to summarize and critically analyze accumulated knowledge on the etiology, risk factors, relevant diagnostic options, and management approach to recurrent pregnancy loss. The relevance of various factors and their proposed roles in recurrent pregnancy loss pathogenesis remains a matter of discussion. The diagnostic approach and the management largely depend on the etiology and risk factors taken into consideration by a healthcare professional as a cause of recurrent miscarriage for a particular woman or couple. Underestimation of social and health consequences of recurrent pregnancy loss leads to compromised reproductive health and psychological well-being of women after miscarriage. Studies on etiology and risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss, especially idiopathic, should be continued. The existing international guidelines require updates to assist clinical practice.

Molecular investigation of association between common IL-6 polymorphism with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and recurrent miscarriage in Iranian women

BACKGROUND

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is described as two or more spontaneous abortions. To date, scientists in various fields of knowledge, such as genetics, endocrinology, anatomy, immunology, and microbiology, have identified some important factors that affect abortions; nonetheless, the precise basic etiology is not determined in up to 50% of RPL cases. Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and host genetic background, like IL-6 SNP polymorphisms, play important roles in RPL etiology.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the relationships among single nucleotide polymorphisms (-634C/G and -174 G/C) in the IL-6 gene with CMV infection and the risk of RPL for early detection and treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case-control study was carried on 80 Iranian females with RPL and 80 healthy females as controls. DNA was extracted from samples and CMV and IL6 SNPs were detected using Tetra ARMS-PCR. Statistics were analyzed by Epi Info TM and SPSS software by X2 test for the roles of CMV detection and two polymorphisms in RPL.

RESULTS

The results indicated an increased rate of CMV infection in the RPL group (44%) compared to the control group (25.45%). The prevalence of IL-6-634C/G genotype among RPL patients with CMV infection was 80%, while the frequency of this genotype among RPL patients without CMV infection was 50%. Furthermore, no substantial relation was found between IL-6-174 G/C genotypes and RPL (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

This study not only indicated a significant role for CMV in RPL, but also showed an association between CMV and allele G in IL6-634 among Iranian women. In addition, the findings suggested the use of CMV and IL-6-634 GG genotypes as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for RPL in the Iranian population.