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Xu QH, Liu H, Wang LL, Zhu Q, Zhang YJ, Muyayalo KP, Liao AH. Roles of γδT cells in pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13487. [PMID: 34331364 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A successful pregnancy is a complex and unique process comprised of discrete events, including embryo implantation, placentation, and parturition. To maintain the balance between maternal-fetal immune tolerance and resistance to infections, the maternal immune system must have a high degree of stage-dependent plasticity throughout the period of pregnancy. Innate immunity is the frontline force for the establishment of early anti-infection and tolerance mechanisms in mammals. Belonging to the innate immune system, a subset of T cells called γδT cells (based on γδT cell receptors) are the main participants in immune surveillance and immune defense. Unlike traditional αβT cells, γδT cells are regarded as a bridge between innate immunity and acquired immunity. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the functional plasticity of γδT cells during pregnancy. Furthermore, we discuss the roles of γδT cells in pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Han Xu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Ling Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Zhu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Jing Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kahindo P Muyayalo
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ai-Hua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Nörenberg J, Jaksó P, Barakonyi A. Gamma/Delta T Cells in the Course of Healthy Human Pregnancy: Cytotoxic Potential and the Tendency of CD8 Expression Make CD56+ γδT Cells a Unique Lymphocyte Subset. Front Immunol 2021; 11:596489. [PMID: 33603738 PMCID: PMC7884463 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.596489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, pregnancy is an immunological paradox. The semi-allogenic fetus must be accepted by the maternal immune system, while defense against pathogens and immune surveillance cannot be compromised. Gamma/delta T cells are believed to play an important role in this immunological puzzle. In this study, we analyzed peripheral blood CD56+ γδT cells from pregnant women (1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester) and non-pregnant women by multicolor flow cytometry. Interestingly, γδT cells represent almost half of CD3+/CD56+ cells. Among γδT cells, the CD56+ population expands in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. CD56+ γδT cells maintained a predominantly CD4–/CD8– or CD8+ phenotype, while CD56– γδT cells were in similar rates CD4–/CD8– or CD4+ during pregnancy. Investigation of the lysosomal degranulation marker CD107a revealed a preserved elevated rate of potentially cytotoxic CD56+ γδT cells in pregnancy, while their cytotoxic strength was reduced. Furthermore, CD56+ γδT cells continuously showed a higher prevalence of PD-1 expression. CD56+ γδT cells’ rate of PD-1 increased in the 1st trimester and decreased hereafter back to normal level. We correlated the cytotoxic potential and the expression of the inhibitory immune checkpoint PD-1 and were able to demonstrate that highly cytotoxic cells within this CD56+ γδT population tend to express PD-1, which might allow the inhibition of these cells after binding its ligand in the placenta. These findings should support the understanding of the complex processes, which ensure the maintenance of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Nörenberg
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Pál Jaksó
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Alíz Barakonyi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Abbasi F, Kodani M, Emori C, Kiyozumi D, Mori M, Fujihara Y, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing Reveals Oosp Family Genes are Dispensable for Female Fertility in Mice. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040821. [PMID: 32231122 PMCID: PMC7226750 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
There are over 200 genes that are predicted to be solely expressed in the oocyte and ovary, and thousands more that have expression patterns in the female reproductive tract. Unfortunately, many of their physiological functions, such as their roles in oogenesis or fertilization, have yet to be elucidated. Previous knockout (KO) mice studies have proven that many of the genes that were once thought to be essential for fertility are dispensable in vivo. Therefore, it is extremely important to confirm the roles of all genes before spending immense time studying them in vitro. To do this, our laboratory analyzes the functions of ovary and oocyte-enriched genes in vivo through generating CRISPR/Cas9 KO mice and examining their fertility. In this study, we have knocked out three Oosp family genes (Oosp1, Oosp2, and Oosp3) that have expression patterns linked to the female reproductive system and found that the triple KO (TKO) mutant mice generated exhibited decreased prolificacy but were not infertile; thus, these genes may potentially be dispensable for fertility. We also generated Cd160 and Egfl6 KO mice and found these genes are individually dispensable for female fertility. KO mice with no phenotypic data are seldom published, but we believe that this information must be shared to prevent unnecessary experimentation by other laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferheen Abbasi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (F.A.); (M.K.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (M.M.); (Y.F.)
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (F.A.); (M.K.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (M.M.); (Y.F.)
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Chihiro Emori
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (F.A.); (M.K.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (M.M.); (Y.F.)
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Daiji Kiyozumi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (F.A.); (M.K.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (M.M.); (Y.F.)
| | - Masashi Mori
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (F.A.); (M.K.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (M.M.); (Y.F.)
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Hyogo 6500047, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (F.A.); (M.K.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (M.M.); (Y.F.)
- Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (F.A.); (M.K.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (M.M.); (Y.F.)
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1088639, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-6-6879-8375; Fax: +81-6-6879-8376
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TIM-3 and TIM-1 Could Regulate Decidual γδTCR Bright T Cells during Murine Pregnancy. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:3836942. [PMID: 31236420 PMCID: PMC6545878 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3836942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is an immunological enigma where paternal antigens are present at the fetomaternal interface. What regulates the local immunotolerance, which is necessary to prevent rejection of the conceptus, is still under strong investigation. Gamma/delta T cells are believed to play a role in the local regulation of this immunotolerance towards the semiallogenic fetus. Gamma/delta T cells from the uterus and spleen of pregnant and nonpregnant mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. We confirmed that the rate of γδT cells in the decidua increases during murine pregnancy and half of decidual γδT cells are CD4+. Furthermore, we found a unique association of CD4 or CD8 coreceptor expression with their γδTCR intensity, where in all investigated groups CD4- or CD8-positive γδT cells seemed principally to be γδTCRdim. In addition, compared to peripheral γδT lymphocytes, a greater proportion of decidual γδT cells expressed the cytotoxic marker CD107a and markers of Th1 or Th2 polarization (TIM-3, TIM-1), where decidual γδTCRbright cells were characterized by high TIM-3 and TIM-1 receptor expression. On the other hand, no difference in the expression of CD160, a receptor with dual function affecting cytotoxicity and T cell inhibition, was detected. Within lymphocytes expressing CD107a, TIM-1, or CD160, the rate of γδT cells was significantly higher in the decidua. According to our results, cytotoxic potential of decidual γδTCRbright cells could be regulated by TIM-3 ligation, while the TIM-1 receptor seems to be able to influence the Th1-Th2 balance at the fetomaternal interface. These mechanisms could play a part in the active maternal immunotolerance towards the fetus, allowing an efficient protection against pathogens during healthy murine pregnancy.
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